U.S. patent application number 09/849801 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-04 for retail product display system.
Invention is credited to Brozak, Emory.
Application Number | 20010025823 09/849801 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22279439 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010025823 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brozak, Emory |
October 4, 2001 |
Retail product display system
Abstract
An adaptable retail merchandise product display system is
particularly suited for display and storage of printed media in
planar or roll form. The system includes display cassettes
supported in tiers in a cabinet or rack; adjustable roll trays
which accommodate rolled merchandise in various roll widths and
also supported in tiers in a cabinet or rack; a fin to support
merchandise displays and with integral storage compartments; and
display spinners having a central vertical axis and radially
extended attachment points between which display media extends in a
concave form to maximize displayed surface area. The various
aspects of the adaptable display can be combined in different
arrangements according to the type of merchandise and the retail
environment.
Inventors: |
Brozak, Emory;
(Strongsville, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CALFEE HALTER & GRISWOLD, LLP
800 SUPERIOR AVENUE
SUITE 1400
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
22279439 |
Appl. No.: |
09/849801 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09849801 |
May 4, 2001 |
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09547251 |
Apr 11, 2000 |
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09547251 |
Apr 11, 2000 |
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09100378 |
Jun 19, 1998 |
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6068139 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/55 ;
211/128.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 1/12 20130101; A47F
7/17 20130101; A47F 5/0025 20130101; A47F 7/163 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/55 ;
211/128.1 |
International
Class: |
A47F 005/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A display system for storing and displaying merchandise, the
display system comprising: one or more vertical display columns
having of opposed sidewalls with each sidewall having a bracket
affixed thereto; each said bracket having aligned terraced slots
for receiving one or more cassettes; each said cassette having one
or more compartments for receiving merchandise.
2. The display system of claim 1 wherein said bracket further
comprises a discrete metal strip.
3. The display system of claim 1 wherein each said bracket slot has
a cross-sectional L shape.
4. The display system of claim 1 wherein said cassette further
comprises a front cover which extends over said one or more
compartments to return merchandise in said compartments.
5. The display system of claim 1 wherein said cassette further
comprises: an outer backing having a plurality of retaining clips
and one or more spacers on an inner surface to cooperate with and
front cover to form said compartments for containing merchandise;
and said front cover having outer flanges for reception into said
retaining clips.
6. The display system of claim 1 wherein said cassette further
comprises means for adjusting the depth of the compartment.
7. The display system of claim 1 wherein said cassette further
comprises: an adjustment clip having a receptacle for supporting
merchandise and a clip end for reception into one or more
vertically arranged slots said outer backing.
8. A display system for storing and displaying generally
cylindrical articles, the display system comprising: a plurality of
roll trays vertically arranged for supporting generally cylindrical
objects generally horizontally within said roll trays; each said
roll tray having a front portion comprised of a transparent
material sufficient for viewing an exterior surface of said
cylindrical objects.
9. The display system of claim 8 wherein said front portions of
said roll trays are generally curved to conform to outer surfaces
of the generally cylindrical objects.
10. The display system of claim 8 wherein said roll trays are
angled toward a front side of the display system.
11. The roll trays of claim 10 further comprising a pocket on an
exterior surface of said front portion.
12. A display system for storing and displaying generally
cylindrical articles the display system comprising: a plurality of
roll trays for supporting generally cylindrical objects arranged in
one or more vertical columns and affixed to a frame; each said roll
tray having support trays which can be adjusted to support
cylindrical articles of different widths.
13. The display system of claim 12 further comprising a plurality
of roll trays for supporting cylindrical objects with each said
roll tray having a front portion comprised of a transparent
material to expose an exterior surface of said cylindrical objects,
and further having a pocket mounted on an exterior surface of said
front portion.
14. The display system of claim 12 further comprising a rotatable
elongate member mounted on a front portion of said display system
for displaying merchandise on first and second sides of the
elongate member.
15. An adjustable tray assembly for supporting two or more types of
cylindrical objects of the same or differing widths comprising: a
first and second pair of support trays slidably mounted on a panel
having a track with spaced teeth and grooves between the teeth; and
each of said support trays having a resilient flap with a ratchet
member positionable in one of said grooves.
16. The support trays of claim 15 comprising fasteners which secure
the support trays in a fixed position upon the panel.
17. The tray of claim 15 wherein said panel has edges for being
slidably received in hooked ends of each of said support trays.
