Means for Attaching a Panel to an Upright

This invention relates to means for attaching a panel to an upright and more particularly to merchandising signs which are economical to fabricate, easy to assemble, and resistant to mechanical failure.

Signs used in the promotion and marketing of various goods and services are constructed in a wide variety of embodiments and are assembled by many different techniques. Of course it is desirable to produce a sign which is economical to manufacture and, at the same time, is convenient to assemble.

By this invention means for attaching a panel to an upright is provided and comprises an upright having an aperture formed therein, a panel disposed adjacent the upright, a bracket assembly joined to a side edge of the panel and having a pair of notches formed therein, and the notches being disposed in the aperture and being interlocked with the upright.

In the drawing

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a merchandising sign formed according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view showing the bracket assembly as it appears during an intermediate stage of manufacture;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view showing a completed bracket assembly from above prior to insertion into an upright;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view and depicts the bracket assembly in an interlocked relationship with one of the uprights;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional plan view similar to FIG. 3 showing the bracket assembly in its interlocked condition; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an alternative form of the invention in a partially completed condition.

With reference to the drawing and with particular reference to FIG. 1, the numeral 1 designates the panel of the merchandising sign formed according to this invention. To the upper edge of panel 1, upper lip 2 is integrally joined along junction 3. In similar fashion, lower lip 4 is integrally joined to the lower edge of panel 1 along junction 5.

The uprights for the merchandising sign are of conventional construction and are identified in the drawing by the numerals 6 and 7. Uprights 6 and 7 are shown as having four sides although uprights of other types could be utilized in connection with this invention. Each of the uprights has multiple apertures identified by the letter a formed therein. Each aperture a has a lower edge b and side edges c and d.

According to one form of this invention, the merchandising sign is provided with bracket assemblies. More specifically and as best shown in FIG. 1, bracket assemblies 8, 9 and 10 are integrally joined to one side edge of panel 1. In similar fashion, bracket assemblies 11, 12 and 13 are integrally joined along the opposite side edge of panel 1. Since each of the bracket assemblies 8-13 is of virtually identical construction, only one will be discussed in detail.

With particular reference to bracket assembly 8, this assembly comprises bracket element x and bracket element y which are integrally joined along weakened bend line z. As best viewed in FIG. 2, bracket elements x and y are provided respectively with notches m and n which are formed along the lower portions thereof. The upper edges of notches m and n are identified respectively to the letters o and p. In addition bracket element y is dimensionally wider than bracket element x.

In order to form the merchandising sign according to this invention, initially it is necessary to place uprighs 6 and 7 in vertical positions. Then bracket element y of each bracket assembly 8-13, which has been folded along bend line z during manufacture to an angle of approximately 45.degree. with bracket element x, is further folded along bend line z whereby the bracket assembly can be inserted into the corresponding aperture a to a position where notches m and n are disposed directly above the associated lower edge b. Following this the entire panel 1 is simply lowered until upper edges of o and p of notches m and n come into contact with the respective lower edge b of each aperture a. Generally simultaneously with this operation, bracket elements x and y of each bracket assembly are allowed to spread apart to an angle of approximately 15.degree. due to the natural tendency to move in this fashion which is inherent in the material from which the sign is constructed. Since bracket element y is wider than bracket element x, the free end of bracket element y extends inwardly of the sign beyond the junction between bracket element x and panel 1. Thus added reinforcing material is provided between notch n and the free end of bracket element y. Of course bracket elements x and y will move to positions whereby the outer surfaces thereof are in abutting relationship with side edges c and d. The bracket assemblies then appear as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 6 depicts an alternative form of the invention whereby side panels 1a and 2a of the merchandising sign are adapted for being mounted respectively on uprights 3a and 4a. To the free ends of side panels 1a and 2a, front panel 5a is secured respectively along the ends thereof. The bracket assemblies 6a of side panels 1a and 2a cooperate with corresponding apertures 7a in the same manner as discussed above in connection with the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-5.

Therefore it can be seen that each bracket assembly 8-13 and 6a is in effect wedged between the side edges c and d of the corresponding aperture and any tendency for the merchandising sign to twist or inadvertently fall apart is virtually eliminated.

By this invention a merchandising sign is provided which is economical to manufacture, easy to assemble and which is extremely sturdy.