U.S. patent application number 11/161336 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-01 for bracket and point of sale display for jewelry.
Invention is credited to Bruce Davison, Joel Shaprio.
Application Number | 20070023372 11/161336 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37693142 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070023372 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davison; Bruce ; et
al. |
February 1, 2007 |
BRACKET AND POINT OF SALE DISPLAY FOR JEWELRY
Abstract
The present invention provides a bracket for displaying jewelry
having a plurality of links, comprising an elongated base member
extending along a first longitudinal axis in a first plane and
having first and second elongated edges, and a link retention
member connected to the base member extending along a second
longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis and in a
second plane that is non-parallel to the first plane, wherein the
link retention member includes a plurality of spaced apart openings
formed therethrough, each of the openings being adapted to securely
receive a link.
Inventors: |
Davison; Bruce; (Syracuse,
NY) ; Shaprio; Joel; (Syracuse, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BOND, SCHOENECK & KING, PLLC
ONE LINCOLN CENTER
SYRACUSE
NY
13202-1355
US
|
Family ID: |
37693142 |
Appl. No.: |
11/161336 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/85.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 7/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/085.2 |
International
Class: |
A47F 7/02 20060101
A47F007/02 |
Claims
1. A bracket for displaying jewelry having a plurality of links,
comprising: a. an elongated base member extending along a first
longitudinal axis in a first plane and having first and second
elongated edges; and b. a link retention member connected to said
base member extending along a second longitudinal axis parallel to
said first longitudinal axis and in a second plane that is
non-parallel to said first plane, said link retention member
including a plurality of spaced apart openings formed therethrough,
each of said openings being adapted to securely receive a link.
2. The bracket according to claim 1, wherein said link retention
member extends upwardly from said first longitudinal edge of said
base member.
3. The bracket according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality
of openings are oval in shape.
4. A point of sale display for jewelry formed of interconnected
links, comprising: a. a display plate having a planar upwardly
facing surface; and b. a bracket adapted for attachment to said
display plate, comprising: i. an elongated base member extending
along a first longitudinal axis in a first plane and having first
and second elongated edges; and ii. a link retention member
connected to said base member extending along a second longitudinal
axis parallel to said first longitudinal axis and in a second plane
that is non-parallel to said first plane, said link retention
member including a plurality of spaced apart openings formed
therethrough, each of said openings being adapted to securely
receive a link.
5. The point of sale display according to claim 4, wherein said
link retention member extends upwardly from said first longitudinal
edge of said base member.
6. The point of sale display according to claim 4, wherein each of
said plurality of openings are oval in shape.
7. A point of sale display for jewelry formed of interconnected
links, comprising: a. first and second plates positioned in spaced
parallel relation to one another; and b. a plurality of elongated
brackets interconnected to said first and second plates and
extending therebetween, each of said brackets including an outer
edge and a plurality of linearly spaced openings formed
therethrough and positioned adjacent to and extending along said
outer edge.
8. The point of sale display of claim 7, wherein said first and
second plates are round.
9. The point of sale display of claim 7, further comprising a
plurality of fins securely interconnected to said first and second
plates and extending perpendicularly therebetween.
10. The point of sale display of claim 9, wherein each of said
plurality of brackets is connected to a respective one of said
plurality of fins.
11. The point of sale display of claim 7, wherein first and second
plates are rotatable about a common axis.
12. The point of sale display of claim 11, wherein said first plate
includes a roller mounted to the bottom surface thereof to effect
the rotation.
13. The point of sale display of claim 11, wherein an electric
motor is operably interconnected to said first late to effect
rotation thereof.
14. The point of sale display of clam 7, wherein each one of said
plurality of openings formed through each one of said plurality of
brackets is laterally aligned with a respective one of said
plurality of openings formed through another of said plurality of
brackets.
15. The point of sale display of clam 14, wherein the jewelry is
adapted to be securely connected to said plurality of brackets and
extend in a plane that is essentially parallel to said first and
second plates.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to jewelry display
apparatus, and more particularly to brackets and displays for
strand jewelry composed of multiple links.
[0002] Bracelets and necklaces may be composed of a plurality of
links that are interconnected in a strand by elastic media, such as
springs or elastic. One popular form of such jewelry is sold under
the trademark NOMINATION, and includes a plurality of links that
may include ornamental design attributes (commonly referred to as
"charms" or "Italian charms"). Each link in a NOMINATION
bracelet/necklace comprises two members elastically connected to
one another and biased to a closed position: a clasp portion and a
hook portion. The clasp portion includes a clasp member defined by
a sidewall and open on its top and bottom ends, and integral with
what forms the bottom surface of the link. The hook member includes
a slit formed between the two opposing edges on the bottom surface
of a C-shaped blank, the top surface of which forms the upper
surface of the link. A spring that interconnects the two members
together biases the two members into overlapping relation to one
another with the top of the hook member forming the top of the link
and the bottom of the clasp member forming the bottom of the link.
