U.S. patent application number 11/717464 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for display for selling window coverings.
Invention is credited to Michael Kollman, James Singer.
Application Number | 20070170126 11/717464 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37991334 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070170126 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Singer; James ; et
al. |
July 26, 2007 |
Display for selling window coverings
Abstract
In a method for selling window coverings a set of swatch cards
and sample blinds are provided in a display unit. The swatch cards
contain a piece of window covering material and a pricing table for
a product being offered for sale. The card may contain other
information about the product such as options and options. Each set
of swatch cards will contain samples of all window covering
materials available for the type of product with which the cards
are associated. A photograph or other reproduction of each window
covering material and a photograph of a window covering product
could be used in place of actual samples.
Inventors: |
Singer; James; (Sarasota,
FL) ; Kollman; Michael; (Madison, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC
P.O. BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Family ID: |
37991334 |
Appl. No.: |
11/717464 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10849968 |
May 20, 2004 |
7210587 |
|
|
11717464 |
Mar 13, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/55 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 7/145 20130101;
A47F 7/146 20130101; G09F 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/055 |
International
Class: |
A47F 7/14 20060101
A47F007/14 |
Claims
1-24. (canceled)
25. A display for selling window coverings of the type in which a
window covering material is hung from a headrail and can be moved
between an open position and a closed position, the window
coverings each having a size determined by a length and a width of
the window covering when in the closed position, the window
coverings being available in a plurality of styles, each style
based upon at least one of type and color of window covering
material, manner in which the window covering material is opened
and closed, location of any tilt control, location of any lift
control, available options, and whether the shape of the window
covering in the closed position is rectangular, arch, circular or
angled, wherein the display comprises: a rack containing a
plurality of swatch cards, each swatch card corresponding to one of
the styles of windows coverings being offered for sale, each swatch
card containing a sample of window covering material, a pricing
table for the style of window covering to which the sample of
window covering material applies and further applicable information
selected from the group consisting of product name, product
identification number, vendor name, vendor address, vendor
telephone number, manufacturer information, window covering
material name, window covering material color, window covering
material identification number, text indicating any available
choices of manner in which the window covering material is raised
and lowered, location of tilt control, location of lift control,
shipping options, available discounts, available accessories, and
whether the shape of the window covering in the closed position is
rectangular, arch, circular or angled, and illustrations indicating
any available choices of manner in which the window covering
material is raised and lowered, location of any tilt control,
location of any lift control, shipping options, available
discounts, available options, and whether the shape of the window
covering in the closed position is rectangular, arch, circular or
angled ; and establishing for each style of window covering a
pricing table in which prices are assigned according to the width
and length of the window covering when in the closed position plus
any selected options; and at least one sample or photograph of a
window covering representative of a style of window covering being
offered for sale, and positioned adjacent the rack.
26. The display of claim 25 wherein the rack and the at least one
sample or photograph of a window covering are in a single
cabinet.
27. The display of claim 26 wherein the cabinet comprises at least
one storage bin.
28. The display of claim 27 wherein the at least one sample window
covering is placed over the at least one storage bin.
29. The display of claim 26 wherein the cabinet contains at least
one drawer.
30. The display of claim 25 wherein the window covering material is
attached to the swatch card so that the at least a portion of the
window covering material can be expanded to extend from the swatch
card.
31. The display of claim 25 wherein each swatch card contains
indicia identifying the swatch card as corresponding to one of a
plurality of product families and the swatch cards are grouped in
the rack by product family.
32. A display for selling window coverings of the type in which a
window covering material is hung from a headrail and can be moved
between an open position and a closed position, the window
coverings each having a size determined by a length and a width of
the window covering when in the closed position, the window
coverings being available in a plurality of styles, each style
based upon at least one of type and color of window covering
material, manner in which the window covering material is opened
and closed, location of any tilt control, location of any lift
control, available options, and whether the shape of the window
covering in the closed position is rectangular, arch, circular or
angled, wherein the display comprises: a rack containing a
plurality of swatch cards, each swatch card corresponding to one of
the styles of windows coverings being offered for sale, each swatch
card containing a sample of window covering material, a pricing
reference and further applicable information selected from the
group consisting of product name, product identification number,
vendor name, vendor address, vendor telephone number, manufacturer
information, window covering material name, window covering
material color, window covering material identification number,
text indicating any available choices of manner in which the window
covering material is raised and lowered, location of tilt control,
location of lift control, shipping options, available discounts,
available accessories, and whether the shape of the window covering
in the closed position is rectangular, arch, circular or angled,
and illustrations indicating any available choices of manner in
which the window covering material is raised and lowered, location
of any tilt control, location of any lift control, shipping
options, available discounts, available options, and whether the
shape of the window covering in the closed position is rectangular,
arch, circular or angled ; and establishing for each style of
window covering a pricing table in which prices are assigned
according to the width and length of the window covering when in
the closed position plus any selected options; at least one pricing
table containing the pricing reference that appears on the swatch
cards and positioned adjacent the rack; and at least one sample or
photograph of a window covering representative of a style of window
covering being offered for sale, and positioned adjacent the
rack.
33. The display of claim 32 wherein the rack, at least one pricing
table and the at least one sample or photograph of a window
covering are in a single cabinet.
34. The display of claim 32 wherein the cabinet comprises at least
one storage bin.
35. The display of claim 34 wherein the at least one sample window
covering is placed over the at least one storage bin.
36. The display of claim 33 wherein the cabinet contains at least
one drawer.
37. The display of claim 32 wherein the window covering material is
attached to the swatch card so that the at least a portion of the
window covering material can be expanded to extend from the swatch
card.
38. The display of claim 32 wherein each swatch card contains
indicia identifying the swatch card as corresponding to one of a
plurality of product families and the swatch cards are grouped in
the rack by product family.
39. A display for selling window coverings of the type in which a
window covering material is hung from a headrail and can be moved
between an open position and a closed position, the window
coverings each having a size determined by a length and a width of
the window covering when in the closed position, the window
coverings being available in a plurality of styles, each style
based upon at least one of type and color of window covering
material, manner in which the window covering material is opened
and closed, location of any tilt control, location of any lift
control, available options, and whether the shape of the window
covering in the closed position is rectangular, arch, circular or
angled, wherein the display comprises: a rack containing a
plurality of swatch cards, each swatch card corresponding to one of
the styles of windows coverings being offered for sale, each swatch
card containing a photograph or reproduction of window covering
material, a pricing table for the style of window covering to which
the photograph or reproduction of window covering material applies,
and further applicable information selected from the group
consisting of product name, product identification number, vendor
name, vendor address, vendor telephone number, manufacturer
information, window covering material name, window covering
material color, window covering material identification number,
text indicating any available choices of manner in which the window
covering material is raised and lowered, location of tilt control,
location of lift control, shipping options, available discounts,
available accessories, and whether the shape of the window covering
in the closed position is rectangular, arch, circular or angled,
and illustrations indicating any available choices of manner in
which the window covering material is raised and lowered, location
of any tilt control, location of any lift control, shipping
options, available discounts, available options, and whether the
shape of the window covering in the closed position is rectangular,
arch, circular or angled ; and at least one sample or photograph of
a window covering representative of a style of window covering
being offered for sale, and positioned adjacent the rack.
40. The display of claim 39 wherein the rack and the at least one
sample or photograph of a window covering are in a single
cabinet.
41. The display of claim 40 wherein the cabinet comprises at least
one storage bin.
42. The display of claim 41 wherein the at least one sample window
covering is placed over the at least one storage bin.
43. The display of claim 40 wherein the cabinet contains at least
one drawer.
44. The display of claim 39 wherein the window covering material is
attached to the swatch card so that the at least a portion of the
window covering material can be expanded to extend from the swatch
card.
45. The display of claim 39 wherein each swatch card contains
indicia identifying the swatch card as corresponding to one of a
plurality of product families and the swatch cards are grouped in
the rack by product family.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to the sale of window coverings of the
type in which a window covering material extends from a
headrail.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are a variety of window coverings in which a window
covering material extends from a headrail and is raised and lowered
by lift cords or drawn along a track by pull cords. One type of
window covering is the venetian blind in which a series of
horizontal slats are hung on two or more ladders that hang from a
headrail. A similar product is the vertical blind in which a set of
vertical slats are suspended from a track in the headrail. Most
manufacturers offer slats for venetian blinds and vertical blinds
in a variety of colors and materials including wood, vinyl,
aluminum and composite materials. Another class of window covering
contains a panel of fabric, woven woods or woven grasses hung on a
headrail. Among these window coverings are pleated shades, cellular
shades, roman shades and roll-up shades. In most of these shades
the fabric panel is available in a number of colors and patterns,
can be woven or non-woven and the weave can vary from sheer to
tightly woven.
[0003] Traditionally, window coverings have been sold in standard
sizes by department stores, discount stores and home centers. They
have also been sold by custom fabricators who come to the home or
office, measure the windows and make blinds to fit. Some retailers
have offered both standard products and custom blinds. In recent
years some retailers have sold blinds based upon measurements
provided by the customer. These retailers keep a limited inventory
of blinds in standard sizes and popular colors. If the customer
does not want a blind from the retailer's current inventory, the
retailer may custom order the blind from the manufacturer using the
customer's measurements. Several retailers now offer blinds through
a cut down program. Under this program the store stocks a set of
blinds in standard sizes and has a machine that will trim the width
of the shade to fit the customer's measurements. The length is
adjusted by cutting excess material from the bottom of the
shade.
[0004] Most retailers have a limited display of sample blinds and
have sample books containing swatches of all the colors and kinds
of window covering material that are available for a particular
family of blinds. Sample books tend to be bulky and are cumbersome
to transport. Nevertheless, many customers want to see the sample
in the room where the window covering product will be installed
before they will make a purchase decision. These customers must
then borrow the sample book from the retailer. If the customer
fails to return the book, the retailer must buy a new sample book.
Many retailers buy several sample books to assure that one is
always available for a customer. Pricing of window coverings is
usually based upon the size of the blind. Size is determined by the
width and length of the blind when the blind is in a closed
position which corresponds to covering the entire window over which
the blind is to be mounted. The retailer has a price book or set of
price sheets for each type of window covering that is being offered
for sale. The price books and price sheets are usually kept
separate from the sample books.
[0005] Those customers who wish to buy window coverings form a home
center, department store or large discount store usually will first
look at the window covering products on display. Upon finding a
product in the display that is of interest, the customer must then
look at a sample book to determine if the product is available in a
color and style that pleases the customer. After selecting one or
more styles, the customer usually will then want to know what the
product costs. To obtain pricing information the customer must find
a sales person who must then retrieve the applicable price sheet
and determine the cost of each item of interest in the size
specified by the customer and with all the options selected by the
customer. Many times the customer will immediately decide that the
price is too high and go elsewhere. The result is that both the
customer and the salesperson have spent much time on a transaction
that has not resulted in a purchase and sale. Consequently, there
is a need for a display of window covering products and method of
selling window coverings in which the customer can, without help
from a sales person, determine the price and available options of a
window covering product which will fit the potential buyer's
window.
[0006] There is also a need for a display of window covering
products and method of selling window coverings in which product
samples are available for the customer to easily select and take
home with him or her. The samples should be easy to carry and
inexpensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] We provide a method and display for selling window coverings
in which we first establish a pricing table for each style of
window covering. Style may be a type of window covering, such as a
pleated shade, or may be a species of a type of product, such as a
pleated shade with white on one side and a selected color on the
other side. The prices are assigned according to the width and
length of the window covering when the window covering is in a
closed position. Then we provide a cabinet or other structure
having two portions. The first portion displays at least one sample
window covering that is representative of a style of window
covering being offered for sale. Alternatively, that portion may
contain color photographs of the products. This portion may be a
window, a mock window or a wall. The second portion contains a
plurality of swatch cards in a rack, drawers or other holder that
is easily accessible to a customer. There is one swatch card
corresponding to each color and style of windows coverings being
offered for sale. Preferably, there are multiple copies of each
swatch card.
[0008] Each swatch card contains a sample of window covering
material and the pricing table for the style of window covering to
which the sample of window covering material applies. The swatch
card will also contain other information applicable to the product.
That information could be product name, product identification
number, vendor name, vendor address, vendor telephone number,
manufacturer information, window covering material name, window
covering material color, window covering material identification
number, any available choices of manner in which the window
covering material is opened and closed, location of tilt control,
location of lift control, shipping options, available discounts,
available options, and whether the shape of the window covering in
the closed position is rectangular, arch, circular or angled. The
information could be presented as text or illustrations or a
combination of text and illustrations.
[0009] The window covering products being offered for sale can
usually be divided into product families. Those product families
could be pleated shades, cellular shades, single cell cellular
shades, double cell cellular shades, roman shades, vertical blinds,
vinyl vertical blinds, wood vertical blinds, composite vertical
blinds, venetian blinds, vinyl venetian blinds, wood venetian
blinds, composite venetian blinds, aluminum venetian blinds, 1''
venetian blinds, 11/2 venetian blinds, 2'' venetian blinds, and
roll-up shades. We prefer that each swatch card contain the name of
the product family in which the product falls. We further prefer to
color code the cards so that all cards for products in a single
family are the same color. The color may cover the entire card or
be a band or other shape on the upper front portion of the
card.
[0010] When a customer sees the display he or she first looks at
the sample blinds. Upon seeing a blind of interest the customer can
look through the swatch cards for that type of window covering.
From that group of swatch cards the customer can select the card or
cards that have window covering materials in a color and texture
that is appealing to him or her. At that point the customer can
look at the pricing table to determine if the selected window
covering is within his or her budget. If it is not, the customer
can return the card to the display. The entire transaction does not
require the assistance of a salesperson. If the selected product is
priced at an amount that the customer is willing to pay, the
customer can consult a sales person to place an order or can take
the swatch card home with him or her and defer the purchase
decision until after viewing the swatch of window covering material
in the environment where the window covering will be installed. The
retailer may make a modest charge for each card taken by the
customer. This charge not only provides a reimbursement of the
retailer's sample costs but also discourages the customer from
taking swatch cards for products that he or she is not likely to
buy.
[0011] Other objects and advantages of our method and display for
selling window coverings will become apparent from a description of
certain present preferred embodiments thereof which are shown in
the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one present preferred
embodiment of a display unit in accordance with the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one of the swatch card
racks in the display unit shown in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a present preferred
embodiment of our swatch card.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a second preferred
embodiment of our window swatch card.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V of FIG.
4.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of a third preferred
embodiment of our swatch card.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the swatch card of FIG.
3 with the window covering material pulled outward from the
card.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a fourth preferred
embodiment of our swatch card.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in
FIG. 8.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second preferred
embodiment of our display unit for selling window coverings.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one of the modules which
are insertable in side-by-side fashion into the display unit shown
in FIG. 10.
[0023] FIG. 12 is an enlarged side elevational view of the lower
portion of the module shown in FIG. 11.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a third preferred
embodiment of our display unit.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fourth preferred
embodiment of our display unit.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a fifth preferred
embodiment of our display unit.
[0027] FIG. 16 is a rear elevational view of a fourth preferred
embodiment of our swatch card.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1
and 2, a first preferred embodiment of our display for selling
window coverings 10 includes a display unit or cabinet 12 having
racks 14 containing a plurality of columns of pockets each holding
a group of window covering product swatch cards 18 which will be
described in more detail hereinbelow. The upper portion 3 of the
display unit 12 has a plurality of actual operable sample blinds 16
mounted thereon. This portion may be a wall or preferably a storage
bin which contains additional blind samples or swatch cards.
Additional storage bins 13 are provided beneath the columns of
pockets 14 as shown.
[0029] As seen in FIG. 2, each of the racks 14 of pockets 22 is
formed of either metal or plastic thin wall material, preferably as
a unit. The pockets 22 each have a generally upright back wall 20
which is inclined to horizontal preferably at an angle of about
83.degree. or between an angle generally of 70.degree. to
90.degree. so as to maintain the swatch cards 18 contained in the
pocket in a rearwardly leaning and stable orientation. The width 24
of each pocket 22 is sized to receive a preselected group or number
of swatch cards 18. Each pocket may contain multiple copies of the
same swatch card. The swatch cards should be organized or grouped
so that swatch cards for each type of product are placed near one
another. Typically, a single row or column of swatch cards will all
relate to the same type of product.
[0030] Examples of swatch cards bearing various types of window
treatment material are shown in FIGS. 3 to 9 and 16. Each swatch
card contains a sample of window covering material on the front and
a pricing table on the back. The swatch cards preferably are the
size of standard index cards, namely 3 inches by 5 inches. The
swatch of window covering material placed on each card may have a
height of from 13/4 inches to 2 inches and a width of 3 inches.
Consequently, the swatch does not cover the entire front surface of
the card, leaving room for other information. The back of the
swatch card contains a pricing table as shown in FIGS. 6 and 16.
The size of the pricing table will depend upon the number of length
and width combinations in which the window covering product is
offered, as well as available options. The pricing table should not
cover the entire back surface of the swatch card.
[0031] In FIG. 3 a swatch card 18a for a double cellular window
shade is shown having two samples 32 and 36 of window covering
material. Each of the window treatment material samples 32 and 36
bear a product identification label 34 and 38 bearing the material
name, identification number and color. Specialty options 28, which
here are installation options for the particular window treatment,
are also provided on the front of the swatch card as illustrations.
