US3688914A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Display device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-12-16
•
Granted: 1972-09-05
•
Expires: 1990-12-16
Abstract
Abstract Hinge and separator structure for accommodating vertically stacked layers of merchandise adjacent a back panel. The hinge is a flat spring element having a transverse bend and secured to the back panel and the separator in such a way that it is movable to a horizontal position between vertical layers, and to a position exposing the lower layer when the upper layer of merchandise is removed. The separator may include a hinged portion and means for increasing the longitudinal rigidity of the rear portion only.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell E Taber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:26
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47F; A47F5/00; A47F5/0081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In a display device for stabilizing stacked merchandise including a back panel, at least one stack separator hingedly secured to said back panel and movable to a generally horizontal position supported from below by the tops of a first layer of merchandise and maintained in said generally horizontal position by a second layer of merchandise carried thereon, and means biasing said separator to a position exposing said first layer of merchandise only when said second layer of merchandise is removed; the improved structure comprising: a. a flat spring element having a transverse bend extending across said element; b. means securing an edge of said element parallel to said bend to said back panel; and c. means spaced from said first mentioned means for securing the opposite edge of said spring element to the rear edge of said separator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a display device for stabilizing stacked merchandise including a back panel, at least one stack separator hingedly secured to said back panel and movable to a generally horizontal position supported from below by the tops of a first layer of merchandise and maintained in said generally horizontal position by a second layer of merchandise carried thereon, and means biasing said separator to a position exposing said first layer of merchandise only when said second layer of merchandise is removed; the improved structure comprising: a. a flat spring element having a transverse bend extending across said element; b. means securing an edge of said element parallel to said bend to said back panel; and c. means spaced from said first mentioned means for securing the opposite edge of said spring element to the rear edge of said separator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improved structure claimed in claim 1 wherein the included angle of said transverse bend is at least 80* and not more than 135* .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improved structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring element is of stainless steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improved structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said transverse bend is cold formed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The improved structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for securing said spring element to said back panel and said means for securing said spring element to said separator are effective to stress the portions of said spring element on each side of said bend in a direction opposite to said bend.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The improved structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring element is trapezoidal in shape, said transverse bend being parallel to the bases of said trapezoid and the larger base of said trapezoid being secured to said back panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improved structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said separator includes two portions hingedly secured together along a line parallel to said back panel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The improved structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said separator includes means for increasing the longitudinal rigidity of only the rear portion thereof, said means comprising at least one bend in said separator, said bend extending from a side edge thereof to the rear edge thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improved structure claimed in claim 1 wherein the radius of said transverse bend is not more than about 1/2 inch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a display device for stabilizing stacked merchandise including a back panel, at least one stack separator hingedly secured to said back panel and movable to a generally horizontal position supported from below by the tops of a first layer of merChandise and maintained in said generally horizontal position by a second layer of merchandise carried thereon, and means for biasing said separator to a position exposing said first layer of merchandise only when said second layer of merchandise is removed; the improved structure comprising a first separator portion hingedly secured to said back panel; a second separator portion; and hinge means securing said first and second separator portions together along a line parallel to said back panel, whereby when said first separator portion is biased upwardly, said second separator portion will fold back toward the underside of said first separator portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a display device for stabilizing stacked merchandise including a back panel, at least one stack separator hingedly secured to said back panel and movable to a generally horizontal position supported from below by the tops of a first layer of merChandise and maintained in said generally horizontal position by a second layer of merchandise carried thereon, and means for biasing said separator to a position exposing said first layer of merchandise only when said second layer of merchandise is removed; the improved structure comprising a first separator portion hingedly secured to said back panel; a second separator portion; and hinge means securing said first and second separator portions together along a line parallel to said back panel, whereby when said first separator portion is biased upwardly, said second separator portion will fold back toward the underside of said first separator portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
70 words
The improved structure claimed in claim 10 for hingedly securing said separator to said back panel comprising a spring element, a transverse bend in said element spaced from the edges thereof, means securing an edge of said element parallel to said bend to said back panel, and means spaced from said first mentioned means for securing the opposite edge of said spring element to the rear edge of said separator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-05 | 1976-03-06 | 1976-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-05 | 1980-03-06 | 1980-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-05 | 1984-03-06 | 1984-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |