US3294249A

US3294249A - Display device

Info

Publication number: US3294249A
Application number: US438843A
Authority: US
Inventors: James R Simmons
Original assignee: Dimensional Concepts Inc
Current assignee: Dimensional Concepts Inc
Priority date: 1965-03-11
Filing date: 1965-03-11
Publication date: 1966-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 1983-12-27

Description

J. R. SIMMONS DISPLAY DEVICE Dec. 27, l966 Dec. Z7, 966

J. R. SIMMONS DISPLAY DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March ll, 1965 l 115 l0@ 1181121051915@ L23 l)ec.27, 1966 1. R. SIMMONS 3,294,249

- l DISPLAY DEVICE Filed March 11, 1965 l s sheets-sheet s v United States Patent O 3,294,249 DXSPLAY DEVICE James R. Simmons, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Dimensional Concepts liuc., a corporation of Iliinois Filed Mar. 11, 1965, Ser. No. 438,843

19 Claims. (Cl. 211-134) This invention relates in general to a display device, and more particularly to a novel and versatile means by which an exhibitor can present a commercially attractive `display at a trade show or the like..

In many industries it is a common practice to have an annual trade show where the various individual manufacturers in the industry each exhibit their products, distribute advertising materials, and solicit sales. At such trade shows it is conventional for each manufacturer to have a booth, or a particular area for displaying his products, and -distributing advertising materials. Manufacturers have recognized the long felt need for an eiective means to ide-ntify a particular exhibitor, and his line o f products. Display devices which have been used in the past for this purpose have often been expensive, difficult to assemble, and not reusable from year to year. Accordingly, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved display devi-ce of the character described that obviates the problems present in prior art devices, and which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintain, easy to assemble and disassemble, and having display indicia which is capable of being readily changed so that the display device is capable of being used for a number of years.

An object of the invention is to provide a display device wherein the size of the device can be readily expanded or contracted to meet the needs of a particular display.

A related object of the invention is to provide a display device which consists of a plurality of generally identical display sections, which are readily attachable t0, and detachable from, one another.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display device as described above wherein the individual display sections consist of a plurality of elements which are readily detachable from one another, so that the component elements of the display device can be stored as a compact unit when not in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel base construction for supporting the display sections of a display device as described above.

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel frame elements for a display device as described above which are secured to one another, and to the base of the display section in a unique manner.

A related object is to provide spaced channels in the display section frame members which support a pair of display panels in spaced relationship with respect to one another.

A further related object of the invention is to associate light means and reilector means with the display segments, so that unique display effects can be produced by using a colored display panel in conjunction with a second display panel having indicia cut outs thereon. The display effect can vbe readily varied by chan-ging the color and opacity of the panels, or by using panels having different indicia thereon.

A still further object of the invention is to provide novel means for supporting a shelf or the like.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shelf support for a multi-section display unit which is mounted in a unique fashion between adjacent display units.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide novel means for illuminating a display `device as described ,ICC

above, and with further means for balancing the illuminating means.l

These and other objects of the invention will hereinafter 4become more fully apparent from the following description taken in connection with the annexed drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a front perspective view of a preferredv ernbodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan' view of the embodiment illustrated in FlG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded top plan view showing the top and 'bottom walls -of a display section in detail;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along `line 5,-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of a display section of a slightly modified form of the invention; Y

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FrG. 8 is a side elevational view taken generally along line 8-8 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan View.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detal one specic embodiment of the invention together with modifications thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exempliiication of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, the illustrated embodiment of the display device is shown in its entirety at 10, and includes a plurality of separate `display sections 11, each mounted on a suitable stand or base 12. Each of the display sections' is substantially identical, so that only one of the display sections will be hereinafter described in detail.

Base 12 is preferably formed of metal, and is cast into a thin wall construction including a central portionY 13, a forwardly extending portion 14, and a rearwardly extending portion 15. As -can be seen in FIG. 8,

base portions

14 and 15 are tapered to provide a base construction of low prole which presents an attractive physical appearance. Base 12 includes downwardly ex;

tending

feet

16 and 17 at the outer ends of

portions

14 and 15 respectively, to support the base on a floor or the like. Base 12Apreferably includes a Y-s-haped strengthening rib, including a portion 18 extending forwardly from the center of the rear base portion 15, and

portions

19 and 20 diverging outwardly from the end of portion 18 to the sides of the forwardly extending ybase portion 14. Downwardly extending bosses 21 are provided at opposite sides of base portion 14 rearwardly of foot 16, and bosses 21 are internally threaded for reception of leveling screws 22 which can be adjusted to level and stabilize the base 12. In a like manner, additional leveling screws 23 may -be provided at opposite sides of the rearw-ardly extending base portion 15. A slightly modied base construction is illustrated in FIG. l, and the rearwardly extending portion 15a which is adapted to with an open central portion 15b which is adapted to receive a weight therein lfor balancing the display section.

Generally vertically extending recesses are provided in opposite sides of the base 12, and as can be best seen b in FIG. 9, these re-ces-ses are defined in part by spaced,

parallel walls

25 and 26. The recesses at the sides of the base 12 are further idefined by a rear wall 27 perpendicular to

walls

25 and 26, and which has an enilargement 27a at the central portion thereof, to define spaced grooves yat opposite sides of the recess.

Generally rectangular bayonet members 30 are received in the recesses at the opposite sides of the base 12. Bayonet members 30 each includes a longitudinal recess 31 along one side thereof defining projections 32, which are received in the grooves in Ithe recesses at the sides of wall portion 27a. A vertically extending groove 33 is providedin the side of bayonets 30 opposite from the groove 31, for a purpose to hereafter appear. rI`he baynet members 30 are releasably secured to the base 12, as by screws 34, and as can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, the upper portion of the bayonets 30 extend substantially above the base 12. The upper portion of the bayonets 30 is provided with a chamfer or inclined edge 35, for a purpose to also hereafter appear.

Each display section 11 is removably received on the bayonet members 30 of a base 12, and each display section 11 includes a generally planar bottom frame member 40. Bottom frame member 40 is generally T-shaped in end view as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 8, and includes flanges 41 an'd 42 disposed at generally right angles with respect to the plane of the frame member 40. Member 40 is provided with means defining a pair vof spaced, parallel ychannels adjacent the forward edge thereof. This means includes a plurality of spaced ribs 44-47, with

ribs

44 and 45 defining a channel therebetween at the forward edge of the member 40, and

ribs

46 and 47 defining a channel therebetween spaced rearwardly from the channel between

ribs

44 and 45. Each of the ribs 44-47 terminates inwardly of the outer end of the member 40, as can `be seen at 44a-47a in FIG. 4 to define fiat, planar areas at opposite ends of the member 40. As can also be seen in FIG. 4, member 40 is providedv with a cut out portion 48 spaced inwardly from the plane ofthe outer ends of the ribs 44-47 rearwardly of the channel defined by

ribs

46 and 47. Openings 49 are provided in member 40 for securing the same to side members to be hereafter described.

Each display section 11 further includes a top mem-v ber 50, shaped similarly to the bottom member 40, and being generally T-shaped in cross section. The member 50 includes a flange 51 extending upwardly therefrom, and a depending flange 52 somewhat longer than flange 51 and extending downwardly therefrom. A rib 54 at the forward edge of the member 50 cooperates with a rib 55 spaced rearwardly therefrom and parallel therewith to define a channel therebetween at the forward edge of member I50. Another rib 56 spaced from rib 55 cooperates with a further rib 57 to define a secondv channel therebetween spaced from the channel formed by

ribs

54 and 55 and parallel therewith. As can be seen in FIG. 4, ribs 54-5'7 terminate at 54a-5-7a in a plane that is spaced inwardly from the outer end of member 50. A plurality of openings -9 are provided in the member 54 for securing the same to the side members to be hereafter described.

,-Each display section 11 still further includes a pair of spaced side members 60 connecting the top and bottom rmembers4l) and 50. Side members -60 are generally planar, and include a flange 61 at the rear thereof disposed generally at right angles to plane of the member. A generally square enlargement-62 is provided at the outer end of flange 61, and includes a surface 62a spaced from and parallel with the plane of the member 60. A generally similar enlargement 63 is provided centrally of the member 60, on the same side as the flange 61. Member 60 includes a furtherjenlargement 65 spaced inwardly Ifrom the front end thereof, and a side surface 65a of enlargement 65 cooperates with a parallel rib 64 at the forward edge of the member 60 to define a channel therebetween. Member `60 further includes spaced, para-llel ribs y66 and 67 on the same side of the member as flange 61,which define therebetween a channel which is spaced from and parallel with the channel between rib 64 and wall 65a. The inner surface Iof the member 60 cooperates with the fianfge 61, rib 67 and enlargement surface 62a to collectively define a compartment therebetween. Openings 68 are provided in enlargements 62, v63 and 65 for purpose Ito hereafter appear.

