US20040244318A1

US20040244318A1 - Overhead display system

Info

Publication number: US20040244318A1
Application number: US10/850,148
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark Furr
Original assignee: IN-SITE CREATIVE CONCEPTS Inc
Current assignee: IN-SITE CREATIVE CONCEPTS Inc
Priority date: 2003-06-06
Filing date: 2004-05-20
Publication date: 2004-12-09

Abstract

An overhead display system for suspension from a suspended ceiling. One such overhead display includes a cradle formed of a flexible cradle body and a header attached to the cradle body. The overhead display may also include rigid end caps which are detachably attached from the cradle. The cradle is suspended from the support members of the suspended ceiling by a number of clips. The clips may be designed to suspend the display system underneath a suspended ceiling light fixture. Flexible sheets of advertising indicia may be hung from the clips on the inside of the hollow enclosure of the cradle.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application entitled, “LIGHTED ADVERTISEMENT MODULE FOR A DROP CEILING,” having Ser. No. 60/476,590, filed on Jun. 6, 2003, which is entirely incorporated by reference.[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an overhead display system, and more specifically, to a display system which may be suspended from a suspended ceiling.

BACKGROUND

The ability to attract and easily view the indicia of an advertisement or directional sign is desirable for an effective display. Advertising space in stores is very limited and can be costly, particularly when the advertising takes up valuable floor space. Additionally, graphic displays are frequently exchanged for new displays in response to events such as seasonal changes, markdowns, or revisions to a retailer's product line. Directional and informational signs are also updated from time to time. Unfortunately, many display devices require tools for installation and removal of outdated displays when these events happen. The added difficulty can add to the expense and time required to maintain these displays with current information.

Therefore, a display system for indicia such as advertising, directional, or other information that can be easily updated without the need for special tools is needed. Additionally, a display device which can be placed in a location that does not consume expensive floor space to display the indicia can also be advantageous.

SUMMARY

Devices for displaying indicia from a suspended ceiling are provided.

One embodiment of an overhead display system for suspension from a suspended ceiling includes a cradle formed of a flexible cradle body and a cradle header attached to an edge of the cradle. The overhead display system also includes a rigid end cap configured to be detachably attached to the cradle. The end cap also includes an end-cap header attached to an edge of the end cap.

Another embodiment includes a cradle formed of a flexible cradle body, a rigid end cap configured to be detachably attached to the cradle, and a clip for attaching the cradle to the overhead grid of a suspended ceiling.

Another embodiment of a display device includes a flexible hollow shell having at least one open end mounted to a grid of a suspended ceiling. The device further includes a rigid end cap attached to the hollow shell that closes the open end of the flexible hollow shell.