To interconnect two links, the open sidewall of the clasp member to
one link is passed through the slit formed in the hook member of
the adjacent link.
[0003] Strand jewelry is often displayed in the retail environment
in display cases and on display boards on which several strands of
jewelry can lie so that a potential purchaser can observe several
strands at once and in side by side relation for comparison
purposes. For security reasons, the jewelry is sometimes fastened
to the display board. For aesthetic reasons, it is desirable for
the board to retain the strands of jewelry in parallel relation to
one another to prohibit them from interfering with one another and
from slipping off of the display board.
[0004] It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the
present invention to provide a bracket for securely retaining link
jewelry for display purposes.
[0005] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
display system with a board and a plurality of brackets for
displaying multiple lengths and style of link jewelry.
[0006] It is an additional object and advantage of the present
invention to provide a carousel ort tower style point of sale
display for displaying multiple lengths and styles of link
jewelry.
[0007] It is a further object and advantage of the present
invention to provide a point of sale display for link jewelry that
securely retains the jewelry, but permits easy removal and
replacement of the jewelry on the display.
[0008] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
in part be obvious and in part appear hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, one
aspect of the present invention provides a bracket for displaying
jewelry having a plurality of links, comprising an elongated base
member extending along a first longitudinal axis in a first plane
and having first and second elongated edges, and a link retention
member connected to the base member extending along a second
longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis and in a
second plane that is non-parallel to the first plane, wherein the
link retention member includes a plurality of spaced apart,
linearly aligned openings formed therethrough, each of the openings
being adapted to securely receive a link.
[0010] Another aspect of the invention provides a system for
displaying jewelry formed of interconnected links, comprising a
base plate having a planar upwardly facing surface, and a bracket
for displaying jewelry having a plurality of links, comprising an
elongated base member extending along a first longitudinal axis in
a first plane and having first and second elongated edges, and a
link retention member connected to the base member extending along
a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis
and in a second plane that is non-parallel to the first plane,
wherein the link retention member includes a plurality of spaced
apart, linearly aligned openings formed therethrough, each of the
openings being adapted to securely receive a link.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the openings
formed through the bracket are oval in shape to conform with the
shape of the links that are being connected thereto. In addition,
it is preferred that the link retention member be integral with and
stand upwardly from one longitudinal edge of the base member. In a
preferred embodiment, the link retention member extends in a plane
that is perpendicular to the plane in which the base member
extends.
[0012] In another aspect of the invention, a carousel style point
of sale display for jewelry formed of interconnected links,
comprising first and second plates positioned in spaced parallel
relation to one another, and a plurality of elongated brackets
interconnected to and extending between the first and second
plates, wherein each of the brackets includes an outer edge and a
plurality of linearly spaced openings formed therethrough and
positioned adjacent to and extending along the outer edge.
Preferably the first and second plates are round and aligned in
concentric relation to one another, thereby sharing a common
longitudinal axis about which the display may rotate either
manually or automatically via an electric motor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The present invention will be more fully understood and
appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in
accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0014] FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective and side elevation views,
respectively, of a bracket according to the present invention;
[0015] FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are a top plan view of a point of sale
display plate, a perspective view of a point of sale display with
brackets mounted thereto and jewelry displayed thereon, and a
bottom plan view of a point of sale display, respectively,
according to the present invention;
[0016] FIGS. 3A and 3B are a perspective view and bottom plan view
of a second embodiment of a point of display;
[0017] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are top plan view, a partial,
expanded top plan view, a bottom plan view, and a side elevation
view, respectively, of a linked piece of jewelry adapted for
display with the bracket and point of display plate of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a third embodiment of a
point of sale display in accordance with the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view thereof; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line
7-7 of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is seen in FIGS. 1A
and 1B a jewelry display bracket, designated generally by reference
numeral 10, comprising a base member 12 and a link retention member
14 integral with and extending from a longitudinal edge of and in a
perpendicular plane relative to base member 12.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment of another aspect of the
invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, a point of sale
display 100 is created with two brackets 10 mounted in spaced,
parallel relation to one another on a plate 102, with several
pieces of strand jewelry 200 securely attached to and extending
between the two brackets 10 in spaced, parallel relation to one
another. Plate 102 is provided with at least two parallel, spaced
slots 104, 106 formed therethrough. Brackets 10 are connected to
plate 102 by first passing link retention member 14 through a
respective slot 104, 106, such that link retention member 14
extends upwardly from the upper surface of plate 102. To complete
the fastening, fasteners 108 are then passed through openings 18
formed through base member 14 and slots 104, 106 and secured with
base member 12 overlying the bottom surface of plate 102.