18. A fin assembly for displaying and storing merchandise, the fin
assembly comprising: a pivotally mounted elongate mounting panel
having a first side and a second side; the first side and second
side each having an outer display compartment for displaying
merchandise and an interior compartment having one or more pockets
for storing merchandise.
19. The fin assembly of claim 18 further comprising a plurality of
stepped spacers mounted on each side of said panel; a plurality of
separator clips mounted in between said spacers and forming an
outer display compartment and one or more inner compartments.
20. The fin assembly of claim 18 wherein said inner compartment of
said sample separator clip further comprises friction pins on an
exterior surface for insertion into holes in said stepped
spacers.
21. The assembly of claim 18 wherein said sample separator clip
comprises flanges in said outer compartment and a resilient member
for securing a clear cover over said outer compartment.
22. A product display structure comprising: a plurality of rigid
panels arranged to extend radially outward from a vertical axis; a
flexible panel extending between adjacent radial ends of said rigid
panels to form a concave display surface; and said panels being
rotatably mounted upon a base.
23. The carousel display spinner of claim 22 wherein each rigid
panel is generally perpendicular to adjacent rigid panels.
24. The carousel display spinner of claim 22 wherein an outer
radial end of each of said rigid panels comprises a flange, and
said flexible panel being retained by said flanges.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention pertains generally to merchandise
display and related hardware for displaying products in a retail
environment and more particularly, to retail product display
systems which are selectively configurable to display cylindrical
objects such as wallpaper, wrapping paper or greeting card products
in interchangeable arrangements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Prior art wallpaper sample books have been typically used by
retailers to allow consumers to view a plethora of wallpaper
samples. The books are large and difficult to handle, and the
wallpaper samples can be viewed only by opening the book on a large
table. Several tables of book stands are required for each store.
Another disadvantage to this method is that only a few samples can
be displayed at any given time, and it requires the time-consuming
effort and patience of the consumer to thumb through the sample
books. Another disadvantage to this method is that the consumer
cannot retain a sample for their personal use and instead must
borrow the sample book in order to effectively coordinate colors.
Further, the consumer requires the assistance of a sales clerk to
order the wallpaper.
[0003] More recently, a do-it-yourself concept in marketing
wallpaper has resulted in the display of wallpaper samples and
wallpaper rolls such as that shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,121,718,
4,175,807 and 5,031,781. Many prior art display racks have the
disadvantage of providing the display of only a fixed width of
wallpaper. Rolls of wallpaper vary in width and size which will
result in a waste of space when used in the prior art display
racks. Thus for example, it is not generally feasible to display
wallpaper rolls on display racks adjacent matching border rolls
because of the huge disparity in widths. Another disadvantage to
the prior art display racks is that they generally do not provide
for the display of more than one type of wallpaper in a row.
Further, the prior art display racks generally do not provide for
an easily accessible and removable sample adjacent the wallpaper
roll.
[0004] It is often desirable to display just the wallpaper samples
in a large array in an easily retrievable and
aesthetically-pleasing manner. The wallpaper sample displays of the
prior art are disadvantageous in that they require the customer to
hunt and retrieve the desired sample after viewing a large static
display of samples.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0005] The present invention overcomes these and other
disadvantages of the prior art, while providing a wallpaper roll
assembly which can accommodate wallpaper rolls of varying widths in
a single row or even in adjacent rows. The invention also provides
for the storage and display of several rolls of wallpaper of
varying widths contained within in its own independent adjustable
width carrier. Further it is desirable to provide for an easily
accessible sample adjacent the displayed wallpaper roll. The
present invention further provides a space-efficient display of
samples.
[0006] The invention provides in one aspect a display system for
storing merchandise such as wallpaper samples or greetings cards
comprising one or more vertical display columns comprised of
opposed sidewalls with each sidewall having a bracket affixed
thereto. Each of the brackets have aligned terraced slots for
receiving one or more cassettes with each of the cassettes
comprising one or more compartments for receiving merchandise.
[0007] The invention provides in another aspect a display system
for storing and displaying cylindrical articles comprising a
plurality of roll trays for supporting cylindrical objects arranged
in one or more vertical columns and affixed to a frame. Each of the
roll trays have a front portion comprised of a transparent material
sufficient for viewing an exterior surface of the cylindrical
objects.
[0008] The invention provides in yet another aspect a display
system for storing and displaying cylindrical articles comprising a
plurality of roll trays for supporting cylindrical objects arranged
in one or more vertical columns and affixed to a frame. Each of the
roll trays have means for supporting cylindrical articles in one or
more adjustable width bins.
[0009] The invention provides in still another aspect a tray for
supporting two or more types of cylindrical objects of the same or
differing widths comprising a first and second pair of support
trays slidably mounted on a panel having a track comprised of
spaced teeth with grooves therebetween. Each of the support trays
have a resilient flap with a ratchet member being positionable in
said grooves.
[0010] The invention provides in still another aspect a fin
assembly for displaying and storing wallpaper samples and the like,
the assembly comprising a pivotally mounted elongate mounting panel
having a first side and a second side. Each side has an outer
display compartment for displaying samples and an interior
compartment having one or more pockets for storing consumer
samples.
[0011] The invention provides in still another aspect a carousel
display spinner comprising a plurality of rigid panels arranged to
extend radially outward from a vertical axis. A flexible panel is
affixed to adjacent radial ends of the rigid panels forming a wide
area concave display surface and with all of the panels being
rotatably mounted upon a base.
[0012] These and other aspects of the invention are herein
described in particularized detail with reference to the
accompanying Figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0013] In the accompanying Figures:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wall paper cassette
cabinet constructed in accordance with the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wall paper cassette
cabinet of FIG. 1, shown with the cassettes removed;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cassette of the cassette
cabinet as shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in the direction 4-4 of
FIG. 1 showing the cassette mounted in the cabinet;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a front view of a second embodiment of a roll
display cabinet constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a side view of the roll display cabinet as shown
in FIG. 5;
[0020] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
roll display cabinet as shown in FIG. 5;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded view of a fixed-width roll
tray as shown in FIG. 5;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an adjustable roll tray and
mounting brackets of the present invention as shown in FIG. 5;
[0023] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in the direction
10-10 of FIG. 9 of a section of the roll tray and cabinet
configured in accordance with the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in the direction
11-11 of FIG. 9 of a section of the roll tray and cabinet
configured in accordance with the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view in the
direction 12-12 of FIG. 11;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a roll cabinet shown in
combination with a carousel constructed in accordance with the
present invention; and
[0027] FIG. 14 is a top view of the carousel as shown in FIG.
13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, a
cassette display cabinet is shown generally at 10 and which is
suitable for, but not limited to, displaying generally planar
objects, such as for example, greeting cards, wrapping paper, other
printed media, material samples such as wallpaper samples. The
display system 10 is comprised of a frame 20 and a plurality of
sample cassettes 30 which are arranged in a terraced manner. The
frame 20 is made of a pair of opposed sidewalls 22 having a lower
portion 24 which gradually tapers from the bottom 26 to the
mid-section 27 of the frame 20. Alternatively, the opposed
sidewalls 22 may gradually taper upwardly the entire vertical
dimension of the display 110. The frame 20 may also contain a
header 40 which may optionally contain a partially concealed
fluorescent light (not shown) located behind a front panel 44 which
may optionally have advertising indicia (Not shown). The
merchandise display frame 20 may be dimensioned at any desired
width and vertical extent in order to fit within and optimize a
product display area in a store. FIG. 1 represents only one
possible combination of the frame, array of columns and vertical
support wall. Other similar hardware can be used to form a
merchandise display wall in accordance with the invention.
[0029] The cassette display cabinet 10 as shown in FIG. 1 further
contains an open front section 46 for displaying two terraced
columns 48, 48' of cartridges 30, although one or more columns may
be used. If two or more columns 48 are utilized, the frame 20
further contains an intermediate support wall 28 interdisposed
between the adjoining columns. A back wall 50 interconnects the
side walls 22 and the intermediate support walls 28 by any suitable
fastening method such as screws in conjunction with support
brackets or other suitable means well known in the art.
[0030] Each vertical column 48 has two wallpaper cassette support
brackets 60 which are made of metal or woodland are affixed to the
adjacent wall 22,28 with any suitable method such as fasteners and
mounting brackets (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the
wallpaper cassette support brackets 60 are preferably made of a
single metal strip which has been formed in the shape of a series
of l-shaped slots 62 arranged in a terraced configuration. A first
and second cassette support brackets 60 has aligned L-shaped slots
62 to receive and hold a wallpaper sample cassette 30.
[0031] The wallpaper sample cassette 30 as shown in FIG. 3 is made
of an outer plastic or metal backing 32 having upper and lower
retaining clips 38 into which outer flanges 36 of a clear plastic
cover 34 snap fit therein. The cover 34 has optional openings 33
for allowing consumers to touch the exterior surface of the
wallpaper sample 35 as well as facilitate removal and installation
of the adjustment clip 80 from the cassette 30. The clear plastic
cover 34 has outer flanges 36 which are slidably mounted underneath
upper and lower retaining clips 38 of the outer backing 32. The
clear plastic cover 34 additionally comprises cutouts 37 for
facilitating easy removal of the sample 35 from the cassette 30.
The sample cassette 30 is divided into two or more compartments 39
formed by spacers 41 for containing and displaying a wallpaper
sample 35. The outer backing 32 comprises one or more slots 70 for
receiving an adjustment clip 80, which provides for the adjustment
of wallpaper samples of varying heights. The adjustment clip 80 is
utilized to vary the vertical height of the compartment 39 such
that samples of varying widths may be easily retrieved. The
adjustment clip 80 comprises a distal end 82 having a first and
second member which cooperate to form a clip 84 for retention about
the slot 70 of the cassette 30. The opposing end of the adjustment
clip 80 cooperates with the cassette outer backing 32 to form a
L-shaped support shelf 86 for retaining the samples 35 within the
compartment 39. The adjustment clips 80 allow the depth of the
compartment 39 to be varied in order to display samples of varying
dimensions with the same vertical height in a consistent
esthetically pleasing manner.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of sample cassettes 30 are
mountable and removable within a column of the display system 10.
Each cassette 30 is slidably insertable into the aligned L-shaped
slots of the support brackets 60.
[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention with
a combined wallpaper sample and wallpaper roll display system 100.
The roll display cabinet 100 has a base 122, a header 124 and
opposed side frames 126 mounted therebetween with an open frontal
display area 128. The header 124 may optionally contain a partially
concealed fluorescent light (not shown) located behind a front
panel 132 which may also have advertising indicia (not shown). Side
and rear aesthetically pleasing wood or plastic panels 134 may be
mounted on the side frames 126. The display area 128 may be further
divided into one or more columns by a pair of adjacent intermediate
support frames 130. The column width may be varied in order to
display different widths of cylindrical rolls. Within each display
column a plurality of roll bins are mounted as shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 5 illustrates two types of roll trays or bins: an adjustable
width roll tray 140 and a fixed width sample pocket tray 160.
[0034] As best shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the fixed width roll tray
160 contains a left and right roll tray bracket 162, 164
respectively, which cooperate together to form a bin for supporting
and displaying cylindrical rolls 166 such as wall paper and
wrapping paper. Each roll tray bracket 162,164 has a planar bottom
wall 168 and side wall 170 joined together such that the walls are
perpendicular with respect to each other. Each left and right roll
tray bracket 162,164 has a front section 180 which is preferably
made of a hard clear plastic sufficient for viewing and displaying
the cylindrical roll. The front section 180 is attached to the
walls 168,170 via any conventional means known in the art.
Preferably, the front section 180 has a rectangular slot 182
located on an exterior surface for receiving a mounting bracket 172
located therein. The bottom wall 168 further comprises a retaining
flap or hook 174 for reception of a planar surface 184 of the front
section 180. The front section 180 further comprises a pocket 190
for storing a plurality of merchandise samples or displaying
advertising or pricing information.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 6, each roll tray bracket 162,164 is
mounted in an angled manner utilizing the brackets 172 positioned
within slots of the frame 126. Thus the roll tray brackets are
aligned and angled such that a plurality of wallpaper brackets
cooperate to form a plurality of vertically-spaced wallpaper roll
trays or bins that are tilted forward to facilitate removal of the
rolls by consumers from the trays.
[0036] The display system 100 may additionally contain an
adjustable width roll tray 140 as best shown in FIG. 9, which is
especially suited for displaying border wallpaper rolls which have
a much shorter width and come in non-standard sizes than regular
wallpaper. The wallpaper tray 140 may comprise only a single bin of
wallpaper rolls, or may comprise two or more bins of border rolls,
with each bin having an adjustable width. The adjustable wallpaper
tray 140 comprises one or more left support trays 142 and a
matching right support tray 144. The left and right support trays
142,144 are identical mechanically except for being the mirror
image of each other, and which cooperate to define a wallpaper or
border support tray. The support trays 142, 144 may be comprised of
any suitable plastic or metal material, and preferably, a clear
hard plastic. Each of the support trays 142, 144 are slidably
mounted upon a panel 200 having a track 202 of spaced grooves 204
and teeth 205. The panel 200 further comprises angled edges 210 for
being slidably received in the hooked ends 146 of the support trays
142,144, as best shown in FIG. 10. Each support tray 142,144
comprises a planar tray 146 having curved ends 148 with a resilient
flap 150 having a ratchet member 152 on the underside for being
positionable in the grooves 204 between the teeth 205. A small
clearance between the angled surface 210 and the hooked end is
desired in order to facilitate the sliding motion of the support
tray along the grooved track. The desired when the support tray is
lifted slightly in order to disengage the ratchet member 152 from
the teeth. The clearance must not be too great in order to retain
the ratchet member 152 within the groove between adjacent teeth
when the support tray has been adjusted to the desired location.