Other systems, methods, features and/or advantages will be or may become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and/or advantages be included within this description and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. [0010]
FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of an overhead display device suspended from a suspended ceiling. [0011]
FIG. 2 is a plan view of an exemplary cradle of the display device of FIG. 1 before suspending the display device from the suspended ceiling. [0012]
FIG. 3 is a plan view of an exemplary end cap of the display device of FIG. 1 before suspending the device from the suspended ceiling. [0013]
FIG. 4 is a plan view of exemplary flexible sheets of indicia which may be installed within the cradle of the display device of FIG. 1. [0014]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary clip as used in FIG. 1 to suspend the display device from the suspended ceiling. [0015]
FIG. 6 is a cut-out, close-up view of an attached portion of the display device of FIG. 1 when attached to a suspended ceiling using an exemplary attachment clip to suspend the display device below a suspended ceiling light fixture. [0016]
FIG. 7A and 7B depict a close-up view of the cradle and cradle header of FIG. 2 and the end cap of FIG. 3, depicting an exemplary installation sequence for attaching the end cap to the cradle, as shown in FIG. 1, when the display device is suspended from a suspended ceiling. [0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be described in detail here, embodiments of an overhead display can be useful for displaying advertising, directional, or informational indicia. The overhead display can be suspended from a suspended ceiling. Suspended ceilings, also known as suspended ceilings, are typically formed by constructing a grid of parallel and perpendicular support members which intersect to form an arrangement of rectangles or squares. Each void formed by the intersecting support members is designed to hold decorative tiles of similar size suspended a distance above the floor. Other peripheral fixtures such as lighting fixtures, air handling vents, and security cameras can be substituted for the ceiling tiles. Suspended ceilings are commonly used in office space and retail outlets because of the ability to easily interchange tiles and maintain access to the area above the suspended ceiling, while providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance from below. [0018]
FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a suspended [0019] display device 8 attached to the grid 10 of parallel and perpendicular support members 12 which intersect to form an arrangement of rectangles or squares of a suspended ceiling. Suspended display 8 generally comprises a cradle 14, a first end cap 16, a second end cap 18 (obscured in FIG. 1), and clips 20 for attaching display 8 to the support members 12 of grid 10. Cradle 14 includes a flexible cradle body 22 and a cradle header 24. When the display device is attached to the suspended ceiling, cradle 14 forms a flexible hollow shell with two open ends. A flexible sheet of indicia 30 may be positioned within the hollow interior of the suspended display 8 for the display of advertising or other information.
The open ends of the flexible hollow shell formed by [0020] cradle 14 may be covered to enclose the hollow shell by attaching end caps 16 and 18 to the cradle 14. Each of end caps 16 and 18 are identical and, therefore, any further description of end cap 16 will also apply to end cap 18. As shown, end cap 16 includes an end-cap body 26 and an end-cap header 28, which will be described in more detail below.
One potential advantage of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is the ability for a viewer to see the end caps and cradle body, and any indicia on associated with the end caps and cradle body, even when viewing from directly below the display device. [0021] End caps 16 and 18 are installed such that the surface of the end cap displaying indicia is not perpendicular to the surface of the suspended ceiling tiles. Rather, the surface is angled inwardly, towards the cradle, such that the viewer can view the end cap if standing directly underneath the panel, and when viewing the display from below, at least a portion of one end cap may be viewable from any angle.
Further, when suspended from a suspended ceiling, [0022] flexible cradle body 22 is bent to curve from a first attachment point defined by the location where clip 20 attaches to a first support member 12 of the suspended ceiling, to a second attachment point (obscured in FIG. 1) defined by where a second clip 20 attaches to a second support member 12 parallel to the first support member. The curved surface of the installed cradle body 22 allows the surface of the cradle body to be viewed from any angle when viewed from below the sign.
Suspended [0023] display 8 may be suspended below a suspended ceiling light fixture for illuminating the hollow interior of the display device formed by the cradle 14 and end caps 16 and 18. Thus, suspended display 8 provides an effective stand-alone display system that requires no additional power to illuminate, is easily installed into existing suspended ceilings without the need for special tools, and is viewable from below in all directions.
Looking now to FIG. 2, [0024] exemplary cradle 14 of FIG. 1 is shown before being suspended from the suspended ceiling. The flexible cradle body 22 may be constructed of a sheet of clear or translucent plastic polycarbonate such as that sold under the trade name Lexan. The sheet of plastic polycarbonate may be of a thickness providing substantial flexibility, such as, but not limited to, a thickness between 0.015 and 0.020 inches. Flexible cradle body 22 includes two tapering edges which form cradle body 22 into an hourglass shape. Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the cradle includes two opposing parallel, straight edges and two opposing inwardly arcuate edges. Flexible cradle body 22 may include a slit 34 for hanging the cradle from clips 20. The slits 34 may also be formed within cradle header 24.
[0025] Cradle header 24 may be used to provide more strength to edges of the cradle for added durability of the display device. While the cradle header 24 is not required, the cradle header may be attached to cradle body 22 for distributing the weight of the display device across clips 20. The cradle header 24 acts as the intermediary between clips 20 and the cradle. The cradle header 28 may be constructed of a number of various materials including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, or wood. One exemplary plastic is formed of a sheet of closed-cell, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), such as that sold under trademark Sintra. The sheet of PVC may be of a thickness providing even more strength to the cradle, such as a thickness of ⅛ inch, for example.
[0026] Cradle header 24 may also add rigidity to the edges of the display device nearest to the attachment points of the ceiling. This rigidity is beneficial to prevent the edges of cradle body 22 closest to the ceiling from sagging, while allowing the remainder of cradle body 22 to remain flexible.
[0027] Cradle header 24 may be attached to cradle body 22 using an adhesive such as double sided tape. However, flexible cradle body 22 may be attached to cradle header 24 by any number of well known methods such as screws, bolts, nails, crimping, rivets, or other adhesive means. Cradle header 24 also includes apertures 32 for hanging end cap 16 within the suspended display 8. These apertures may be tear-drop shaped to secure the end cap 16 to the cradle during installation, as will be described in more detail below.
Looking now to FIG. 3, [0028] end cap 16 includes end-cap body 26 and end-cap header 28. End-cap body 26 may be constructed of a number of various materials including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, or wood. One exemplary plastic is a sheet of plastic polycarbonate such as that sold under trademark Lexan. In an exemplary embodiment the sheet of plastic polycarbonate may be of a thickness providing a more rigid structure, such as a thickness of 0.070 inches, for example. In another embodiment, end-cap body 26 may also be constructed of a clear, translucent, or an opaque acrylic (polymethyl methacrylate) sheet such as that sold under the trademark Plexiglas. The sheet of acrylic may also be of a thickness providing a rigid structure, such as a thickness of ⅛ inches, for example. Additionally, in some embodiments, the end caps could also be constructed of a vacuum formed plastic to present a three-dimensional appearance.
Indicia, such as that for advertising or directional information, may be directly printed on or embossed into the end-[0029] cap body 26 itself, or separate sheets of indicia may be secured behind the end cap for viewing through a clear or translucent end cap.
[0030] End cap 16 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3 is formed in a half-ellipse shape. The half-ellipse is formed by a substantially straight first edge 35 and a second arcuate edge 37 extending from each end of the first edge 35. The first, substantially straight edge 35 is parallel with the ceiling when the display device is installed and end cap 16 is attached to the cradle. When exemplary display device 8 is installed below a suspended ceiling end cap 16 may be attached to each end of the cradle 14. When end cap 16 is installed the flexible cradle body 22 forms to the shape of the end cap 16. Thus, when the display device is installed in the suspended ceiling and end cap 16 is installed, the contour of the flexible cradle body 22 forms around the shape of the second, arcuate edge 37 as shown in FIG. 1.