To assemble a `display section, the side members 60 are placed on the bottom member 40 with the

ribs

64, 66 and 67 aligned respectively with

ribs

44, 46 and 47, and more specifically in facial engagement with rib surfaces -44a, 46a and 47a. As can be best seen in FIG. 5, the enlarged portion 62 at the en'd of the flange 61 on the member 60 is nested behind the flange 41 on the lower member 40, with the inner surface I62a on the enlarged portion 62 aligned with the cut out portion 48 in the member 40. Suitable fasteners, such as screws or the like, are threaded through aligned

openings

49 and 68 to positively secure the side member 60 to the bottom member 40. To complete the frame of the display section, the top member 50 is placed on the side members `60, with the

rib end portions

54a, 56a and 57a being positioned against

ribs

464, 66 and 67, respectively. The flanlge 52 on the top member 50 overlies the adjacent fiange 61 on the side members 60, and suitable fasteners, such as screws or the like, are threaded through aligned

openings

59 and 68 to releasably secure the top members 6i). It will be understood, of course, that prior to the assembly of the top member 50 to the side members 60, display panels to be hereafter described, are inserted in the channels in the display section frame members.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a display panel 70 is provided in the channel spaced inwardly from the front end of the display section, and the display panel 70 may conveniently be formed of a translucent sheet of colored material, that is adapted to pass light of a particular color therethrough. A sec-ond display panel 71, which is provided in the forwardmost channel in the display section, preferably has a cut out design 72 therein which is indicative of a particular manufacturer, or of the manufacturers line of products.` The

display panels

70 and 71 are slidably received in the frame member channels, and may be easily changed, so that the character of the display can be readily varied. Means are provided for shining light through the display panel 70, and in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 a light source 73 is carried by a suitable bracket 74 that is secured to the side memberstl. Reflector means for directing the light rays fr-om the light source 73 through the display panel 70 are provided at the rear of the display section. In FIG. 3 an arcuate, somewhat parabolically shaped reflector 75,`has the lower end 76 thereof placed behind flange 41, and the upper end 77 thereof hooked over flange 51. A somewhat modified form of reflector is shown in FIG. 8, and includes a central portion 77 spaced from and parallel with the rear of the display segments, and upper and lower inclined portions 77a and 77b having their respective ends 78 and 79 fitted over flange 51 and behind flange 41. The reflectors are preferably formed from light weight material, such as, fiberglass, highly polished aluminum, or other suitable metals.

Means are also provided for illuminating the front of the display device, and includes an elongate rod 80 positioned on the top lof a display section, and having a relatively short rearwardly extending portion 81, and a relatively long forwardly extending portion 82. Rod 80 is preferably of hollow construction, so as to receive electrical leads 84 therethrough for a lamp 83 that is pivotally mounted at the outer end of rod portion 82. The means for mounting the rod 80 on the display section include a pair of spaced brackets 85 suitably secured to the top member 50 of a display section, and including an upwardly open groove for reception of a transverse pin 86 on the rod 80. A weight 87 may be provided on the rod portion 81 to balance the rod, and weight 87 is slidable along the rod portion 81 to a proper balancing position, where it is locked in place by a set screw 8S. An upright member 89 extends perpendicularly to the rod 88 in the vicinity of pin 86, and a cable 90 extends through an opening in the upper portion of the upright member y89 forwardly to the lamp $3. A turnbuckle 91 is provided in cable 96 rearwardly of upright 89 so that the inclination 4of the lamp 83 may be adjusted. Additional turnbuckles may be provided in .the length of cable 92 (FIG. 1) extending downwardly from the rod Si), if desired.

