Store frames tooth profiles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9526357-B2
Application number	US-201414338049-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 22, 2014
Priority date	Jul 9, 2014
Publication date	Dec 27, 2016
Grant date	Dec 27, 2016

Abstract

A universal store frame bracket profile is provided for coupling to one of multiple different store frame openings. Embodiments of the bracket include a bracket body with a platform support surface, a first tooth feature, and a second tooth feature. The first and second tooth features extend in a first direction from an edge of the bracket body. In embodiments, the first tooth feature includes an upper and lower portion, while the second tooth feature includes a lower portion. A cavity formed between the first tooth feature and the bracket body, and the second tooth feature and the bracket body, provides a coupling mechanism for mating the universal bracket to one of multiple store frames.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A store frame bracket profile comprising:
a bracket body arranged in a first plane, said bracket body having a bracket body front edge, wherein the bracket body comprises:
a platform support surface arranged in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane;
a first tooth feature arranged in the first plane, said first tooth feature extending in a first direction from the front edge of the bracket body, wherein the first tooth feature comprises a first tooth feature upper portion, a first tooth feature lower portion, and a first tooth feature cavity, wherein the first tooth feature cavity comprises:
a rise portion on the first tooth feature lower portion adjacent a bottom tip surface of the first tooth feature, said rise portion parallel to the front edge of the bracket body;
a stop portion adjacent the front edge of the bracket body; and
an angled portion between the rise portion and the stop portion, said angled portion above the rise portion and diagonal to the front edge of the bracket body; and
a second tooth feature arranged in the first plane, said second tooth feature spaced a first distance apart from the first tooth feature, said second tooth feature extending in the first direction from the bracket body, wherein the second tooth feature comprises a second tooth feature lower portion and a second tooth feature cavity,
wherein the second tooth feature is below the first tooth feature when the first plane of the bracket body is in a vertical position,
said store frame bracket profile configured to removably couple to a plurality of store frames having at least two openings, said at least two openings spaced apart a second distance corresponding to the first distance.

2. The store frame bracket profile of claim 1 , wherein the bracket body comprises a metal bracket body configured to support an amount of force applied to the platform support surface.

3. The store frame bracket profile of claim 1 , wherein the first tooth feature upper portion extends a second distance above the platform support surface.

4. The store frame bracket profile of claim 1 , wherein the first tooth feature lower portion extends a third distance below the platform support surface.

5. The store frame bracket profile of claim 1 , wherein the first tooth feature cavity is adjacent the first tooth feature lower portion.

6. The store frame bracket profile of claim 1 , wherein the first tooth feature lower portion comprises a curved edge profile on at least a portion of an outer edge of the first tooth feature lower portion.

7. The store frame bracket profile of claim 6 , wherein the first tooth feature lower portion comprises a straight tip profile on at least a portion of an outer edge of the first tooth feature lower portion, said straight tip profile adjacent the curved edge profile.

8. The store frame bracket profile of claim 1 , wherein the second tooth feature lower portion comprises a curved profile on at least a portion of an outer edge of the second tooth feature lower portion.

9. The store frame bracket profile of claim 1 , wherein the second tooth feature cavity comprises:
a rise portion on the second tooth feature lower portion adjacent a bottom tip surface of the second tooth feature;
a stop portion adjacent the bracket body; and
an angled portion between the rise portion and the stop portion, said angled portion above the rise portion.

10. A universal store frame bracket comprising:
a bracket body comprising:
a first tooth feature along a front edge of the bracket body, said first tooth feature having a first profile edge configured to couple to a first opening of a first frame body, wherein the first tooth feature comprises a first tooth feature upper portion, a first tooth feature lower portion, and a first cavity, wherein the first cavity comprises:
a rise portion on the first tooth feature lower portion adjacent a bottom tip surface of the first tooth feature;
a stop portion adjacent the front edge of the bracket body; and
an angled portion between the rise portion and the stop portion, said angled portion above said rise portion and diagonal to the front edge of the bracket body; and

a second tooth feature along the front edge of the bracket body, said second tooth feature having a second profile edge configured to couple to a second opening of the first frame body, said second opening below the first opening and separated a distance from the first opening corresponding to a separation distance between the first tooth feature and the second tooth feature with respect to the front edge of the bracket body, wherein the second tooth feature comprises a second tooth feature lower portion and a second cavity.

11. The universal store frame bracket of claim 10 , wherein the first tooth feature lower portion comprises:
a curved edge profile on a front edge of the first tooth feature lower portion; and
a straight tip on a bottom edge of the first tooth feature lower portion.

12. The universal store frame bracket of claim 10 , wherein
at least a portion of one or more of the rise portion, the angled portion, and the stop portion is configured to removably mate to the first opening.

13. The universal store frame bracket of claim 10 , wherein the first tooth feature upper portion comprises a first upper edge and a second upper edge, wherein at least one of the first upper edge and the second upper edge is configured to engage at least a portion of the first opening.

14. The universal store frame bracket of claim 10 , wherein the second tooth feature lower portion comprises:
a curved edge profile on a front edge of the second tooth feature lower portion; and
a straight tip on a bottom edge of the second tooth feature lower portion.

15. The universal store frame bracket of claim 10 , wherein the second cavity comprises:
a rise portion on the first tooth feature lower portion adjacent a bottom tip surface of the first tooth feature;
a stop portion adjacent the front edge of the bracket body; and
an angled portion between the rise portion and the stop portion, said angled portion above said rise portion and diagonal to the front edge of the bracket body,
wherein at least a portion of one or more of the rise portion, the angled portion, and the stop portion is configured to mate to the second opening.

16. A store frame bracket profile comprising:
a bracket body arranged in a first plane, said bracket body having an upper end opposite a lower end, wherein a perimeter of the bracket body comprises:
a front edge, wherein the front edge of the bracket body is coupled to a first tooth feature and a second tooth feature arranged in the first plane, said first tooth feature proximate the bracket body upper end and said second tooth feature proximate the bracket body lower end, wherein the first tooth feature comprises a first tooth feature upper portion, a first tooth feature lower portion opposite the first tooth feature upper portion, and a first cavity, wherein the first cavity comprises:
a rise portion on the first tooth feature lower portion adjacent a bottom tip surface of the first tooth feature lower portion and parallel to the bracket body front edge;
a stop portion adjacent and perpendicular to the front edge of the bracket body; and
an angled portion between the rise portion and the stop portion, said angled portion above said rise portion and diagonal to the bracket body front edge,

wherein at least a portion of one or more of the rise portion, the angled portion, and the stop portion is configured to mate to a first opening of a first store

Assignees

• Hallmark Cards

Inventors

• Howard Richard Thomas
• Wegstein Brian Lee

Classifications

• A47B96/061

  Cantilever brackets · CPC title

• A47F5/0807 Primary

  Display panels, grids or rods used for suspending merchandise or cards supporting articles; Movable brackets therefor (with fixed brackets A47F5/0876; packages comprising articles attached to cards B65D73/00; labels G09F) · CPC title

• A47B57/425

  introduced by a vertical pivoting movement · CPC title