U.S. patent application number 09/343384 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-03 for rotating sunglass merchandiser display unit.
Invention is credited to BARTLEY, BRUCE J., ETTINGER, JUDD A., KIDD, R. CHRISTOPHER.
Application Number | 20020000417 09/343384 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26802041 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020000417 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIDD, R. CHRISTOPHER ; et
al. |
January 3, 2002 |
ROTATING SUNGLASS MERCHANDISER DISPLAY UNIT
Abstract
A rotating sunglass merchandiser display unit includes vertical
display panels disposed between top and bottom horizontal support
members. At least one of the vertical display panels is rotatable
between a first position for displaying sunglasses, eyeglass frames
or similar merchandise, and a second position for displaying
promotional material or other non-eyewear products. The display
unit includes a locking mechanism for releasably locking the
rotatable vertical display panel in either the first or second
display positions.
Inventors: |
KIDD, R. CHRISTOPHER; (NEW
YORK, NY) ; ETTINGER, JUDD A.; (HAUPPAUGE, NY)
; BARTLEY, BRUCE J.; (NEW YORK, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GOTTLIEB RACKMAN & REISMAN P C
270 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK
NY
10016
|
Family ID: |
26802041 |
Appl. No.: |
09/343384 |
Filed: |
June 30, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60104881 |
Oct 20, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/85.1 ;
211/163; 211/165; 211/194 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 7/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/85.1 ;
211/163; 211/194; 211/165 |
International
Class: |
A47F 007/02 |
Claims
1. A merchandise display unit for displaying sunglasses,
non-prescription reading glasses or the like comprising: a first
support member; a second support member; a display panel disposed
between said first support member and said second support member,
said display panel rotatably movable between a first eyewear
display position and a second non-eyewear display position; said
display panel including a nose bridge support member and temple
openings for supporting an eyeglass frame for display when said
display panel is in said first eyewear display position; and a
locking mechanism on at least one of said first support member or
said second support member for releasably locking said display
panel in said first eyewear display position or in said second
non-eyewear display position.
2. A merchandise display unit according to claim 1 further
including: a display board carried by said display panel so that
said display board is substantially visible when said display panel
is in said second non-eyewear display position and so that said
display board is substantially hidden from view when said display
panel is in said first eyewear display position.
3. A merchandise display unit according to claim 2 wherein: said
display board includes promotional material disposed thereon.
4. A merchandise display unit according to claim 3 wherein: said
display board includes graphics disposed thereon.
5. A merchandise display unit according to claim 2 wherein: said
locking mechanism includes a first flexible tab located on said
first support member and a second flexible tab located on said
second support member.
6. A merchandise display unit according to claim 5 wherein: said
display panel includes a top wall and a bottom wall, each said top
wall and said bottom wall including an indent for receiving a
flexible tab of said locking mechanism.
7. A merchandise display unit according to claim 2 wherein: said
display board includes temple openings for receiving the temples of
the eyeglass frame when said display panel is in said first eyewear
display position.
8. A merchandise display unit according to claim 7 wherein: said
display panel further includes edge walls.
9. A merchandise display unit according to claim 8 wherein: said
temple openings of said display panel are located through said edge
walls of said display panel.
10. A merchandise display unit according to claim 9 wherein: said
edge walls include tabs for releasably receiving said display
board.
11. A merchandise display unit according to claim 1 wherein: said
rotatable display panel defines a front wall, a plurality of
sidewalls and an edge wall extending from each sidewall.
12. A merchandise display unit according to claim 11 wherein: said
nose bridge support member further includes a protruding support
extending from said front wall of said display panel and a nose
bridge support opening located in said front wall of said display
panel.
13. A merchandise display unit according to claim 12 wherein: said
protruding support is slanted toward said front wall of said
display panel.
14. A merchandise display unit according to claim 13 wherein: said
protruding support is of an inverted u-shape.
15. A merchandise display unit according to claim 14 wherein: said
protruding support terminates at its end furthermost from said
front wall in a lip.
16. A merchandise display unit according to claim 13 wherein: said
temple openings are located through said edge walls of said display
panel and said temple openings are lower than said protruding
support such that the eyeglass frame is tilted upwardly when said
eyeglass frame is disposed on said display panel.
17. A merchandise display unit according to claim 16 further
including: a display board carried by said display panel so that
said display board is substantially visible when said rotatable
display panel is in said second non-eyewear display position and so
that said display board is substantially hidden from view when said
display panel is in said first eyewear display position.
18. A merchandise display unit according to claim 17 wherein: said
display board includes promotional material disposed thereon.
