U.S. patent application number 11/000617 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-13 for modular display rack.
This patent application is currently assigned to Luemme, Inc.. Invention is credited to Campello, Guido, Campello, Ugo.
Application Number | 20050224431 11/000617 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35056642 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050224431 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Campello, Guido ; et
al. |
October 13, 2005 |
Modular display rack
Abstract
A modular display system has a support base and a vertical post
mounted on the support base. The post is formed with threaded
bores. A plurality of bars, including short spacer bars for hanging
display bins and hang bars for hanging clothes hangers, for
example, are screwed into the post and they project radially from
the post. Each of the bars has two threaded stems, one to screwed
into the post, and the other one to be covered by a threaded puck.
The display bins have corresponding bores aligned with the bores in
the post and adapted to receive the threaded stems of the short
spacer bars to reach through and for the puck to bolt the display
bins to the spacer bars.
Inventors: |
Campello, Guido; (Miami,
FL) ; Campello, Ugo; (Miami, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER AND GREENBERG, PA
P O BOX 2480
HOLLYWOOD
FL
33022-2480
US
|
Assignee: |
Luemme, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
35056642 |
Appl. No.: |
11/000617 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60551686 |
Mar 9, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/025 20130101;
A47F 5/02 20130101; A47F 7/24 20130101; A47F 5/04 20130101; A47F
5/05 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/052 |
International
Class: |
A47F 005/08 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A modular display system, comprising: a support base; a post
mounted on and extending substantially vertically from said support
base; said post having a plurality of attachment locations defined
thereon; a plurality of bars including a relatively long hang bar
and a relatively short spacer bar each formed for attachment at a
respective one of said attachment locations and radially projecting
therefrom; and at least one bin to be mounted to said post via one
of said bars.
2. The modular display system according to claim 1, wherein said
post is formed with a threaded bore at each of said attachment
location and each of said bars having a threaded stem formed
thereon for screwing into a respective said threaded bore of said
post.
3. The modular display system according to claim 1, wherein said
post is rotatably and substantially centrally mounted on said
support base.
4. The modular display system according to claim 1, wherein said
attachment locations are defined vertically below one another along
a plurality of lines substantially parallel to an axis of said
post.
5. The modular display system according to claim 1, which further
comprises a plurality of roller supports on a bottom of said
support base.
6. The modular display system according to claim 2, wherein said
spacer bars include a relatively longer, first spacer bar and a
relatively shorter, second spacer bar, and said bin is mounted to
said post via a plurality of vertically aligned said first or
second spacer bars, and said threaded bores are formed in said post
at a spacing corresponding to a spacing between bores formed in
said at least one bin.
7. The modular display system according to claim 6, wherein said
bin has a given width with a value substantially equal to a sum of
a diameter of said post plus two times a length of said first
spacer bar.
8. The modular display system according to claim 1, wherein said
bin is a multilevel bin formed with at least two floors for
supporting merchandise or advertising material thereon.
9. The modular display system according to claim 1, wherein said
bin is formed with an inclined backwall and an inclined floor, for
enabling printed matter and packaged product to be stacked in a
nearly vertical, slightly inclined position.
10. The modular display system according to claim 1, wherein each
of said bars has a first threaded stem formed on a first
longitudinal end thereof configured for screwing into a respective
threaded bore formed in said post, and a second threaded stem
formed on a second longitudinal end thereof configured for
receiving thereon a threaded nut.
11. The modular display system according to claim 10, wherein said
threaded nut is a threaded puck, defined with a disk body having a
threaded blind bore formed therein.
12. A modular display system, comprising: a support base; a
vertical post mounted on said support base and having a plurality
of threaded bores formed therein; a plurality of threaded bars
selected from the group consisting of a relatively long hang bar, a
relatively shorter, first spacer bar, and a relatively shortest,
second spacer bar, each of said threaded bars having a first
threaded portion configured for selectively screwing into said
threaded bores of said post, and a second threaded portion; at
least one bin to be mounted to said post via one of said threaded
bars; and a plurality of threaded pucks configured to be screwed
onto said second threaded portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e), of U.S. provisional application No. 60/551,686, filed Mar.
9, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention lies in the field of display systems. More
specifically, the invention pertains to a merchandise display
device, especially a modular display rack for displaying items of
various kinds and sizes.
[0004] Instore merchandise displays as well as exhibition display
systems are generally geared to a singular functionality. Wall
racks and freestanding racks for printed materials come in a
variety of layouts, with single shelf displays, multiple shelf
displays, multiple bins, and the like. Similarly, fabric displays
and clothing displays are also available in a variety of systems.
The latter typically include hanger displays, such as hooks and
hang bars with associated clothes hangers or display spreaders.
[0005] The prior art is void of mixed display systems and, in
particular, of easily configurable modular systems that allow quick
and easy adaptation to a variety of display requirements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a
modular display rack, which overcomes the above-mentioned
disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this
general type and which provides for a mixed display system formed
for easy user configurability. It is a specific object to provide a
modular system that allows quick and easy user adaptation to any of
a variety of display requirements and that allows easy adaptability
to display print material and fabric clothing material.
[0007] With the foregoing and other objects in view there is
provided, in accordance with the invention, a modular display
system, comprising:
[0008] a support base;
[0009] a post mounted on and extending substantially vertically
from the support base;
[0010] the post having a plurality of attachment locations (e.g.,
with threaded bores) defined thereon;
[0011] a plurality of bars (e.g., with threaded stems) including a
relatively long hang bar and a relatively short spacer bar each
formed for attachment at the respective attachment locations of the
post and radially projecting therefrom; and
[0012] at least one bin to be mounted to the post via one of the
bars.
[0013] In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the
post is rotatably and substantially centrally mounted on the
support base. In a preferred embodiment, furthermore, the support
base is supported on a plurality of rollers. This allows the
display to be easily moved between locations at the point of sale
location.
[0014] In accordance with an additional feature of the invention,
the threaded bores are formed vertically below one another along a
plurality of lines substantially parallel to an axis of the
post.
[0015] In accordance with another feature of the invention, the
spacer bars include a relatively longer, first spacer bar and a
relatively shorter, second spacer bar, and the bin is mounted to
the post via a plurality of vertically aligned the first or second
spacer bars. The threaded bores are formed in the post at a spacing
distance corresponding to a spacing distance between bores formed
in the at least one bin.
[0016] In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment, the
bin has a given width with a value substantially equal to a sum of
a diameter of said post plus two times a length of the first spacer
bar.
[0017] In accordance with again an added feature of the invention,
the bin is a multilevel bin formed with at least two floors for
supporting merchandise or advertising material thereon. Preferably,
the bin is formed with an inclined backwall and an inclined floor,
for enabling printed matter and packaged product to be stacked in a
nearly vertical, slightly inclined position.
[0018] In accordance with a further feature of the invention, each
of the bars (the hang bars and the spacer bars) has a first
threaded stem formed on a first longitudinal end thereof configured
for screwing into the threaded bore in the post, and a second
threaded stem formed on a second longitudinal end thereof
configured for receiving thereon a threaded nut.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the threaded nut
is a threaded puck. The puck has a disk body with a threaded blind
bore formed therein.
[0020] With the above and other objects in view there is also
provided, in accordance with the invention, a modular display
system, comprising:
[0021] a support base and a vertical post mounted on the support
base, the post having a plurality of threaded bores formed
therein;
[0022] a plurality of threaded bars selected from the group
consisting of a relatively long hang bar, a relatively shorter,
first spacer bar, and a relatively shortest, second spacer bar,
each of the threaded bars having a first threaded portion
configured for selectively screwing into the threaded bores of the
post, and a second threaded portion;
[0023] at least one bin to be mounted to the post via one of the
threaded bars; and
[0024] a plurality of threaded pucks configured to be screwed onto
the second threaded portion.