Thus, while the end caps may be described as rigid, the term is not to be used in the strict sense, but rather the term defines a characteristic of the end cap relative to the flexible cradle body. A rigid end cap is able to maintain the shape of the flexible cradle body to the end cap contour. Likewise, the flexibility of [0031] cradle 14 refers to the pliability of the cradle to assume the contour of the rigid end cap.
While [0032] exemplary end cap 16 has been described and depicted in FIG. 3 as being formed in a half-ellipse shape, end cap 16 could be formed in a number of alternative shapes such as, but not limited to, a half-cylinder, a square, a rectangle, or a triangle.
End-[0033] cap header 28 may be used to provide even more stiffness and/or strength to the end cap 16. The end-cap header 28 may be constructed of a number of various materials including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, or wood. One exemplary plastic is a sheet of plastic formed of closed-cell, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) such as that sold under trademark Sintra. While a wide range of thickness may be used, in an exemplary embodiment the sheet of PVC may be of a thickness providing even more strength and rigidity to the end cap, such as a thickness of ⅛ inch, for example.
End-[0034] cap header 28 is attached to the edge of cradle body 22 using an adhesive such as glue or double sided tape. However, end-cap body 26 may be attached to end-cap header 28 by any number of well known methods such as, but not limited to, screws, bolts, nails, crimping, rivets, glue, or other adhesive means.
In one embodiment, end-[0035] cap header 28 may include L-shaped tabs 36 which may be inserted within the apertures 32 of cradle header 24. If an end-cap header is not included in the display device, L-shaped tabs 36 may be a part of, or attached to, the end-cap body itself. L-shaped tabs 36 and the associated apertures 32, provide an easy system for installing the end cap to the cradle without the need for special tools. Additionally, end cap 16 may be easily removed to interchange any indicia within or on the display device. While end cap 16 is described as having L-shaped tabs 36 used to attach the end cap to the cradle, a number of alternative methods of attaching the end cap 16 to cradle 14 may be implemented including, but not limited to, bolts, nails, crimping, rivets, snaps, adhesives, or hook and loop type fasteners such as that sold under the name Velcro.
Looking now to FIG. 4, flexible sheets of [0036] indicia 30 are depicted separately from the display device. The flexible sheets of indicia 30 may be constructed of various materials which may used for displaying indicia. For example, the flexible sheets of indicia may be constructed of a thin plastic sheeting that conforms to the shape of cradle body when hung from the suspended ceiling. As shown, graphics 30 may be cut in the shape of a half hourglass, with each half associated with one side of the cradle 14. However, other embodiments may use a number of alternate shapes. For example, the flexible sheet of indicia 30 may be cut into a full hourglass shape matching the entire surface area of flexible cradle body 22.
When the cradle is suspended from the suspended ceiling and the flexible sheets of [0037] indicia 30 are placed within the hollow body, the sheets 30 conform to the shape of the cradle body 22. Thus, the flexible sheets of indicia 30 form a layer on the cradle body, inside the hollow display. If a sheet of indicia 30 is selected that is not flexible enough to conform to the shape of the cradle body by merely positioning the sheets within the cradle, the sheet of indicia could be bent, or otherwise shaped to do so. The flexible sheet of indicia 30 may also include slits 38 which may be used to hang the sheet of indicia within the hollow body of the suspended display 8. For example, the sheet of indicia may be hung from clips 20 through slits 38 to hold the sheets in position, as will be described in more detail below.
Looking now to FIG. 5, a perspective view of an [0038] exemplary clip 20 for hanging the display device from the suspended ceiling is depicted. Clip 20 forms two portions. A first U-shaped portion 40 is for attachment to a support member 12 (FIG. 1). U-shaped portion 40 of clip 20 includes a first horizontal wall 43, a second horizontal wall 45, and a third vertical wall 47. Clip 20 also includes hook portion 42 for retaining cradle 14 (FIG. 3) and the flexible sheet of indicia 30 (FIG. 4). Clip 20 also includes a tip portion 49 for receiving cradle 14 and the flexible sheet of indicia 30. Clip 20 may be constructed of various materials with characteristics that provide adequate strength to hold the weight of the display device including, but not limited to, plastic or metal. The exemplary clip depicted in FIG. 5. is constructed of steel banding material with a thickness of approximately 0.020 inches and a width of approximately ½ inch. However, other combinations of materials, widths, and thicknesses may be used.