Vendor information 30 also appears on the front of the card 18a. In
this swatch card embodiment 18a, the swatch of double cellular
shade material 32 may be pulled away from the card in the direction
of arrow A in FIG. 7 while holding the swatch card 18a. This allows
the customer as to expand the sample 32 as shown. The swatches of
window covering material 32, 36 are attached to swatch card 18a by
an adhesive 40.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, front and side views of a
second preferred embodiment of the swatch card 18b are shown. This
embodiment 18b includes a window covering material 48 which is a
woven wood formed of lengths of slender actual wood material. The
product identification 42 is given on the upper portion of the
card. This particular product is available as a roman shade, a
roll-up shade, a top down, bottom up shade and an angle shade.
These options are shown by labeled illustrations 44. The vendor
identification number 46 appears at the bottom of the card. A
specific product name and number is attached to the sample 48 by an
adhesive label 50.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 6, the back of a swatch card 18c for yet
another type of window covering is shown. A pricing table 56 with
instructions for use of the table appears on the left side of the
card. As is apparent from the table, prices are based upon the
width and length of the shade in a closed position which correspond
to the dimensions of the window to be covered. Consequently, one
can consider window dimension, when used in the context of window
coverings, to be a way of expressing the width and length of the
window covering product which will cover that window. This is true
even though the width and length of the window covering may be
somewhat less than the width and length of the window. Those window
dimensions are easily determined by the customer. A customer can
find the height and width of his or her window in the table and
locate the price for the window covering in the table. In this
embodiment the product name appears on the back of the card 18c as
well as the front of the card (not shown). As in the other swatch
cards previously described the title block is color coded. This
product is available with a tilt control and lift cords that can be
on the left or right of the blind. Hold down brackets and a crown
valance are also available. Text 58 on the card 18c tells the
customer about these options. This swatch card 18c also contains a
discount offer based upon a 45 day delivery and a bar code. The bar
code may identify the swatch card or the window covering product
corresponding to the swatch card.
[0034] The back of another present preferred swatch card 140 shown
in FIG. 16 also contains a pricing table, with instructions,
installation options, options, a bar code and available discount.
The back of the card does not contain the product name or product
family. That information appears on the front of the card (not
shown). However, warranty information and order information
including a toll free telephone number and website are provided.
This card also contains an example price calculation.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, a fourth embodiment of the
swatch card 18d is used for vinyl vertical blinds. An actual
segment of vertical blind slat 62 is attached to the front of the
card. To attach this window treatment material 62, a thick
compressible double-sided adhesive member 70 is attached as shown
in FIG. 9 between the swatch card 18d and the back surface of the
sample 62. A specific product identification label 64 is adhesively
attached to the outer surface of the sample 62 while installation
option 66 and vendor identification 68 are also provided on the
swatch card 18d.
[0036] The present preferred swatch cards shown in the drawings
have an actual piece of window covering material on the front of
the card and the pricing table is printed on the back of the card.
The invention is not limited to this particular configuration. The
window covering material and pricing table may appear on the same
side of the card. One could use a color photograph or color
reproduction of the window covering material rather than an actual
sample. However, if a photograph or reproduction is used the colors
in the photograph or reproduction should be identical or nearly
identical to the colors in the material that will be sold.
[0037] The present preferred swatch cards are fully assembled prior
to being presented to the customer. However, one could provide a
display in which the customer gathers the appropriate material
needed for the product of interest from different locations in the
display and the customer assembles them together. For example, a
retailer may offer the same fabric in pleated, single cell and
double cell forms on the same hardware system, but at different
prices for pleated, single cell or double cell. A single swatch
card may contain a flat piece of fabric with a letter P, S or D
corresponding to pleated, single cell or double cell fabric.
Another set of cards or a wall display may have a pricing table,
similar to the table shown in FIG. 6 or 16, one table for pleated
product, another table for single cell product, and a third table
for double cell product. The consumer would then select the card
having the appropriate pricing table and put that card together
with the card bearing the piece of fabric. Alternatively, the
consumer may consult the wall display, and copy the price, or place
a sticker bearing the price or a series of prices, onto the card
bearing the sample. In this instance the swatch card would have a
reference to the applicable pricing table in the display. That
reference may be the title of the pricing table or instructions to
consult the display for price information. The term pricing table
as used here is not limited to a matrix having several rows and
columns such as is shown in FIGS. 6 and 16, but is any
representation that conveys pricing information to the customer.
