Display support

Abstract

A display support for releasably and rigidly holding a flat display includes a base frame member, first and second side frame members extending upwardly from opposing ends of the base frame member, the side frame members and base frame member each having a “U” shaped channel formed therein, the channel in the first side frame member facing the channel in the second side frame member and the channel in the base frame member facing upwardly to form a continuous channel whereby the display slides into and is supported by the channel within the frame members, and support means for mounting the frame members on a supporting structure. The supporting structure can be an automobile towing hitch, trunk lid as well as building surfaces, poles, and wires.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A display support for releasably and rigidly holding a flat display comprising: 
 (a) a base frame member;    (b) first and second side frame members extending upwardly from opposing ends of said base frame member, said side frame members and said base frame member each having a substantially “U” shaped channel formed therein, said channel in said first side frame member facing said channel in said second side frame member and said channel in said base frame member facing upwardly to form a continuous channel whereby said display slides into and is supported by said channel defined by said frame members; and    (c) support means for mounting said frame members on a supporting structure.    
     
     
         2 . A display support according to  claim 1 , wherein said flat display is a sign.  
     
     
         3 . A display support according to  claim 1 , wherein said support means comprises at least one horizontal bracket having opposing ends connected to said first and second side frame members for mounting said frame members to said supporting structure.  
     
     
         4 . A display support according to  claim 3  wherein said bracket includes apertures therein for mounting said frame members to a supporting structure.  
     
     
         5 . A display support according to  claim 3  further comprising at least one adjustable stabilizing member attached to said bracket for mounting said frame members to said supporting structure.  
     
     
         6 . A display support according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one horizontal bracket having opposing ends connected to said first and second side frame members and having apertures therein for attaching accessories such as lights and license plates.  
     
     
         7 . A display support according to  claim 1 , wherein said supporting structure is an automobile and said support means comprises: 
 (a) a horizontal support member having first and second ends, said first end having attachment means for releasable attachment to a towing hitch on an automobile; and    (b) a vertical support member connected to the second end of said horizontal support member and extending upwardly therefrom, said base frame member attached to said vertical support member whereby said display is positioned above said towing hitch.    
     
     
         8 . A display support according to  claim 7 , further comprising at least one horizontal bracket having opposing ends connected to said first and second side frame members, said bracket attached to said vertical support member for stabilizing said frame members.  
     
     
         9 . A display support according to  claim 8 , further comprising at least one stabilizing member extending from said bracket to said horizontal support member for stabilizing said frame members.  
     
     
         10 . A display support according to  claim 3 , wherein said supporting structure is a flat surface and said supporting means comprises: 
 (a) a first support member for positioning on said flat surface;    (b) a second support member connected to said first support member and extending vertically therefrom, said base frame member attached to said second support member;    (c) a third support member connected to said first and second support members so as to form a triangle; and    (d) at least two straps connected to said horizontal bracket, each of said straps having means for releasably attaching to said flat surface.    
     
     
         11 . A display support according to  claim 1 , wherein said supporting structure is a flat surface and said supporting means comprises: 
 (a) first and second horizontal brackets having opposing ends connected to said fist and second side frame members;    (b) first and second support members for positioning horizontally on said flat surface;    (c) third and fourth support members connected to said first and second support members, respectively, and extending vertically therefrom, said first horizontal bracket mounted on said first and second support members at said opposing ends, and said second horizontal bracket mounted on said third and fourth support members at said opposing ends; and    (d) attachment means connected to at least one of said horizontal brackets for maintaining said display support on said flat surface.    
     
     
         12 . A display support according to  claim 11 , wherein said flat surface is a trunk lid of an automobile and said attachment means comprises a first pair of straps attached to said first horizontal bracket at said opposing ends and a second pair of straps attached to said second horizontal bracket, said straps each having a hook for positioning under said trunk lid to maintain said display support on said trunk lid.  
     
     
         13 . A display support according to  claim 12 , further comprising a third horizontal bracket having opposing ends connected to said first and second side frame members and a third pair of straps attached to said third horizontal bracket at said opposing ends, said straps each having a hook for positioning under said trunk lid to maintain said display support on said trunk lid.  
     
     
         14 . A display support for holding a flat display comprising: 
 (a) a single sheet of material having apertures formed therein;    (b) said apertures adapted for permitting said flat display to be attached to said sheet of material by fasteners extending through said flat display and said apertures; and    (c) straps attached to said sheet of material by inserting a portion of each of said straps through one of said apertures and affixing a fastener on an end thereof, said straps for mounting said sheet of material on a supporting structure.    
     
     
         15 . A display support for holding a flat display comprising: 
 (a) a single sheet of material having a plurality of apertures formed therein;    (b) said apertures adapted for permitting said flat display to be attached to said sheet of material by fasteners extending through said flat display and said apertures;    (c) a horizontal support member having first and second ends, said first end having attachment means for releasable attachment to a towing hitch on an automobile; and    (d) a vertical support member connected to the second end of said horizontal support member and extending upwardly therefrom, said sheet of material mounted on said vertical support member by a fastener extending through at least one of said apertures whereby said display is positioned above said towing hitch.    
     
     
         16 . A display support for holding a flat display comprising: 
 (a) a single sheet of material having a plurality of apertures formed therein;    (b) said apertures adapted for permitting said flat display to be attached to said sheet of material by fasteners extending through said flat display and said apertures;    (c) first and second support members for positioning horizontally on a flat surface;    (d) third and fourth support members connected to said first and second support members, respectively, and extending vertically therefrom, said sheet of material mounted on said support members by fasteners extending through at least four of said apertures and into each of said support members; and    (e) attachment means connected to said sheet of material for maintaining said display support on said flat surface.    
     
     
         17 . A display support for holding a flat display according to claims  14 ,  15  or  16  wherein said apertures comprise four horizontally oriented rectangular apertures, each of said apertures positioned proximate a corner of said sheet and for receiving a strap extending vertically from said sheet of material.  
     
     
         18 . A display support for holding a flat display according to claims  17  wherein said apertures further comprise two pairs of vertically oriented rectangular apertures positioned on opposing sides of said sheet of material for receiving straps extending horizontally from said sheet of material.