Looking now to FIG. 6, a cut-out side view depicting an attachment point of the suspended display to a [0039] support member 12 of the suspended ceiling grid is depicted. To attach clip 20 to the grid support member 12, ceiling tile 44 is briefly lifted such that the U-shaped portion 40 of clip 20 may be positioned on each side of the horizontal portion of the T-shaped grid support.
When the clips are attached to the [0040] grid support member 12, the ceiling tile 44 is lowered back into place. The vertical third wall 47 of clip 20 is positioned between a vertical wall of ceiling tile 47 and a vertical wall of the T-shaped grid support. Thus, ceiling tile 44 holds clip 20 in place by preventing third wall 47 from slipping off T-shaped member 12.
The distance between the horizontal portions of the [0041] first wall 43 and the second wall 45 of clip 20 is generally selected to conform to be slightly wider than the thickness of the horizontal portion of T-shaped support 12. However, an even wider distance can be used to enable the use of the clip with grids using thicker grid supports.
[0042] Hook portion 42 of clip 20 is bent for attaching cradle 14 to the clip and also for supporting the flexible sheet of indicia 30 within the hollow enclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, hook portion 42 is inserted through the slits 34 of cradle body 22, and also supports the cradle by resting the cradle header in the hook. In alternative embodiments, the slits may appear in the cradle header only, the cradle header and the cradle body, or neither. For example, in an embodiment in which slits 34 are neither in the cradle body nor the cradle header, hook portion 42 may be inserted between the cradle header and the cradle body.
When [0043] cradle 14 is supported by clip 20, the tip 49 of hook 42 is positioned within the hollow body of the display. Thus, hook 42 may also be used to position the flexible sheet of indicia 30 within the hollow body. As depicted in FIG. 6, the flexible sheet of indicia 30, is hooked through slit 38 (FIG. 4), and rests upon the inner surface of cradle-body 22. Flexible sheet of indicia 30 is shown to conform to the shape of cradle body 22 as described above. Thus, clips 20 may be used to secure the display to a support member of the ceiling grid while also securing sheets of indicia 30 in place within the hollow body of the cradle.
A suspended [0044] ceiling light fixture 46 my be installed in place of a ceiling tile in a cell of a suspended ceiling grid. Here, suspended ceiling light fixture 46 is positioned above the hollow body of the display device to supply back-lit illumination to cradle 14 and the flexible sheet of indicia 30. In some cases, a suspended ceiling light fixture 46 may be difficult to remove from the support members 12 of the suspended ceiling. However, despite that the display device is suspended below light fixture 46, clips 20 attach to the support members 12 without the need for removal or adjustment of suspended ceiling light fixture 46.
While some suspended ceiling lights are difficult to remove from the grid, others are not. Thus, while the horizontal walls of [0045] U-shaped portion 40 are depicted as being mounted directly underneath ceiling tile 44, in some embodiments, U-shaped portion 40 may reversed such that the horizontal walls of U-shaped portion 40 are secured directly underneath light fixture 46 in a similar fashion to how the clip is secured under ceiling tile 44 in FIG. 6.
Now that the various portions of the display device have been described, an exemplary installation of the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-6 is helpful in understanding at least one use of the display device. Initially, the [0046] tips 49 of hook portion 42 of the clips 20 are inserted through the corresponding slits in the cradle. As shown in FIG. 2, the exemplary cradle includes four slits, two on each side of the flexible cradle body 22. Thus four clips 20 would be inserted into each of these four slits 34.
Next, one of the sides of [0047] cradle body 22 with the attached clips may be suspended from the ceiling by securing two of the clips 20 to a support member 12 of the suspended ceiling as described above and in FIG. 6. The clips may be attached to a support member adjacent to suspended ceiling light fixture 46 as depicted in FIG. 6. The second side of the cradle having the attached clips may also be attached to the opposite side of light fixture 46 to form a suspended hollow shell with open ends. The sheets of indicia 30 may be placed within the hollow shell and the tip 49 of clip 20 may be slipped through slits 38.
FIG. 7A depicts a close-up view of the attachment of [0048] end cap 16 to cradle 14 to enclose the open ends of the cradle 14. Once cradle 14 is attached to the suspended ceiling, end cap 16 is held horizontally, in parallel with the ceiling grid, and placed within the hollow enclosure formed by the suspended cradle. The L-shaped tab 36 on each side of the end cap is aligned with the corresponding tear-drop shaped aperture 32 of the cradle header 24. In this position, L-shaped tab 36 may fit through aperture 32 of cradle header 24. The end cap may now be rotated about the tab in the direction indicated by arrow 50 to complete the installation of end cap 16 to cradle 14.
As shown in FIG. [0049] 7B end cap 16 has been rotated to a resting position within cradle 14. L-shaped tab 36 hangs within the tear-drop shaped aperture 32 of cradle header 24, thereby attaching the end cap 16 to cradle 14. In the present embodiment, the size of open end of cradle body 22 does not allow the end cap to rotate to a fully vertical position. Rather, end cap 16 is retained at a slightly angled position in relation to a plane parallel to the ceiling such that it may be viewed from directly below. Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, angle 52 is an angle less than 90 degrees. However, alternate embodiments of the display, in conjunction with an appropriate cradle shape, may include end caps installed at an angle 52 of 90 degrees or greater. A second end cap may be added to the opposite end of the suspended display in a similar manner.
To remove the end cap, the header may be rotated about [0050] tab 36 in the direction opposite of arrow 50, until the end cap is in a substantially horizontal position as in FIG. 7A. In this position, L-shaped tab 36 is able to release from the tear drop shaped aperture. Both the installation, and removal of end cap 16 may advantageously be performed without the need for special tools.
While the installation steps above are presented in the exemplary order above, it is not necessary that the steps be performed in this order. Rather, several of the steps may be performed before or after other steps, and certain steps may be added or eliminated, without deviating from the scope of the embodiment. [0051]
Embodiments of the present invention provide an effective display system that requires no additional power to illuminate, is easily installed into existing suspended ceilings, and is viewable from below in all directions. One embodiment includes a cradle formed of a flexible plastic material and two end caps constructed of a less flexible, or rigid plastic material. Indicia may be printed upon the end caps or may be placed on a flexible sheet of indicia as with the cradle. A flexible sheet of indicia may be positioned within the hollow body of the display device. The graphics may be back-lit from an existing suspended ceiling light positioned above the display device, thereby enabling the graphics to be easily viewed from the outside of the suspended display. [0052]
Alternate embodiments of the display device may substitute the hourglass cradle shape for a cradle with a rectangular or square shape. For example, the rectangular or square shape may form a half-cylinder when attached to the ceiling grid, particularly when combined with end caps formed in the shape of a half-circle. This shape could represent a half of a soda can or a half of a roll of film suspended from the ceiling for advertising purposes. In another alternate embodiment, the end caps may be formed of vacuum formed plastic which may be manufactured in a number of unique shapes. For example, one end cap may be formed in the appearance of a positive terminal of a battery, while a second end cap is formed in the shape of a negative terminal of a battery. [0053]
The embodiments of the described display device have several potential advantages. For example, the clips serve the purpose of suspending the display from the ceiling grid while also holding interchangeable flexible sheets of indicia in place within the hollow chamber. Additionally, the hourglass cradle shape, along with the angled end caps provide viewing of the display device from all angles below the light box. Further, the light box may be installed without special tools, without making permanent modifications to the drop ceiling, and without the removal of an existing suspended ceiling light fixture. Advantageously, the end caps are easily removable to access and replace the flexible sheets of indicia within the light box as necessary. [0054]
It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims. [0055]