A trim piece 160 is provided for the exposed sides of the outermost display sections, and the trim pieces 100 are shaped generally identically with the side members 60, except that the flange 61 is cut down to form a flange 191 which is much shorter than the flange 61. In FIG. 5 it will be noted that the trim member 100 is provided with an enlargement 103 in one side thereof spaced forwardly of flange 161, a rib 104 at the forward edge of the member, a rearwardly spaced enlargement S, and further rearwardly spaced ribs 1116 and 137; corresponding respectively to enlargement 63, rib 64, enlargement 65, and

ribs

66 and 67 in side members 60. It will be noted that the flange 101 terminates in the same plane as ribs 104, 106 and 1&7, and enlargement 105. These members cooperate to define a mounting surface against which an end cap 108 is seated, and a mounting block 109 is preferably nested against flange 101, so that the end cap 108 can be secured thereto. The trim pieces 100 are secured to the side members 66 by suitable fasteners 110 which are threaded thlough aligned openings in the side members 60 and the trim members 100. Generally identical fasteners are utilized to secure adjacent side members 60 together when more than one display section is used in a display device.

Each of the display section side members and trim members are provided with a recess at the forward end thereof in the side opposite from the spaced channels. These recesses are each generally identical, and include an inclined portion 111, and a ilat portion 112 generally parallel to the plane of the member. Each of the side and trim members further includes a portion 113 adjacent the aforedescribed recess forwardly thereof, which is offset from the plane of the member and generally parallel thereto. As is clear from FIG. 7, when side members 60, or a side member 60 and trim member 100, are placed along side one another, the recesses and offset portions 111-113 cooperate to define an arrow shaped groove 114 having an enlarged inner portion, and a narrowed mouth. Grooves 114 cooperate with retention members 115 (FIG. 5) t-o be hereafter described to mount brackets 116 which support shelves 117.

In using the aforedescribed display device, it is often desirable to exhibit certain products, or advertising materials, and to this end it is desirable to employ shelves such as shown at 117, which can be positioned at various vertical locations -on the display device. The shelves 117 must be capable of being readily vertically adjusted, so that the elevation thereof can be quickly changed, when desired. Retention members 115 each includes an enlarged rear end-118 that is provided with a flattened portion engaging recess portion 112, and an inclined portion engaging recess portion 111. Retention members 115 further include a narrowed portion 119 that extends between the offset portions 113 in the side and trim members. Retention member portions 118 and 119 are sized relative to the adjacent portions of the side members and the trim members so as to mount the retention member for free sliding movement in the groove 114. The forward end of the retention member 115 is generally spool shaped;

and includes a rearward cylindrical portion 120 that is positioned adjacent the front of the side members 60 and trim member 100, as the case may be, and a cylindrical forward portion 121 spaced from rearward cylindrical portion 120.

Tapered portions

122 and 123 extend forwardly and rearwardly from cylindrical portions 120 and 121, respectively, and cooperate to define cam means for pulling the bracket 116 into snug engagement with the adjacent front surface of the display section. To this end, the rearward portion of the brackets 116 are provided with a bore 124, and a sleeve is mounted in bore 124 to receive the forwardmost portion of the retention member therein. Sleeve 125 is provided with a threaded hole in the side wall thereof which is aligned with a hole in the side of bracket 116, and a set screw 126 is threaded through the aligned holes. The set screw 126 is positioned to bear against inclined camming surface 123, so that when it is desired to position a bracket 116 at a desired vertical location, the set screw 126 is threaded into engagement with the surface 123 which forces the bracket 116 to the left, as viewed in FIG; 5, into snug engagement with the adjacent surfaces on the display section. It will be appreciated that the position of the bracket 116 can be readily adjusted by merely loosening set screw 126, and moving the bracket 116 and the retention member 115 to the desired location.

' From the foregoing, it is believed apparent that each of the objects of the invention have been fully achieved. In this respect it will be appreciated that the configuration of bottom member 40, top member 50, side members'60 and trim members 100 enable these members to be formed economically, as by an extrusion process. The construction of .base 12 enables it to be economically manufactured by a casting process. The individual display sections 11 can be quickly and easily assembled, and the character of the display can be readily varied by changing the

display panels

70 and 71. The size of the display can be readily changed by merely adding to, or reducing the number of the display sections, and the display sections themselves are readily attachable and detachable from one another by a simple fastening means. The display device is capable of producing novel display effects by reflecting light through translucent coloredV panels 70 and panels 71 having cut out patterns. Readily vertically adjustable shelf bracket means 116v are provided for the displaying of products and advertising materials. When the display device is not in use, the various elements thereof can be easily and quickly disassembled, and stored in a compa-ct location.