[0025] The modular display rack may have multi-level bins or trays
or hanging bars in order to provide the potential for holding large
amount of products. The modular display rack can be mounted to a
spinning central post supported by a rollable base. Two display
racks may be connected together to create a long display rack,
which could include shelves as an accessory
[0026] The novel system combines the functionality and the
aesthetics to provide an eye-catching display and selling station
for the products. The prior art void concerning mixed display
systems has thus been filled, by providing the easily configurable
modular system that allows quick and easy adaptation to a variety
of display requirements. Furthermore, and quite importantly, the
system can be very easily set up and converted in a vast variety of
configurations without any tools. Quick conversion is possible by
sales staff directly at the point of sale without a substantial
amount of training.
[0027] Other features that are considered as characteristic for the
invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0028] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in a modular display rack, it is, nevertheless, not
intended to be limited to the details shown because various
modifications and structural changes may be made therein without
departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and
range of equivalents of the claims.
[0029] The construction and method of operation of the invention,
however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof,
will be best understood from the following description of specific
embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a front, top perspective view of the modular
display rack according to the invention, in a first exemplary
configuration with two sets of bins or trays and two sets of hang
bars;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the first
configuration of the modular display rack, which is identical to
the rear side view thereof;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a side view of the first configuration of the
modular display rack;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a top view of the first configuration of the
modular display rack;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the base of the modular display
rack with the vertical post;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic exploded view of a second exemplary
configuration of the modular display rack according to the
invention having three bin sets and one hang bar set;
[0036] FIG. 7 is a front, top perspective view of the second
exemplary configuration of the modular display rack according to
the invention;
[0037] FIG. 8 is a front, top perspective view of a third exemplary
configuration of the modular display rack with four sets of bins or
trays;
[0038] FIG. 9 is a front, top perspective view of a fourth
exemplary configuration of the modular display rack having three
bin sets and one mixed bin and hang bar set;
[0039] FIG. 10 is a top view of the modular display rack in the
third exemplary configuration;
[0040] FIG. 11 is a side view of the first (relatively longer)
spacer bar, of the second (relatively shorter) spacer bar, and of a
puck;
[0041] FIG. 12 is a partial exploded view of the third
configuration of the modular display rack, illustrating an
exemplary assembly process;
[0042] FIGS. 13A and 13B are top perspective views of a two-level
bin or tray; and
[0043] FIGS. 14A and 14B are top perspective views of a three-level
bin or tray.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and
first, particularly, to FIG. 6 thereof, there is seen an exploded
perspective view of a modular display rack 100. The novel system,
in summary, includes the following elements: a base 10 supported on
several ball rollers, casters, or on stationary support feet. A
column 20 or post 20 vertically supported on the base 10. The post
20 is formed with a plurality of strategically distributed threaded
bores 22, 24 for receiving and mounting hang bars 30 or spacer bars
40. Bins 50 may be attached to the post 20 via the spacer bars 40
and attached with pucks 46. The latter will be described in detail
in the following.
[0045] In a first configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, the modular
display rack 100 includes the base 10, the central spinning post
20, two sets of hang bars 30, several sets of spacer bars 40
disposed on the central spinning post 20, and several sets of
display bins or trays 50 connected to the central spinning post 20
through the spacer bars 40. The top of the post 20 is illustrated
with an additional attachment device 23. In the illustration, it is
simply a bore or recess 23 that allows the insertion of a display
element 23a. One example of the element 23a illustrated in FIGS. 2
and 3 is a registered trademark of Luemme, Inc. (d.b.a. Cosabella),
of Miami, Fla.
[0046] With reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the base 10 has four
rollers 12 attached at the bottom thereof. This allows the modular
display rack to be easily moved to any desired place. The rollers
12 are, for example, ball-bearing system rollers 12 or casters. If
movability is not desired, the rollers or casters 12 may be
replaced by rubber ball supports or rubber boots to be placed over
the otherwise available rollers 12. In this way, the base 10, and
with it the entire modular display 100, may be rendered stationary.