Another option is to provide a pricing table which covers more than
one product type. For example, one table may have prices for
pleated, single cell and double cell products. The pricing table or
reference could simply be identified by a letter or number rather
than a product name. The pricing table applicable to a particular
product would be listed on the swatch card by table name such as
"Price Group A" or "Table I." The applicable pricing table could be
selected based upon not only the type of window product offered,
but also based upon delivery time, quantity purchased, promotional
offers or other factors.
[0038] A second present preferred display unit 80, shown in FIG.
10, has several racks 84 of swatch cards 94. The racks are shown in
detail in FIGS. 11 and 12. The upper portion 82 of the display unit
80 has several storage bins 88. A sample of a window covering
product is mounted in front of each storage bin. Thus, the upper
portion 82 of this display unit 80 will be similar to the upper
portion of the display unit 10 shown in FIG. 1. In the central
portion each rack 84 of swatch cards is on a back panel. The back
panel as well as the racks can be removable from the display unit
80. Upright panels 90 separate sets of racks 84.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, each rack is a set of
interlocked pockets 96 having an upright back 98 and a diagonally
downwardly extending support panel 100 which lock together as shown
within circle 102. A group 94 of swatch card samples fits snugly
into the cavity 104 so that the swatch cards lean rearwardly for
both visual selection and stability. Lower storage bins 92 provide
additional storage space for extra swatch cards and sample
blinds.
[0040] Another present preferred display unit 110, shown in FIG.
13, also contains the racks 84 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 to hold
swatch cards and storage bins 114. This embodiment displays sample
window covering products 112 on walls beside the racks. Photographs
116 of rooms containing window covering products of the type being
offered for sale are placed above the rack of swatch cards.
[0041] A fourth present preferred display unit 120, shown in FIG.
14, has several windows 123 and a different sample of window
covering product 122 mounted on each window. Racks 84 of swatch
cards are mounted on either side of the window. Photographs 126 of
rooms containing window covering products of the type being offered
for sale appear at the top of the cabinet. Storage bins 124 are
provided in the bottom of he display unit.
[0042] A fifth present preferred display unit 130, shown in FIG.
15, is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1. Racks 84 of swatch
cards are provided in the central portion of the display above
storage compartments or drawers 132. Sample window covering
products 134 are mounted on top of the display.
[0043] Although we prefer to provide actual product samples on the
display which holds the swatch cards, one could substitute color
photographs of the window covering product. Those photographs may
show the product in a room as in photographs 116 and 126 in FIGS.
13 and 14. Or, the photographs may show only the window covering
product. This type of display may be similar to any of the displays
in FIGS. 1, 10, 13, 14 or 15 with photographs appearing in place of
the product samples.
[0044] It should be apparent that the display unit could be
configured in other ways such that the racks or other display of
swatch cards and sample blinds or photographs are in different
positions relative to one another. Moreover, the swatch card racks
and sample blinds could be on different structures located in close
proximity to one another but not attached together. Fewer or more
blind segments and racks of swatch cards than contained in the
preferred embodiments could be used.
[0045] One or more display units are placed in a retail store or
showroom. A customer looking for a window covering product will go
to the display and probably first look at the sample blinds. Each
sample blind may be labeled by the product name or color which
appears on the swatch cards associated with that product. Upon
seeing a product of interest the customer should be able to readily
find the related swatch cards in the display racks. The customer
then looks through the group of cards for the product of interest
and selects the card or cards having a swatch of window covering
material which appeals to the customer. After removing the card
from the rack, the customer can find the price for the product in
the pricing table on the back of the card. The customer will also
learn from the card which options are available. At that point the
customer can decide if he or she can obtain the product and any
desired options at an acceptable price. If so, the customer can
find a sales person and place an order. If not, the customer can
return the card to the rack without any involvement from a sales
person.
[0046] Some customers may wish to take one or more swatch cards
from the store to observe the window covering material in the
environment where the window covering product will be installed.
The swatch cards of the present invention can be easily carried by
the customer. Moreover, each swatch card may contain sufficient
information to enable the customer to place an order by telephone
or over the Internet. The retailer may make a modest charge for
each card taken by the customer. This charge not only provides a
reimbursement of the retailer's sample costs, but also discourages
the customer from taking swatch cards for products that he or she
is not likely to buy. All or a portion of the charge can be
refunded when the card is returned.
[0047] Although we have shown and described certain present
preferred embodiments of our method and display for selling window
coverings, it should be distinctly understood that our invention is
not limited thereto, but may be variously embodied within the scope
of the following claims.
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