19. A merchandise display unit according to claim 18 wherein: said
display board includes graphics disposed thereon.
20. A merchandise display unit according to claim 19 wherein: said
locking mechanism includes a first flexible tab located on said
first support member and a second flexible tab located on said
second support member.
21. A merchandise display unit according to claim 20 wherein: said
display panel includes a top wall and a bottom wall, each said top
and bottom wall including an indent for receiving a flexible tab of
said locking means.
22. A merchandise display unit according to claim 21 wherein: said
display board includes temple openings for receiving the temples of
the eyeglass frame when said rotatable display panel is in said
first eyewear display position.
23. A merchandise display unit according to claim 22 wherein: said
edge walls include tabs for releasably receiving said display
board.
24. A merchandise display unit for displaying sunglasses,
non-prescription reading glasses or the like comprising: a first
support member; a second support member; a plurality of display
panels disposed between said first support member and said second
support member, at least one of said display panels rotatably
movable between a first eyewear display position and a second
non-eyewear display position; each of said plurality of display
panels including a nose bridge support member and temple openings
for supporting an eyeglass frame for display; and a locking
mechanism on at least one of said first support member or said
second support member for releasably locking said at least one
rotatable display panel in said first eyewear display position or
in said second non-eyewear display position.
25. A merchandise display unit according to claim 24 further
including: a display board carried by said at least one rotatable
display panel so that said display board is substantially visible
when said at least one rotatable vertical display panel is in said
second non-eyewear display position and so that said display board
is substantially hidden from view when said at least one rotatable
display panel is in said first eyewear display position.
26. A merchandise display unit according to claim 25 wherein: said
display board includes promotional material disposed thereon.
27. A merchandise display unit according to claim 26 wherein: said
display board includes graphics disposed thereon.
28. A merchandise display unit according to claim 25 wherein: said
locking mechanism includes a first flexible tab located on said
first support member and a second flexible tab located on said
second support member.
29. A merchandise display unit according to claim 28 wherein: said
at least one rotatable display panel includes a top wall and a
bottom wall, each said top wall and said bottom wall including an
indent for receiving a flexible tab of said locking mechanism.
30. A merchandise display unit according to claim 25 wherein: said
display board includes temple openings for receiving the temples of
the eyeglass frame when said at least one rotatable display panel
is in said first eyewear display position.
31. A merchandise display unit according to claim 30 wherein: said
at least one display panel further includes edge walls.
32. A merchandise display unit according to claim 31 wherein: said
temple openings of said at least one rotatable display panel are
located through said edge walls of said display panel.
33. A merchandise display unit according to claim 32 wherein: said
edge walls include tabs for releasably receiving said display
board.
34. A merchandise display unit according to claim 24 wherein: said
plurality of display panels each defines a front wall, a plurality
of sidewalls and an edge wall extending from each sidewall.
35. A merchandise display unit according to claim 34 wherein: said
nose bridge support member further includes a protruding support
extending from said front wall and a nose bridge support opening
located in said front wall.
36. A merchandise display unit according to claim 35 wherein: said
protruding support is slanted toward said front wall.
37. A merchandise display unit according to claim 36 wherein: said
protruding support is of an inverted u-shape.
38. A merchandise display unit according to claim 37 wherein: said
protruding support terminates at its end furthermost from said
front wall in a lip.
39. A merchandise display unit according to claim 36 wherein: said
temple openings are located through said edge walls and said temple
openings are lower than said protruding support such that the
eyeglass frame is tilted upwardly when said eyeglass frame is
disposed on said display panels.
40. A merchandise display unit according to claim 24 wherein: at
least a further one of said plurality of display panels is
non-rotatable and is permanently in said first eyewear display
position.
41. A merchandise display unit according to claim 40 further
including: a second locking mechanism on at least one of said first
support member or said second support member for permanently fixing
said at least one non-rotatable display panel in said first eyewear
display position.
42. A merchandise display unit according to claim 40 wherein: said
display unit includes an even number of display panels.
43. A merchandise display panel according to claim 42 wherein:
rotatable display panels alternate with non-rotatable display
panels.
44. A merchandise display unit according to claim 24 wherein: the
width of each display panel is greater than twenty times the
distance between adjacent ones of said plurality of display panels,
when said adjacent display panels are in said first eyewear display
positions.