It will also be understood that any number of supports may be
provided, i.e., three or five, or more, depending on the desired
support strength and balance safety.
[0047] The base 10 can have a rectangular (e.g., square) shape or a
round shape. The central post 20 is connected to the center of the
base 10 in such a manner that the post 20 can spin freely, for
example, on a ball-bearing system. This allows the customers to
spin the modular display rack 360 degrees, accessing all
merchandise from one standing position. It will be understood to
those of skill in the pertinent art that the spinning of the system
may also be motorized, for example if the display rack 100 is
placed within a viewing enclosure or behind a viewing window.
[0048] Once more with reference to FIG. 6, each of the hang bars 30
has a threaded portion 32, 34 at each end thereof. Each of the
spacer bars 40 has a threaded portion 42, 44 at each end thereof.
The central post or column 20 has a plurality of threaded bores 22
formed therein for receiving the spacer bars 40 and a plurality of
threaded bores 24 formed therein for receiving the hang bars 30.
The threaded bores, besides being bored directly in the constituent
post material of the post 20, may also be formed by welded-on nuts
that have the threaded bore. One threaded portion 42 of each spacer
bar 40 is screwed into one of the threaded bores 22 of the central
post or column 20, allowing the spacer bar 40 to extend
horizontally from the central post or column 20. The other threaded
portion 44 of each spacer bar 40, which is not used to screw into
the post 20, is used to keep the bins or trays 50 in place by
locking the bin 50 between the spacer bar 40 and a puck 46 screwed
onto the part of the threaded portion 44 that extends beyond the
bin 50. Pucks 46 are commercially available, for instance, from
B&N Industries, California. One threaded portion 32 of each
hang bar 30 is screwed into one of the threaded bores 24 of the
central post 20, allowing the hang bar 30 to extend horizontally
from the central post or column 20. The other threaded portion 34
of each hang bar 30 is capped by a puck 36 screwed onto the
threaded portion 34 of the hang bar 30. The puck 36 that screws
onto the end of each hang bar 30 has a slightly larger diameter
than the hang bar 30. In this case, hangers that are hung on the
hang bar 30 are prevented from sliding off the hang bar 30.
[0049] The bins 50 illustrated herein are substantially rectangular
boxes with a flat backwall, and two flat sidewalls. Three
compartments are provided, each with slightly inclined floors. The
inclination is provided for the purpose of displaying printed
matter and packaged product. Some of the printed matter and
packaged product items 51 are illustrated in FIG. 3 and they are,
by way of example, window packages for undergarments as described
in our commonly assigned U.S. Design Pat. U.S. D450,578 S. In this
vein it should be noted that the display bins are primarily suited
for displaying the window packages, while the hang bars are
primarily suited for hanging the actual merchandise, i.e., floor
samples, larger displays, posters, hang magazines, product lists,
and the like.
[0050] FIGS. 7-9 illustrate modified configurations of the modular
display rack according to the invention. The corresponding elements
in these illustrations are designated with the same reference
numerals as above.
[0051] FIG. 7 illustrates a second exemplary configuration with
three sets of bins 50 and one vertical line of hang bars 30.
[0052] FIG. 8 illustrates a third exemplary configuration of the
modular display rack, which has four sets of bins or trays 50 and
no hang bars. Two sets of the bins or trays 50 are connected to the
central post 20 by two sets of short spacer bars 40. The other two
sets of the bins or trays 50 are connected to the central post 20
by two sets of long spacer bars 40'. In this way, the space can be
more efficiently utilized. As the threads on the hang bars 30, the
short spacers 40 and the long spacers 40' are identical, they can
be freely exchanged. It goes without saying that the threaded bores
on the post 20 also have equal threads.
[0053] A fourth exemplary configuration--a configuration in which
most of the available display space is required for stand-up
merchandise or print material--is illustrated in FIG. 9. This
configuration has three bin sets and a mixed bin and hang bar set.
