Snap closing panel holder

Abstract

A panel holder is disclosed for hanging posters and other sheet material and which can be either wall mounted or suspended from a ceiling. The holder includes two longitudinal extruded panels each having a longitudinal C-shaped flange situated along one of the panel edges. One flange is inserted within the other one to form a longitudinal interlocking hinge connection. The panels are movable with respect to each other in a transverse direction about this hinge coupling between an open and a closed position. The flanges are dimensioned in such a way that rotation of the panels with respect to one another in the transverse direction results in one of the flanges being elastically deformed during the first part of the motion, with the resulting stored elastic energy being abruptly released during the second part of the panel motion, thereby giving rise to the holder snapping open or closed. At least one of the panels has at least one longitudinal rib member formed thereon and located near a peripheral edge spaced from the C-flange. Each rib member in located on a side of the panel facing a planar portion of the other panel when the panels are in the closed position. Each rib member is made of a softer, more resilient material than the rest of the panel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.