45. A multi-tier rotating merchandise display unit for displaying
sunglasses, non-prescription reading glasses or the like
comprising: a first rotating display unit including a first support
member; a second support member; at least one display panel
disposed between said first support member and said second support
member, said at least one display panel rotatably movable between a
first eyewear display position and a second non-eyewear display
position; said at least one display panel including a nose bridge
support member and temple openings for supporting an eye-glass
frame for display when said at least one display panel is in said
first eyewear display position; means on at least one of said first
support member or said second support member for releasably locking
said at least one display panel in said first eyewear display
position or in said second non-eyewear display position; a second
rotating display unit including a third support member; a fourth
support member; at least one display panel disposed between said
third support member and said fourth support member, said at least
one display panel rotatably movable between a first eyewear display
position and a second non-eyewear display position; said at least
one display panel including a nose bridge support member and temple
openings for supporting an eyeglass frame for display when said at
least one display panel is in said first eyewear display position;
means on at least one of said third support member or said fourth
support member for releasably locking said at least one display
panel in said first eyewear display position or in said second
non-eyewear display position; said first rotating display unit
being disposed on said second rotating display unit; and means on
said first rotating display unit and on said second rotating
display unit for connecting said display units together so that
they rotate together.
46. A display unit for displaying merchandise comprising: a first
support member; a second support member; at least one display panel
disposed between said first support member and said second support
member, said at least one display panel rotatably movable between a
first display position and a second display position; and means on
at least one of said first support member or said second support
member for releasably locking said at least one display panel in
said first display position or in said second display position.
47. A merchandise display unit according to claim 46 wherein: said
at least one display panel includes a display board carried by said
rotatable display panel so that said display board is substantially
visible when. said at least one display panel is in said second
display position and so that said display board is substantially
hidden from view when said at least one display panel is in said
first display position.
48. A merchandise display unit according to claim 47 wherein: said
display board includes promotional material disposed thereon.
49. A merchandise display unit according to claim 48 wherein: said
display board includes graphics disposed thereon.
50. A merchandise display unit according to claim 47 wherein: said
locking means includes a first flexible tab located on said first
support member and a second flexible tab located on said second
support member.
51. A merchandise display unit according to claim 50 wherein: each
of said at least one display panel includes a top wall and a bottom
wall, each said top wall and bottom wall including an indent for
receiving a flexible tab of said locking means.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Merchandiser display units are well known in the art. These
units, ubiquitous at retail locations, serve the function of
displaying a wide array of merchandise to consumers. Such
merchandiser display units have found particular utilization in
displaying sunglasses and/or non-prescription reading glasses.
Although such display units are generally known in the art, they
have, as a general rule, suffered from several disadvantages.
[0002] To begin with, the display units usually carry numerous
sunglasses or non-prescription eyeglasses, for purposes of
displaying these items to the consumer for eventual consumer
purchase. As the consumer removes a sunglass or non-prescription
eyeglass from the display, and purchases it, the display unit is
left with a vacancy where the sunglass or non-prescription eyeglass
was located. As more and more sunglasses or non-prescription
eyeglasses are sold, more and more vacant locations on the display
unit are created. This lessens the overall appeal of the display to
other consumers for the remaining sunglasses or non-prescription
eyeglasses. To overcome this, the display requires frequent
restocking of the display unit, frequently from stock kept at a
remote location, with commensurate time and effort of sales
personnel.
[0003] Yet another disadvantage of existing display units,
especially those for displaying sunglasses or non-prescription
eyeglasses, arises in the rather large "foot print" which these
units require, especially in display units which are used to
display a significant number of sunglasses or non-prescription
eyeglasses.
[0004] Yet a further disadvantage of existing merchandiser display
units, especially those for displaying sunglasses or
non-prescription eyeglasses, arises from the fact that a "trade
off" must be made between displaying the sunglasses or
non-prescription eyeglasses, and promotional or other materials
relating to this merchandise. On one hand, the more merchandise
that is displayed, the less room there is for promotional,
advertising or other material. On the other hand, the more
advertising, promotional or other material included in the display
unit, the less room there is for displaying the actual eyewear
merchandise.
[0005] A still further disadvantage of existing merchandiser
display units, especially those used for displaying sunglasses, is
that sunglasses tend to be seasonal merchandise in many parts of
the United States. During the summer months, demand for sunglasses
is high; the demand is lower in winter months. Retailers tend to
move merchandiser display units for sunglasses to storage in winter
months, especially if the display units have a large sunglass
display capacity. If the units are stored away, sales of the
sunglasses suffer since no sunglasses are available on the unit for
consumer purchase. Moreover, the merchandiser units are sometimes
damaged in storage.
[0006] Yet another disadvantage of existing merchandiser display
units, especially those used for displaying sunglasses or
non-prescription eyeglasses, results from the fact that frequently
the retailer requires two types of display units, namely, a display
unit for counter display and a display unit for floor display. This
results in increased manufacturing costs, because two different
types of units must be manufactured, namely, a shorter unit for
counter top display and a taller unit for floor display.
[0007] Accordingly, it is a broad object of the present invention
to provide a merchandiser display unit, particularly one for
displaying sunglasses or non-prescription eyeglasses, which
overcomes one or more of the disadvantages mentioned above.
[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
merchandiser display unit, particularly for displaying sunglasses
or non-prescription eyeglasses, which enables a sales person to
restock the display from stock located on the display unit so as to
make it appear that the display unit has fewer display
vacancies.
[0009] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a merchandiser display unit, particularly for displaying
sunglasses or non-prescription eyeglasses, which has a relatively
small footprint, but nonetheless accomplishes the goal of
displaying a relatively large number of sunglasses or
non-prescription eyewear in an efficient manner.
[0010] Yet a still further object of the present invention is to
provide a merchandiser display unit, particularly for sunglasses or
non-prescription eyeglasses, which allows the unit to have one or
more areas for providing or displaying promotional material.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
merchandiser display unit, particularly for displaying sunglasses,
in which the unit's capacity to display sunglasses may be
seasonably adjusted--with more sunglasses being displayed in summer
months and, if desired, fewer sunglasses being displayed in winter
months, while still providing a display unit which is visually
appealing during the winter "off" season.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
merchandiser display unit, for sunglasses or non-prescription
eyeglasses, which is aesthetically pleasing, efficient in operation
and display of the product, and which is relatively efficient to
manufacture, in both counter and floor sizes.
[0013] These and other objects of the present invention are
obtained in a merchandiser display unit for sunglasses and/or
non-prescription eyewear having a first support member, a second
support member and a plurality of vertical display panels disposed
between the first support member and the second support member. At
least one of the vertical display panels is rotatably movable
between a first eyewear display position, in which the sunglasses
or non-prescription eyewear are displayed, and a second non-eyewear
display position which is assumed when all of the sunglasses have
been removed from the vertical display panel. Each display panel
includes a nose bridge support element and temple openings for
supporting an eyeglass frame for display, when the rotatable
support panel is in its first eyewear display position. The
merchandise display unit includes locking means for releasably
locking the rotatable vertical display panel in either its first
eyewear display position or its second non-eyewear display
position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Further understanding of the invention will become apparent
upon consideration of the following detailed description in
conjunction with the drawings, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a merchandiser display unit
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the merchandiser
display unit of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial sectional view of the
merchandiser display unit, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and
looking in the direction of the arrows, and further showing the
merchandiser display unit carrying a pair of sunglasses or
non-prescription eyeglasses;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view, taken along the line 4-4
of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view, taken along the line 5-5
of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 3, but
showing one of the rotatable vertical display panels in its second,
non-eyewear display position;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view, enlarged in scale,
showing the interior of one of the rotatable vertical display
panels of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view, enlarged in scale, and
taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7 and looking in the direction of
the arrows, showing the details of the locking mechanism used to
maintain one of the rotatable vertical display panels in
position;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing further details of the
present invention, with one of the rotatable vertical display
panels being in a midway position;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a display board which is
removably insertable into a rotatable vertical display panel;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view, showing further
details of the present invention, with one of the rotatable
vertical display panels in its second non-eyewear display position
and with the display board being removed so as to show further
constructional details of the merchandiser unit;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment
of the merchandiser display unit of the present invention, in which
one unit rests atop another so as to provide a merchandiser display
unit particularly useful for floor displays; and
[0027] FIG. 13 is a sectional view, enlarged in scale, taken along
the line 13-13 of FIG. 12, and showing how one display unit rests
on another in the floor display embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Referring now to the drawings, a merchandiser display unit,
particularly useful in displaying sunglasses, non-prescription
eyeglasses, or other eyewear according to the present invention is
generally designated 10. Display unit 10 advantageously sits on a
base or pedestal 11 which, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, may be
generally square in configuration, although the shape of base 11 is
not particularly important. The base is configured so as to enable
merchandiser display unit 10 to sit on a counter at a retail or
other location.
[0029] Display unit 10 includes a plurality of vertical display
panels, generally designated 12, which are located between a top
horizontal support panel 14 and a bottom horizontal support panel
16. As will be explained in more detail hereinafter, at least one
of the vertical display panels 12a (see FIG. 3) is constructed to
rotate, relative to the top support panel and the bottom support
panel, with rotatable vertical display panel 12a being rotatable
between a first eyewear display position, in which eyeglasses or
sunglasses 34 are presented to the consumer for potential purchase
(see FIG. 3), and a second non-eyewear display position,
approximately 180 degrees from the first display position, in which
the rotatable display panel presents promotional or other material
to the consumer, once all of the eyeglasses or sunglasses 34 have
been removed (see FIG. 6) In its first eyewear display position,
the promotional or other material is substantially hidden from
consumer view (see FIG. 3).
[0030] Each of the vertical display panels 12 is configured to
include a somewhat curved front wall 18 and generally parallel
sidewalls 20 (see FIG. 1) which extend rearwardly from the front
wall. Each of the vertical display panels also includes a plurality
of nose bridge support members, generally designated 24, which are
disposed, one below the other, generally at the center of front
wall 18 of the display panel (see FIG. 2).
[0031] Each nose bridge support member 24 is formed to support the
nose bridge 36 of sunglasses or eyeglasses and, as such, each nose
bridge support member includes a protruding, inverted and generally
unshaped support 28 which protrudes outwardly from front wall 18 of
the vertical display panel, as shown in FIG. 4 and in FIG. 9.
Protruding support 28 is slanted downward toward front wall 18, in
order to better support nose bridge 36 of a pair of sunglasses or
other eyewear placed on the nose bridge support member. The
inverted u-shape of support 28 and its slanted nature also provide
a clean visual presentation and a secure location for sunglasses or
eyeglasses, while permitting easy product removal from the display
unit by the consumer. Further, support 28 may be formed with a
notch or cutout on its upper surface for receiving a tag that hangs
from bridge 36 of sunglasses 34.
[0032] To further facilitate this support and removal, protruding
support 28 terminates, at one of its ends, in a nose bridge support
opening 26 (see FIG. 4, FIG. 7 and FIG. 9) which is formed in front
wall 18 of each of the vertical display panels. Opening 26 prevents
damage to the bridge structure of the sunglasses or eyeglasses as
these items are placed on the nose bridge support member, should
the eyeglasses or sunglasses slip along the incline of protruding
support 28. As shown in FIG. 4 and in FIG. 9, the other end of
protruding support 28 terminates in an upstanding lip 30, which is
provided so that the sunglasses or eyeglasses do not fall off the
nose bridge support member.
[0033] Each vertical display panel 12 includes substantially
identical edge walls 22 which extend outwardly from, and at the
rear of, the respective sidewalls 20 of each vertical display panel
and which terminate at end walls 22a (see FIG. 9). Each edge wall
22 includes a plurality of temple openings 32 which are adapted to
receive the temples 38 of sunglasses or eyeglasses 34, when the
sunglass or eyeglass is placed on the vertical panels 12 of display
unit 10. As shown, for example, in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, two temple
openings 32 are provided for each nose bridge support member 24. As
further shown, for example, in FIG. 7 (which shows a rear view of
the vertical support panel), temple openings 32 define temple
opening surfaces 32a which receive the corresponding right or left
temple of the sunglass or eyeglass which is placed on the nose
bridge support member 24. Temple opening surfaces 32a of temple
openings 32 may be disposed somewhat lower than the protruding
support 28 of nose bridge support member 24, thereby providing,
along with nose bridge support member 24, a structure which tends
to enable the sunglasses or eyeglasses 34 to rest against front
wall 18 of the vertical display panels, thereby providing a secure,
albeit removable, support for the sunglasses or eyeglasses within
merchandiser display unit 10. This also positions the displayed
sunglass or eyeglass at an upward angle for increased
visibility.
[0034] Rotatable vertical display panel 12a is also configured to
receive advertising or promotional material, in the form of a
generally rectangular and planar board 42 (see FIG. 10), which is
carried at the "rear" of the rotatable display panel. Specifically,
the sidewalls 20 of the rotatable vertical display panels define
tabs 40 which allow the display board 42 to slip in, and be held in
place within, rotatable vertical display panel 12a: As shown, for
example, in FIG. 3, board 42 may advantageously be slightly wider
than the distance between the tabs 40 of the edge wall, such that
when the board 42 is inserted it remains slightly bow-shaped
thereby insuring that the board is kept in position as display
panel 12a is rotated, as will be explained hereinafter.