I claim:

1. A support comprising: a pair of upright members having adjacent surfaces facing one another, cooperating recesses in said adjacent surfaces defining a longitudinal groove having a relatively narrow mouth and a widened portion therebehind; a retention member having an enlarged end slidably received in said groove widened portion, and a mounting portion extending outwardly of said groove through said mouth, the lmounting portion of said retention member having a cam surface thereon; a bracket having a bore receiving the mounting portion of said retention member therein; and means on said bracket movable into said bore for engaging saidv cam surface whereby said bracket is moved into engagement with said upright member to x said bracket at a desired location on said upright member.

2. A support comprising: an' upright member having a longitudinal groove therein, said groove having a relatively narrow mouth and a widened portion therebehind; a retention member having an enlarged end slidably received in said groove widened portion, and a mounting portion extending outwardly of said groove through said mouth, the mounting portion of said retention member having a cam surface thereon; a bracket having a bore receiving the mounting portion of said retention member therein; and means on said bracket movable into said bore for engaging said cam surface whereby said bracket is moved into engagement with said upright member to fix said bra-cket at a desired location on said upright member.

3. A support comprising: an upright member having a longitudinal groove therein, said groove having a relatively narrow mouth and a widened portion therebehind; a retention member having an enlarged end slidably received in said groove widened portion, and a spool shaped mounting portion extending outwardly of said groove through said mouth and having a rearwardly inclined cam surface thereon; a bracket having a bore receiving the mounting portion of said retention member therein; and a set screw threadably mounted on said bracket and movable transversely thereof into said bore for engaging said cam surface whereby said bracket is moved into engagement with said upright member to fix said `bracket at a desired location to said upright member.

4. A support as defined in claim 3 wherein said groove and the enlarged portion of said retention member are substantially arrow shaped.

5. A stand for a display section comprising: a base member having a central portion with a general horizontal top surface, and vertical side surfaces, said base member including tapered support portions extending forwardly and rearwardly from said central portion and adapted to rest upon the floor; means defining a recess in each of said side surfaces including, spaced parallel walls generally perpendicular to the side surfaces and a rear wall perpendicular to said side walls at the ends thereof, said rear walls having an enlarged portion rgenerally centrally thereof defining vertical grooves at opposite sides thereof; and a bayonet member in each of said recesses and extending above the top surface of said central portion.

6. The invention set forth in claim 5 wherein each bayonet has a first recess in one side thereof to define projections at opposite sides of the recess, said bayonet projections being shaped complementarily with and seated within said side surface grooves, and said rear wall enlarged portion lbeing shaped complementarily with and seated within said Ibayonet recess.

7. The invention set forth in claim 6 wherein each bayonet includes a second recess in a side opposite from said first recess.

8. A stand for a display section comprising: a base member having a central portion with vertical side surfaces, said base member including tapered support portions extending forwardly and rearwardly from said central portion and ladapted to rest upon the oor; and means defining a recess in each -of said side surfaces including, spaced parallel walls generally perpendicular to the side surfaces and a rear wa-ll perpendicular to said side walls at the ends thereof, said rear walls having an enlarged portion generally centrally thereof defining vertical grooves at opposite sides thereof..

9. A frame element comprising: a fiat, generally rectangular member having opposite sides; means forming a first longitudinally extending channel in one .side of said member adjacent one edge thereof; means forming a second longitudinally extending channel in said one side of said member spaced from and parallel with said first channel; means adjacent the opposite edge of said one side of the member cooperating with the means forming said second channel to define a compartment therebetween; and means forming al longitudinally extending recess in the opposite side of said member adjacent said one edge.

10. A frame element as defined in claim 9 wherein said member includes an enlarged portion rearwardly of said second channel in said compartment.

A 11. A frame element comprising: a fiat, generally rectangular member having opposite sides; spaced walls in one side of said member adjacent one edge thereof forming a first longitudinally extending channel; spaced walls in said one side of said member spaced rearwardly from and parallel with said rst channel forming a second longitudinally extending channel; a ange adjacent the opposite edge of said one side of the member cooperating with the rearmost wall of said second channel to define a compartment therebetween; and means forming a longitudinally extending recess in the opposite side of said member adjacent said one edge.