The support trays 142,144 mounted upon the ends of the panel 200
may be fixed into position by insertion of plastic push-in
fasteners 220 into holes 222 of the support tray 142,144 and the
panel holes (not shown) of the panel 200.
[0037] Left and right hand mounting brackets 232, 234 are utilized
to mount the wallpaper tray 140 into the frame 126 of the display
100. The angled mounting brackets each have a cutout 236 for
inserting the panel 200 therein. The side brackets 238 are then
mounted and secured into frame 126 slots of the display 100.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 12, the roll display cabinet 100
may additionally comprise a rotatable fin assembly 250 comprising a
vertical display of wallpaper samples 35 with wallpaper samples 37
for consumer's use located behind the display sample in pockets 254
and 256. The advantage to using a rotatable fin assembly in
conjunction with a series of wallpaper trays is that the consumer
may quickly view and rotate the fin assembly 250 to view the
desired samples and then easily retrieve the co-located desired
wallpaper rolls and sample swatches. The fin assembly 250 comprises
two elongate mounting panel 252 mounted back-to back as shown in
FIG. 12 in order to have a double-sided display. The assembled
panels 252 are pivotally mounted via a pair of brackets 258 onto
the roll display cabinet 100. Each panel 252 further comprises a
series of stepped spacers 260 mounted thereon. A plurality of
sample separator clips 270 are mounted in between spacers 260 as
explained in more detail below.
[0039] The sample clip 270 is comprised of any suitable material
and is preferably comprised of a hard clear plastic. The clip 270
further comprises an inner compartment 272 and an outer compartment
274 for housing wallpaper samples. The sample clip 270 is mounted
onto the panel 260 by friction pins 276 located on the exterior of
the inner compartment 272 which are inserted into holes in the
middle step 278 of spacer 260.
[0040] A display wallpaper sample 35 or combination of samples such
as a border and matching wallpaper sample are housed within the
first compartment behind a clear plastic cover which is inserted
into the outer compartment 274. The clear cover 280 is held in
place by flanges 282 and the resilient member 284 which pushes the
sample 35 and cover 280 against the flanges 282. The wallpaper
samples 37 for consumer's use are located behind the display sample
37 in the pockets 254 and 256 formed by the sample clip 270.
Further, the wallpaper rolls which correspond with the wallpaper
samples are located next to the fin assembly for ease of retrieval
by the consumer.
[0041] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate another embodiment of the
invention containing a carousel 300 shown in combination with a
wallpaper roll display rack. The carousel 300 may also be utilized
separate from the wallpaper display rack. The carousel 300 is
utilized to display a series of wallpaper samples or wallpaper
borders. The carousel 300 comprises a plurality of rigid panels 302
arranged to extend radially outward from a vertical axis 304 and
forming a center hole for receiving a pole mounted upon a base 310.
The carousel 300 is thus rotatable about the vertical axis 304. The
distal edge 312 of each panel 302 further comprising flanges 314
having tabbed ends for retaining a flexible display panel 320
slidably received therein. When the display panels 320 are
installed within the flanges 314, a concave mounting display
surface is formed for mounting a plurality of wallpaper samples
thereon. Because the mounting display surface is preferably
concave, a greater amount of wallpaper surface area may be
displayed.
[0042] Although described with reference to certain preferred and
alternate embodiments, certain modifications and variations of the
general principles of the invention which may be apparent to those
of skill in the art are all within the scope of the invention as
defined by the accompanying claims and equivalents thereto. For
example, although shown in certain embodiments, the individual
aspects of the system of the invention; such as the cassettes, the
cassette display cabinet, the fixed and adjustable roll displays,
the roll display cabinet, the fin assembly and the carousel, can be
combined in any manner to provide different displays adaptable to
any type of retail environment. Thus, the invention provides a
highly adaptable product display system which is not limited to the
particular combinations drawn herein. Furthermore, the proportions,
dimensions and relative sizes of the combined display elements may
be selectively varied in accordance with the invention.
* * * * *