[0035] Board 42, which may advantageously have artwork or graphics
printed thereon, may also be formed to include temple openings 43,
thereby allowing temples 38 of the sunglasses or eyeglasses 34, to
pass not only through temple openings 32 in edge wall 22, but also
through the display board 42, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0036] As shown, for example, in FIG. 7, FIG. 9 and FIG. 11, each
of the vertical display panels 12 includes a top wall 44 and a
bottom wall 46. Top wall 44 and bottom wall 46 cooperate with top
horizontal support panel 14 and bottom horizontal support panel 16,
respectively, to allow rotatable movement of rotatable vertical
display panel 12a from the position generally shown in FIG. 3 to
the position generally shown in FIG. 6. To this end, bottom wall 46
of the display panel includes a post opening 48, which is sized to
receive a post 50 that extends upwardly from bottom horizontal
support panel 16, as indicated in FIG. 9. Similarly, top wall 44 of
the vertical display panel includes an opening (not shown) which
enables a similar post 50a, which extends downwardly from top
horizontal support panel 14, to provide a pivot or turning point
near the top of the display panel, as illustrated in FIG. 11.
[0037] A post collar 51, shown in FIG. 7, provides further support
and facilitates the turning or pivoting action of rotatable
vertical display panel 12a relative to bottom support panel 16. A
similar post collar (not shown), formed as part of top horizontal
support panel 14, similarly facilitates the rotational movement of
rotatable display panel 12a relative to support panel 14.
[0038] Merchandiser display unit 10 also includes a locking
mechanism which releasably locks rotatable vertical display panel
12a in either its first eyewear display position, shown generally
in FIG. 3, in which the display board is hidden from view and in
its second non-eyewear position, wherein the display board 42 is
viewable, as generally shown in FIG. 6.
[0039] Specifically, bottom wall 46 of vertical display panel 12a
includes indents 52 defining stop surfaces 54. Similar indents are
also included (but not shown) in top wall 44 of the vertical
display panel. These indents are adapted to receive flexible tabs
56, formed on both top horizontal support panel 14 (see FIG. 11)
and on bottom horizontal support panel 16 (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 9).
Each flexible tab 56 defines one or more detent buttons 58, thereby
providing a detent button surface 57 or a detent button surface 59
which is adapted to make contact with stop surface 54 on rotatable
vertical display panel 12a. With display panel 12a in its first
display position, flexible tabs 56 fit within indents 52, with stop
surface 54 of an indent abutting detent button surface 57 of a
flexible tab. With rotatable vertical display panel 12a rotated 180
degrees, so that the display panel is now in its second non-eyewear
display position, flexible tabs 56 also fit within indents 52, but
this time detent button surfaces 59 abut stop surfaces 54. As will
be explained hereinafter, as rotatable display panel 12a is
rotated, flexible tabs 56 flex to clear respective stop surfaces
54, thereby facilitating rotation of display panel 12a between its
first eyewear display and its second non-eyewear display
positions.
[0040] While one or more of the vertical display panels 12a are
rotatable, it is often beneficial for the entire merchandiser
display unit 10 to also rotate. To this end, display unit 10 is
adapted to receive a central tube 60, which is attached to base 11.
Central tube 60, which passes through an opening defined by collars
62 in bottom horizontal support panel 16 and a corresponding collar
(not shown) in top horizontal support panel 14, allows the
merchandiser display unit 10 to be supported by, and rotate around,
central vertical tube 60. Suitable thrust bearings and washers (not
shown) may be included to permit easy rotation of the merchandiser
display unit relative to central tube 60.
[0041] In order add rigidity to merchandiser display unit 10, the
display unit includes a plurality of ribs which are formed, for
example, in top horizontal support panel 14, bottom horizontal
support panel 16 and vertical display panels 12. Thus, bottom
horizontal support panel 16 includes, as shown for example in FIG.
3, radial ribs 64 which extend outwardly from collar 62, circular
rib 66 generally concentric to collar 62, and radial ribs 67 which
extend from circular rib 66. Cross ribs, 68, are also provided.
Similar ribs (not shown) are formed in top horizontal support panel
14. To add further strength, vertical display panels 12 are formed
to include cross ribs 31, each of which supports an upstanding
flange 33, which is formed to abut the rear of protruding support
28 of nose bridge support member 24, thereby adding strength to the
vertical display panel in the area of each nose bridge support
member.
[0042] To further provide strength and structural integrity to
merchandiser display unit 10, the unit is desirably formed with one
or more vertical display panels 12b which do not rotate, that is,
these vertical display panels may be permanently and securely
attached to top and bottom horizontal support panels, 14 and 16, in
a non-rotating manner. This may be accomplished by providing pins
or screws (not shown) which pass through top horizontal support
panel 14 and top wall 44 of each non-rotating vertical display
panel 12b. Similar pins or screws (not shown) may also be provided
to fasten bottom wall 46 of non-rotating vertical display panel 12b
to bottom horizontal support panel 16, thereby also preventing the
display panel from rotating relative to the bottom horizontal
support panel.