12. A frame element as defined in claim 11 wherein said flange is longer than said walls.

13. A display section comprising: a bottom frame element defined by a generally rectangular member having upper and lower surfaces, means forming a first longitudinally extending channel in the upper surface of said member adjacent the forward edge thereof, means forming a second longitudinally extending channel in the upper surface of said member spaced from and parallel with said first channel, said member having cut out portions at opposite ends thereof rearwardly of said second channel, means forming generally planar surfaces at opposite ends of said member in the upper surface thereof; side frame elements, each seated on the yplanar surface at one end of said bottom frame member, each side frame element defined by a generally rectangular member having inner and outer sides, means for-ming a first longitudinally extending channel in the inner side of each side frame member adjacent the forward edge thereof and aligned with the first channel in said ybottom member, means forming a second longitudinally extending channel in the inner side of each side frame member aligned with the second channel in said `bottom member, means adjacent the rearward edge of the inner side of each side frame member cooperating with the means forming said second channel to define a compartment therebetween, said compartments each being positioned in vertical alignment with one of the cut out portions in said bottom frame member, an enlargement in the inner side of each side frame member and disposed in said compartment; a base member for supporting said display section and including a central portion having a generally horizontal top surfacewith the lower surface of said bottom frame member resting thereon, said base member central portion having vertical side surfaces each positioned in alignment with one of the cut out lportions in said bottom frame member, said base member includingv tapered support portions extending forwardly and rearwardly from said central Iportion and adapted to rest upon the floor; means defining a recess in each of said side surfaces, each recess including spaced parallel walls generally perpendicular to the side surfaces and a rear wall perpendicular to the Side walls, at the ends thereof, said rear walls having an enlarged portion generally centrally thereof defining vertical grooves at opposite sides thereof; and a bayonet in each of said recesses, said bayonets each extending upwardly above the top surface of the base central portion through one of the cut out portions in said bottom frame element and into the compartments in one of the 4side frame elements, said bayonets each having inner and outer surfaces with a first recess in the inner surface thereof defining projections at opposite sides of the recess, said bayonet projections being shaped complementarily with and seated within the grooves in the recesses in the side surfaces of said base member, said bayonets each including a recess in the outer surface and receiving the enlargement on the inner side of one side member therein.

14. A display section comprising: a bottom frame member having upper and lower surfaces, means forming a rst longitudinally extending channel in the upper surface of said member adjacent the forward edge thereof, means forming a second longitudinally extending channel in the upper surface of said member spaced from and parallel with said first channel, means forming generally planar surfaces at opposite ends of said member in the upper surface thereof; side frame members, each seated on the planar surface at one end of said bottom frame member and having inner and outer sides, means forming r a first longitudinally extending channel in the inner side of each side frame member adjacent the forward edge thereof and aligned with the first channel in said bottom member, means forming a second longitudinally extending channel in the inner side of each side frame member aligned with the second channel in said bottom member; a base member for supporting said display section and including a central portion having a generally horizontal top surface with the lower surface of said bottom frame member resting thereon, said base member including tapered support portions extending forwardly and rearwardly from said central portion and adapted to rest upon the floor; and means associated with said base for releasably mounting said frame members thereon.

15. A display section comprising: a bottom frame element defined by a genrally rectangular member having upper and lower surfaces, means forming a first longitudinally extending channel in the upper surface of said member adjacent the forward edge thereof, means forming a second longitudinally extending channel in the upper surface of said member spaced from and parallel with said first channel, said member having cut out portions at opposite ends thereof rearwardly of said second channel, means forming generally planar surfaces at opposite ends of said member in the upper surface thereof; side frame elements, each seated on the planar surface at one end of bottom frame member, side frame element defined by a generally rectangular member having inner and outer' sides, means forming a first longitudinally extending channel in the inner side of each side frame member adjacent the forward edge thereof and aligned with the first channel in said bottom member, means forming a second longitudinally extending channel in the inner side of each side frame member aligned with the second channel in said bottom member, means adjacent the rearward edge of the inner side of each side frame member cooperating with the means forming said second channel to define a compartment therebetween, said compartments each being positioned in vertical alignment with one of the cut out portions in said bottom frame member; a base member for supporting said display section and including a central portion having a generally horizontal top surface with the lower surface of said bottom frame member resting thereon, said base member central 'portion having vertical side surfaces each positioned in alignment with one of the cut out portions in saidbottom frame member, said base member including tapered support portions extending forwardly and rearwardly from said central portion and adapted to rest upon the floor, means defining a recess in each of said side surfaces; and a bayonet in each of said recesses, said bayonets each extending upwardly above the top surface of the base central portion through one of the cut out portions in said bottom frame element and into the compartments in one of the side frame elements.