Preferably fasteners 108 do not extend entirely through plate 102,
but rather remain recessed therein to avoid being seen or
interfering with jewelry 200. Such a display 100 provides a secure,
aesthetically pleasing presentation to consumers.
[0023] In a slightly altered embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B,
each slot 104, 106 is spilt into two slots 104 A and B, 106 A and
B, and base member 14 comprises two sections 14 A and B, from
attach link retaining member 14 and permit two section thereof to
extend through slots 104 A and B, 106 A and B. Link retaining
member 14 also includes a central section 14A that spans between
openings 14A and B, and 106 A and B, thereby permitting link
retaining member 14 to be continuous despite the splitting of the
slots. This splitting provides structural rigidity to the display
100.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 4A-4D, jewelry 200 comprises strands of
individual links 202, and may form a bracelet, a necklace, or any
other type of stranded jewelry. Each individual link 202 comprises
two members: a clasp member 204 and a hook member 206. The clasp
member 204 includes a sidewall 208 that is open on its top and
bottom ends and integral with what forms the bottom surface 210 of
the link 202. The hook member 206 includes a slit 212 formed
between the two opposing edges of a C-shaped blank 214 that forms
the upper surface of the link. To interconnect the two members 204,
206 of a link 202, and then connect subsequent links 202 to the
strand, the open sidewall 208 of clasp member 204 is passed through
slit 212 formed in hook member 206, and the spring that
interconnects the two members 204, 206 together and biases them
into overlapping relation to one another with the top of hook
member 204 forming the top of link 202 and the bottom of clasp 206
member forming the bottom of link 202. To interconnect additional
links, the outer open sidewall 208 clasp member 204 is passed
through slit 212 of hook member 206 of an adjacent link 202.
[0025] In its preferred form, link retention member 12 extends
along a longitudinal axis A-A that is parallel to the longitudinal
axis B-B along which base member 14 extends, and includes a
plurality of openings 24 formed therethrough. Openings 24 are
shaped to securely receive with minimal play hook member 204. In
the preferred embodiment, openings 24 are elongated and of a length
L1 that is slightly larger than the length L2 of the edges of hook
member 204 that define slit 212, such that the upper edge of link
retention member 12 may pass through slit 212 and hook member 204
may securely engage opening 24. When interconnected in this manner,
jewelry 200 extends along a longitudinal axis C-C that is
perpendicular to axis A-A.
[0026] In order to permit jewelry 200 to lie essentially flat when
displayed on a table top or on plate 102, openings 24 are formed
at, or close to the intersection of link retention member 12 and
the upwardly facing surface of plate 16.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 5-7, an alternate embodiment of a point
of sale display 300 is illustrated. Point of sale display 300
comprises upper and lower plates 302, 304, that each extend in
spaced, horizontal planes, with several (four in the preferred
embodiment) fins 306 securely mounted to and extending fully
between plates 302, 304, in respective vertical planes. A planar
bracket 308 is mounted in overlying relation to each fin 306 via a
conventional fastener, such as bolt 310. Brackets 308 each include
a plurality of openings 312 formed therethrough and linearly
extending in spaced relation to one another adjacent the outer edge
of bracket 308 and beyond the outer edge of fins 306. In essence,
bracket 308 is identical to link retention member 12 except with
the inclusion of mounting holes formed therethrough to permit
passage of bolt 310 for purposes of fastening to fins 306. Plates
302 and 304 are preferably though not necessarily round and
positioned in concentric relation to one another, sharing a common
longitudinal axis X-X.
[0028] In use, hook members 206 engage and fasten to brackets 308
by passing through openings 312 formed therethrough. Preferably,
although not necessarily, each strand of jewelry 200 would be
securely fastened to laterally aligned openings 312 formed through
brackets 308 such that they lie in a horizontal plane that is
essentially parallel to plates 302, 304, with display 300 being
adapted to hold a plurality of strands of jewelry 200 in
respective, spaced, parallel, horizontal planes.
[0029] Display 300 may be provided with rollers 316 operably
mounted to the underside of bottom plate 302 to permit selective,
manual rotation thereof about its longitudinal axis. Alternatively,
an electric motor 318 may be operably connected to display 300 to
effect automatic rotation thereof about its longitudinal axis.
* * * * *