[0043] Alternatively, or in addition to the screws and/or pins,
other ways may be provided to prevent vertical display panel 12b
from rotating. For example, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, bottom
horizontal support panel 16 may include one or more locking barbs
72 which are carried by an upstanding wall 70, with the barb 72
cooperating with bottom wall 46 of non-rotating vertical display
panel 12b, to also fixedly secure bottom horizontal support panel
16 to non-rotating display panel 12b. Locking barb 72
advantageously engages non-rotating display panel 12b at indent 52
and stop surface 54 formed in the bottom wall 46 of the
non-rotatable vertical display panel, thereby keeping panel 12b
fixed in place. One or more corresponding locking barbs (not shown)
may also be formed in top horizontal support panel 14 to engage the
indents formed in top wall 44 of non-rotating display panel 12b to
keep panel 12b fixed in place.
[0044] Each non-rotating vertical display panel 12b, which is
locked in place so as to display the eyeglasses or sunglasses,
functions as a structural member of the entire merchandiser display
unit 10, thereby eliminating or lessening the need for additional
vertical support components. Preferably, an even number of vertical
display panels 12 are provided, with rotating vertical display
panels 12a alternating with fixed or non-rotating vertical display
panels 12b.
[0045] The merchandiser display unit 10 may also be formed in a
floor display version, with this embodiment being illustrated in
FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. In this embodiment, two substantially
identical merchandiser display units 10a and 10b, generally
described previously, are provided with merchandiser display unit
10a resting on merchandiser display unit 10b, and with central
column 60 extending through both units. Each display unit 10a and
10b is formed with a locating and locking post 74 which fits within
a corresponding locating and locking opening 76 formed in the other
unit, thereby maintaining both units 10a and 10b together so that
they can rotate as a single unit. Thus, as shown in FIG. 13,
locating and locking post 74a of unit 10a fits into, and is held in
place within, locating and locking opening 76b formed in display
unit 10b. Similarly, locating and locking post 74b fits within and
cooperates with locating and locking opening 76a formed in display
unit 10a, as illustrated in FIG. 13. A base pedestal 78 may be
provided should it be necessary to add further height to the floor
display unit.
[0046] Since the floor unit essentially is formed of two or more
identical counter units stacked one atop the other, manufacturing
costs are reduced since multiple different molds are not required
for the floor and counter units.
[0047] In operation, a plurality of sunglasses or other eyewear is
placed on merchandiser display unit 10; the sunglasses or
eyeglasses 34 are placed on nose bridge support members 24 such
that nose bridge 36 of each sunglass or eyeglass rests on a
corresponding protruding support 28 and such that the temples 38 of
each eyeglass or sunglass pass through corresponding temple
openings 32 within edge walls 22.
[0048] It should be noted that edge walls 22 of adjacent vertical
display panels are disposed close to each other, that is, a minimum
gap is provided between end walls 22a of adjacent vertical display
panels, thereby providing an aesthetically "clean" look without
large gaps between adjacent vertical display panels which would
otherwise reveal the inside of the unit.
[0049] Typically, a respective vertical display panel 12 is
approximately 53/4 inches (the distance being measured from end
wall 22a to end wall 22a of the vertical display panel), each edge
wall 22 of a respective vertical display panel 12 is approximately
3/4 inches wide (the distance being measured from end wall 22a to
side wall 20) and the distance between side walls 20 is
approximately 41/4 inches. This enables the corresponding temple
openings 32 to be separated by approximately 5 inches (when
measured between the centers of each opening 32). On the other
hand, the gap between end walls 22a of adjacent vertical display
panels 12 is no more than approximately 1/4 inch, and preferably
between about {fraction (1/16)} inch and {fraction (1/32)} inch.
Thus, the width of display panel 12 is over twenty times greater
than the gap between adjacent vertical display panels. This
provides an aesthetically pleasing look and a minimum gap between
adjacent panels.
[0050] Temples 38 of sunglasses or eyeglasses 34 also pass through
temple openings 43 in each of the display or promotional boards 42,
with each board located only on rotating display panels 12a, it
being noted that display boards 42 are viewed only when rotatable
display panel 12a is in the non-eyewear display position (see FIG.
6). There is no need for a board 42 to be inserted into a
non-rotating vertical display panels 12b, since these panels are
always in their eyewear-display position; these non-rotating
display panels 12b do not move and do not include a display board
42 which would not be seen by a consumer.