Here, there are provided only one hang bar 30 and a multitude of
bins 50. It will be understood that the bins 50 may be varied
widely as well. That is, some may be three-level bins, some may be
two-level bins, and some may provide for open space that allows
"tall" literature or merchandise to be placed.
[0054] With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the post 20 has a given
diameter D. A width W of the bins 50 exceeds the diameter D by two
times a length L.sub.1 of the first spacer bar 40'. That is,
W=D+2L.sub.1. A considerable amount of space savings, and at the
same time of compactness, is achieved with the difference in the
lengths L.sub.1 and L.sub.2. Here, W>D+2L.sub.2 and, as a
result, the bins that are mounted with the second spacer bars 40
are clamped by the bins that are mounted on the post with the first
spacer bars 40'. Further rigidity is thus provided to the modular
display. It is clear that this situation also applies if--as is the
case in a preferred configuration--the bins surround the post only
three-ways and one side is provided with one or more hang bars
30.
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the threaded stems of the spacer
bars 40 and 40' are no longer than a depth of the threaded bore in
the pucks 46. A diameter of the puck 46 is the same as the diameter
of the spacer bars 40 and 40'. However, a diameter of the puck 36
for the hang bar 30 is slightly greater than a diameter of the hang
bar 30 to prevent items hung on the hang bar 30 from falling off
(see e.g., FIG. 2).
[0056] The display bins or trays 50 are made of plastic, such as
Lucite or polycarbonate, or the like. The display bins or trays 50
can be of two-level (FIG. 13) or three-level (FIG. 14) for
displaying items of different sizes in the same outlined space in
regards to height, width, and length. This allows for equal mixing
and matching of bins or trays that hold differently sized display
products. The two-level bin is configured to display taller
merchandise, while the three-level bin is configured to display
smaller merchandise. The rear face 52 of the bin 50 has two
circular holes 54 cut through it at a distance aligned with the
vertical distance between the spacer bars 40, 40' screwed onto the
post 20. When the bin 50 is placed correctly, the threads of the
spacer bars 40, 40' will reach through these pre-cut holes 54 and
allow for enough thread to screw on the puck 46, locking the bin 50
in place.
[0057] Each level of the bins or trays 50 may have an inclined back
piece 56 for providing support to the items placed in the level and
a bottom piece 58. The inclined back piece 56 extends from the rear
face 52 of the bin 50 at the top of the level to the bottom piece
58 of the level (see FIG. 14) or extends from the rear face 52 at a
location between the top of the level and the bottom piece 58 of
the level to the bottom piece 58 of the level (see FIG. 13). The
bottom piece 58 of the level is formed with a cutout 59 to allow
the seller to fix the packaged products by pulling at the bottom of
the packaging from the back, thus the tops of all the packaging
fall backward and rest in the ideal display position. The cutout 59
may be formed only in the bottom piece 58 of the level (not shown)
or may extend into the back piece 56 (see FIGS. 13-14).
[0058] The hang bars 30 and the spacer bars 40 typically have
different diameters. However, the threaded portions 32, 34, 42, 44
of the hang bars 30 and the spacer bars 40, 40' have an equal
diameter. Thus, a set of hang bars 30 can be replaced by a set of
spacer bars 40, 40' or vice versa. In this way, the modular display
rack can be provided with one to four sets of bins or trays 50 or
one to four sets of hang bars or any combination thereof.
[0059] The central post or column 20, the hang bars 30, and the
spacer bars 40, 40' can be made of any solid material, but
preferably aluminum. The base 10 may also be made of any solid
material, but preferably aluminum or hard, heavy plastic.
[0060] The modular display rack as shown in the figures is a
stand-alone display. It measures approximately 57" in height, by
19" in width, by 19" in length when fully assembled in set-up
position.
[0061] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and
practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the
specification and examples be considered as exemplary only.
* * * * *