Claims

The following is claimed:

1. An overhead display system for suspension from a suspended ceiling comprising:

a cradle including:

a flexible cradle body; and

a cradle header attached to an edge of the cradle; and

a rigid end cap configured to be detachably attached to the cradle including:

an end-cap header attached to an edge of the end cap.

2. The overhead display system of claim 1, further including a clip comprising:

a U-shaped portion for attaching the clip to a horizontal flange of a support member of the suspended ceiling; and

a hook comprising a tip for receiving the cradle and a flexible sheet of indicia.

3. The overhead display system of claim 2, wherein the flexible cradle body is flexed to form a hollow enclosure, and the tip of the hook and the flexible sheet of indicia are located within the hollow body.

4. The overhead display system of claim 1, wherein the flexible cradle body is capable of being flexed to form a hollow enclosure.

5. The overhead display system of claim 4, further including a flexible sheet of indicia positioned inside the hollow enclosure and conforming to the shape of the interior of the hollow enclosure.

6. The overhead display system of claim 5, wherein the flexible cradle body is transparent or translucent, and wherein the flexible sheet of indicia further comprises at least one aperture positioned on the sheet of indicia such that the flexible sheet of indicia is viewable from outside of the hollow enclosure when the flexible sheet of indicia is hung by a clip through the aperture.

7. The overhead display system of claim 4, wherein the interior of the hollow body is illuminated.

8. The overhead display system of claim 4, wherein the shape of the exterior of the hollow body is semi-cylindrical in shape, and the end cap is a half-circle.

9. The overhead display system of claim 1, wherein the cradle is in the shape of an hourglass the end cap is in the shape of a half-ellipse.

10. The overhead display system of claim 1, wherein the cradle includes at least one hole for receiving a clip.

11. The overhead display system of claim 1, further including a clip for suspending the cradle from a support member of the suspended ceiling, wherein the support member also supports a light fixture positioned directly above the suspended cradle.

12. The overhead display system of claim 1, wherein the contour of the flexible cradle body conforms to the shape of the rigid end cap when the end cap is attached to the cradle.

13. The overhead display system of claim 1, wherein the cradle header includes an aperture and the end-cap header includes a tab configured to be received into the aperture of the cradle header.

14. The overhead display system of claim 13, wherein the aperture of the cradle header is tear-drop shaped and the tab of the end-cap header is L-shaped.

15. An overhead display system for suspension from an overhead grid comprising:

a cradle including a flexible cradle body; and

a rigid end cap configured to be detachably attached to the cradle; and

a clip for attaching the cradle to the overhead grid.

16. The overhead display system of claim 15, wherein the clip comprises:

a U-shaped portion for attaching the clip to a horizontal flange of the overhead grid; and

a hook portion attached to the U-shaped portion including a tip configured to receive the cradle and a flexible sheet of indicia.

17. The overhead display system of claim 15, wherein the clip is configured to suspend the cradle from a support member of the overhead grid while the support member also supports a light fixture positioned directly above the suspended cradle.

18. The overhead display system of claim 15, wherein the contour of the flexible cradle body conforms to the shape of the rigid end cap when the end cap is attached to the cradle.

19. The overhead display system of claim 15, wherein the cradle further includes a cradle header attached to the edge of a flexible cradle body, and the rigid end cap includes an end-cap header attached to an edge of the end cap.

20. The overhead display system of claim 15, wherein the cradle is hourglass shaped and the end cap is in the shape of a half-ellipse.

21. A display comprising:

a shell having at least one open end, the shell mounted to a grid of a suspended ceiling and protruding downwardly from the suspended ceiling; and

and end cap attached to the shell, and closing the open end of the shell;

wherein the end cap causes the shell to exhibit a particular shape.

22. The display of claim 21, wherein the flexible hollow shell further includes indicia printed thereon.

23. The display of claim 21, wherein the flexible hollow shell is transparent or translucent, and wherein the display further includes a flexible sheet of indicia within the hollow shell, wherein the sheet of indicia forms a layer inside the hollow shell that conforms to the shape of the interior of the hollow shell.

24. The display of claim 21, further including a clip including:

a hook portion configured to suspend the display from a suspended ceiling; and

a tip portion located within the flexible hollow shell.

25. The display of claim 24, wherein the display is suspended below a light fixture by the clip.

26. The display of claim 21, wherein the end cap includes a planar surface having indicia printed thereon, and the planar surface having indicia is not perpendicular to the surface of suspended ceiling.

27. The display of claim 21, wherein the shell is a flexible hollow shell and the end cap is rigid.

28. The display of claim 21, wherein the end cap is constructed of vacuum formed plastic.