[0051] As customers purchase the sunglasses or eyeglasses 34,
various vacancies are created along vertical display panels 12. In
due course, the sales person advantageously removes the remaining
sunglasses or eyeglasses from one of the rotatable vertical display
panels 12a, placing them in the once-vacant locations on other
panels. Rotatable vertical display panel 12a, now empty; is then
rotated 180 degrees, with the flexible tabs 56 allowing movement of
display panel 12a relative to top and bottom horizontal support
panels 16 and 18 by flexing (see FIG. 8) to allow detent buttons 58
to "clear" the rotating display panel. (Rotatable vertical display
panel 12a should be rotated only after all the sunglasses or
eyeglasses have been removed--otherwise the sunglasses or
eyeglasses will hit an adjacent display panel 12, resulting in
possible damage to the merchandise.) After approximately 180
degrees of movement, rotatable vertical display panel 12a is moved
from its sunglass or eyeglass display position (see FIG. 3) to the
second non-eyeglass display position, where promotional board 42 is
now visible (see FIG. 6). In this second position, flexible tabs 56
engage indents 52, such that stop surfaces 54 of the indents engage
or abut the respective surfaces 59 of the flexible tabs, to
releasably lock vertical display panel 12a in place in this
non-eyeglass display position.
[0052] In both display positions, flexible tabs 56 are disposed
within indents 52 and abut stop surfaces 54. In the first eyeglass
display position, however, surfaces 57 of detent buttons 58 abut
stop surfaces 54; while in the second non-eyeglass display
position, surfaces 59 of detent buttons 58 abut the stop
surfaces.
[0053] By treating rotatable vertical display panel 12a as a source
of sunglasses or eyewear to be used to fill vacant locations on
fixed vertical display panel 12b,-the rotatable display panel is
"emptied" of sunglasses or eyeglasses and, once emptied, display
panel 12a is then rotated so as to assume its second non-eyewear
display position in which board 42, carrying artwork, graphics or
items ancillary to the sale of the eyewear, may be viewed by the
consumer.
[0054] Rather than providing vacant locations which would otherwise
detract from appeal to the consumer, rotating vertical display
panel 12a provides enhanced consumer appeal for display unit 10 by
allowing graphics, promotional material or even other non-eyewear
items to be displayed when the sunglasses or eyeglasses have been
removed, i.e., when display panel 12a is in its second non-eyewear
display position (FIG. 6). Moreover, since display board 42 is
hidden from view when rotatable vertical display panel 12a is in
its first eyewear display position (FIG. 3), display board 42 does
not detract from sale of the sunglasses or eyeglasses, when
rotatable display panel 12a is carrying or displaying the
sunglasses or eyeglasses carried by this panel.
[0055] Eventually, rotatable vertical display panel 12a is moved
back to its eyeglass display position (with tabs 56 allowing such
rotational movement, by flexing so that detent buttons 58 clear
stop surfaces 54), and additional sunglasses or eyeglasses may be
placed on display panel 12a from stock kept at a remote location or
from other rotatable display panels.
[0056] It will thus be apparent that the objects set forth above
among those made apparent from the preceding description, are
efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the
construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above
description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
[0057] Thus, while the invention has been described as including
both rotating and non-rotating vertical display panels 12a and 12b,
respectively, it is to be understood that only one panel need be
rotatable; alternatively, all of the display panels may be
rotatable. Similarly, while display board 42 has been described as
including advertising or promotional material, such as graphics or
artwork, it will be appreciated that the board may carry other
products or items, such as a pocket for brochures, which may be
mounted on board 42. Board 42 may also carry, alone or in
combination with the graphics, one or more hooks for holding
non-eyewear merchandise. This is particularly useful when the
display unit is used in times when purchase of sunglasses is at a
lower demand than peak seasons, since rotating display panels 12a
may be kept in their second non-eyewear display positions so as to
display other merchandise, and keep the overall quantity of
sunglasses on display unit 10 at a smaller number than when demand
for sunglasses is higher. This allows display unit 10 to have a
sunglass display capacity which is seasonably adjusted.
[0058] Still further, while flexible tabs 56 which cooperate with
detents 52 have been described as releasably locking rotatable
vertical display panel 12a in the first eyewear display position
and the second non-eyewear display position, it should be
recognized that other releasable locking mechanisms may be provided
for releasably locking vertical display panel 12a in either of its
two display positions.
[0059] Finally, although the invention has been described as having
particular usefulness in the display of sunglasses, eyeglasses, or
other like products, it will be appreciated that the display unit
may be usable for displaying non-eyeglass or eyewear merchandise,
if so desired.
[0060] It is also to be understood that the following claims are
intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the
invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the
invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall
therebetween.
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