16. A display device comprising: support means; a plurality of display sections removably mounted on the support means; a first generally planar display panel siidably removably mounted on each display section, said first display panels being generally opaque and at least one panel having indicia cut outs therein; a second translucent display panel slidab-ly removably mounted on said one display section rearwardly of the first display panel thereof in substantial parallelism therewith; and means for passing light from front to rear of said one display section.

17. A frame element comprising: a flat, generally rectangular member having generally planar opposite sides; means forming .a first longitudinally extending channel on one side of said member adjacent one edge thereof, said first channel terminating inwardly of the ends of said member to define generally planar surfaces outwardly of each end of said first channel; means forming a second longitudinally extending channel on said one side of said member spaced from and parallel with said first channel, said second channel being coextensive with said first channel and terminating inwardly of the ends of said member whereby said generally .planar surfaces are also provided outwardly of each end of said second channel; and means adjacent the opposite edge of the member forming flanges generally perpendicular to the plane of said member and extending outwardly from each of said sides.

13. A frame element as defined in claim 17 wherein each of said channels are defined by a pair of spaced ribs extending generally perpendicular to the plane of said member.

19. A frame element as defined in claim 17 wherein the ends of said member are cut out rearwardly of said channels, and inwardly from the end of said member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNiTED STATES PATENTS 2,205,080 6/1940 Brown et al. 264-151 2,531,646 11/1950 Rockola 312-213 2,710,995 6/1955 Stelzer 52-720 2,940,718 6/1960 Beal 248-245 2,958,427 11/1960 Bianchi 211--148 2,965,242. 12/1960 Grotke 211-148 2,971,805 2/1961 Weiss 312108 3,127,020 3/1964 Bibb 211-148 3,159,437 12/1964 Jentzen S12-108 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

W. D. LOULAN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

14. A DISPLAY SECTION COMPRISING: A BOTTOM FRAME MEMBER HAVING UPPER AND LOWER SURFACES, MEANS FORMING A FIRST LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING CHANNEL IN THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID MEMBER ADJACENT THE FORWARD EDGE THEREOF, MEANS FORMING A SECOND LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING CHANNEL IN THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID MEMBER SPACED FROM AND PARALLEL WITH SAID FIRST CHANNEL, MEANS FORMING GENERALLY PLANAR SURFACES AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID MEMBER IN THE UPPER SURFACE THEREOF; SIDE FRAME MEMBERS, EACH SEATED ON THE PLANAR SURFACE AT ONE END OF SAID BOTTOM FRAME MEMBER AND HAVING INNER AND OUTER SIDES, MEANS FORMING A FIRST LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING CHANNEL IN THE INNER SIDE OF EACH SIDE FRAME MEMBER ADJACENT THE FORWARD EDGE THEREOF AND ALIGNED WITH THE FIRST CHANNEL IN SAID BOTTOM MEMBER, MEANS FORMING A SECOND LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING CHANNEL IN THE INNER SIDE OF SAID EACH SIDE FRAME MEMBER ALIGNED WITH THE SECOND CHANNEL IN SAID BOTTOM MEMBER; A BASE MEMBER FOR SUPPORTING SAID DISPLAY SECTION AND INCLUDING A CENTRAL PORTION HAVING A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL TOP SURFACE WITH THE LOWER SURFACE OF SAID BOTTOM FRAME MEMBER RESTING THEREON, SAID BASE MEMBER INCLUDING TAPERED SUPPORT PORTIONS EXTENDING FORWARDLY AND REARWARDLY FROM SAID CENTRAL PORTION AND ADAPTED TO REST UPON THE FLOOR; AND MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID BASE FOR RELEASABLY MOUNTING SAID FRAME MEMBERS THEREON.