Rotatable connector for a display system

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a method comprises coupling to a slotted tube a member having a passage. The method further comprises aligning a passage of an arm with the member's passage, and coupling a through-surface coupling mechanism through the aligned passages, wherein the through-surface coupling mechanism forms an axis about which the arm can rotate. According to another embodiment, a system comprises a slotted frame comprising female slots. The system further comprises a member coupled to the slotted frame, the member comprising a first through-surface coupling portion. The system further comprising an arm comprising a second through-surface coupling portion, and a through-surface coupling mechanism for coupling through the first through-surface coupling portion and the second through-surface coupling portion, thereby providing an axis about which the arm can rotate.

1 . A method comprising:
 coupling to a slotted tube a member having a passage;   aligning a passage of an arm with the member's passage; and   coupling a through-surface coupling mechanism through the aligned passages, wherein the through-surface coupling mechanism forms an axis about which the arm can rotate.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the member is a bracket comprising a male connector for coupling with a female slot of the slotted tube. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the passage of the bracket is on an end of the bracket opposite the male connector. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the through-surface coupling mechanism comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: nut, bolt, pin, rod, and any combination of the foregoing. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the coupling the member to the slotted tube comprises:
 coupling a male connector of a bracket to the slotted tube.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising:
 selecting any one of a plurality of different slots in the slotted tube to which the male connector of the bracket is to be coupled.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the coupling the member to the slotted tube comprises:
 coupling an end cap to an end of the slotted tube.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 arranging the slotted tube in a retail merchandising unit.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 connecting a plurality of slotted tube portions together to form the slotted tube.   
   
   
       10 . A system comprising:
 a slotted frame comprising female slots;   a member coupled to the slotted frame, the member comprising a first through-surface coupling portion;   an arm comprising a second through-surface coupling portion; and   a through-surface coupling mechanism for coupling through the first through-surface coupling portion and the second through-surface coupling portion, thereby providing an axis about which the arm can rotate.   
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the member comprises:
 a bracket comprising a male connector portion for mating with at least one of the female slots of the slotted frame.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the member comprises an end cap that caps a column of the slotted frame. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the end cap comprises an M-shaped portion that inserts into the column of the slotted frame. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the through-surface coupling mechanism comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: nut, bolt, pin, rod, and any combination of the foregoing. 
   
   
       15 . A system comprising:
 a slotted frame comprising female slots;   a bracket comprising
 a) a male connector portion for mating with at least one of the female slots of the slotted frame, and 
 b) a first through-surface coupling portion; 
   an arm comprising a second through-surface coupling portion; and   a through-surface coupling mechanism for coupling through the first through-surface coupling portion and the second through-surface coupling portion, thereby providing an axis about which the arm can rotate.   
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising:
 the second through-surface coupling portion being aligned with the first through-surface coupling portion.   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the slotted frame comprises a slotted standard. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the slotted frame comprises a slotted tube. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the male connector portion can be selectively mated with any of a plurality of the female slots. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the male connector portion enables the bracket to be removably mated to the slotted frame. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the slotted frame comprises:
 at least one row of female slots.