U.S. patent application number 11/842258 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-06 for display for sheet goods.
Invention is credited to Edward S. Robbins.
Application Number | 20080053867 11/842258 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39150012 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080053867 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Robbins; Edward S. |
March 6, 2008 |
DISPLAY FOR SHEET GOODS
Abstract
A sample display unit for sheets goods that is easy to transport
and assemble, sturdy to withstand a plurality of sheet goods for a
lengthy time, and capable of containing advertisements. The sample
display unit for sheet goods has a rectangular body, a shelf, and a
header. The rectangular body includes a back panel, a face panel,
and side panels with inclined top edges. The shelf partitions the
rectangular body into an upper sample display container and a lower
enclosure. The shelf is also provided at a suitable height to allow
the sheet goods such as desk mats, floor mats, carpet mats and
chair mats to be removed with ease. In one embodiment, a support
base can be situated within the lower enclosure to provide support
for the shelf and the display unit. In another embodiment, a frame
can be used to support the shelf and the display unit. When sheet
goods are contained within the upper sample display container, the
products can be easily removed from the shelf without having to
lift the sheet goods over an edge or a lip. The sample display unit
may also include graphical indicia relating to the product.
Inventors: |
Robbins; Edward S.; (Muscle
Shoals, AL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INDIANAPOLIS OFFICE 27879;BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
ONE INDIANA SQUARE, SUITE 1600
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204-2033
US
|
Family ID: |
39150012 |
Appl. No.: |
11/842258 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60841426 |
Aug 31, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/756 ; 211/50;
211/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/11 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/756 ; 211/50;
211/72 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/30 20060101
B65D005/30 |
Claims
1. A sample display unit comprising: a rectangular body including a
back panel, a face panel, and two upstanding side panels having a
top edge, wherein a portion of the top edge of the side panels is
inclined to face toward the face panel; a shelf partitioning the
rectangular body into an upper sample display container and a lower
enclosure; and a header extending upwardly from the back panel.
2. The sample display unit in claim 1, wherein the back panel has a
top edge, and the top edge of the side panels has a highest point
which is at least as high as the top edge of the back panel.
3. The sample display unit in claim 2, wherein the highest point of
the top edge of the side panels is substantially the same height as
the top edge of the back panel.
4. The sample display unit in claim 1, wherein the face panel
having a top edge is substantially perpendicular to the shelf and
the top edge of the face panel is lower in elevation than the
shelf.
5. The sample display unit in claim 1, wherein the entire top edge
of the side panels is inclined to face frontward.
6. The sample display unit in claim 1, wherein the side panels have
a front edge, and the front edge of the side panels meets the top
edge of the side panels to form a vertex, wherein the vertex is at
least as high as the top edge of the face panel.
7. The sample display unit in claim 6, wherein the vertex is
substantially the same height as the top edge of the face
panel.
8. The sample display unit in claim 1, wherein the header extends
upwardly from the top edge of the back panel and the header and the
back panel are co-planar.
9. The sample display unit in claim 1 or 4 further comprising of a
support base occupying the lower enclosure and supporting the
shelf.
10. The sample display unit in claim 9, wherein the support base
comprises of a plurality of substantially parallel first sheets
transversely interconnected to at least one second sheet.
11. The sample display unit in claim 9, wherein the support base
comprises of a plurality of first sheets, arranged front-back and
substantially parallel, transversely interconnected to a plurality
of second sheets, arranged side-side and substantially
parallel.
12. The sample display unit in claims 10 or 11, wherein the first
sheets and the second sheets have at least one slot, and the first
and second sheets are attached by transversely interconnecting the
slots of the first sheet and the second sheet to form the support
base.
13. The sample display unit in claim 9, wherein the header and the
back panel are one piece, and the header and the back panel are
separated by a fold-line.
14. The sample display unit in claim 1 or 4 further comprising of a
frame comprising: a pair of side uprights having at least one
girder and a platform connecting the girders, wherein the platform
supports the side uprights and the shelf, and the side uprights
support the side panels.
15. The sample display unit in claim 14 further comprising of at
least one crosspiece connecting the side uprights, wherein the
crosspiece supports the side uprights and at least one of the face
panel, the back panel, or the header.
16. A sample display unit comprising: a rectangular body including
a back panel, at least one face panel having a top edge, and two
upstanding side panels having a top edge, wherein a portion of the
top edge of the side panels is inclined to face toward the at least
one face panel; at least one shelf partitioning the rectangular
body into an upper sample display container and a lower enclosure,
and wherein the at least one face panel has a top edge
substantially perpendicular to the at least one shelf and the top
edge of the at least one face panel is lower in elevation than the
at least one shelf; a header extending upwardly from the back
panel; and a support base occupying the lower enclosure and
supporting the shelf, wherein the support base comprises of a
plurality of substantially parallel first sheets transversely
interconnected to at least one second sheet.
17. A sample display unit comprising: a rectangular body including
a back panel, a face panel having a top edge, and two upstanding
side panels having a top edge, wherein a portion of the top edge of
the side panels is inclined to face toward the face panel; a shelf
partitioning the rectangular body into an upper sample display
container and a lower enclosure, wherein the face panel having a
top edge is substantially perpendicular to the shelf and the top
edge of the face panel is lower in elevation than the shelf; a
header extending upwardly from the back panel; and a frame
comprising of a pair of side uprights having at least one girder,
wherein the side uprights support the side panels, a platform
connecting the girders, wherein the platform supports the side
uprights and the shelf, and at least one crosspiece connecting the
side uprights, wherein the crosspiece supports the side uprights
and at least one of the face panel, the back panel, or the
header.
18. The sample display unit in claims 1, 9, 14, 16 or 17, wherein
at least one side of the header, the back panel, the face panel,
and the side panels has graphical indicia relating to the
product.
19. The sample display unit in claims 1, 9, 14, 16 or 17, further
comprising of at least one sample, wherein the sample is placed on
and removed from the upper sample display container.
20. The sample display unit in claim 16 having a pair of face
panels and a pair of shelves separated by the back panel and
header.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is related to, and claims all
available benefits from, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
60/841,426 filed Aug. 31, 2006.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention is directed to a display unit for
various products and, specifically, to display sheet goods such as
desk mats, floor mats, carpet mats and chair mats used to protect
an underlying surface. In particular, the present invention relates
to a display system having features that enhance the ease of
displaying and handling, and improve the marketability of such
sheet goods.
[0003] Display units are used to display and support products in
various locations, such as a retail store, an office store, a
convention, a club store or a mass merchandiser. Some display units
are also used as shipping containers for products, especially when
these products are small in size, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,281
and U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,351. U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,281 discloses a
one-piece shipping container/display unit for shipment, handling
and display of articles as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The shipping
container/display unit is constructed of a corrugated container
formed from a unitary blank. The shipping container/display unit
includes a pair of side and end walls integrally connected to form
a bottom closure flap and top closure flap. As shown in FIG. 2 of
U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,281, the side walls have an integrally
connected side wall liner flap that functions as double wall
construction. In addition, the bottom closure is constructed of
bottom closure flaps to function as double wall construction.
Double wall construction may be wasteful and unnecessary,
especially when a display unit is not shipped as an assembled unit
and is supported by other means when assembled.
[0004] Each bottom closure flap of shipping container/display unit
forms a relatively short partial end wall liner suited to provide a
minimum end wall remainder as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 12 and 14 of
U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,281. The end wall, however, compels the user to
lift the article before removing the article from the shipping
container/display unit. This can be very cumbersome, especially
when only a few articles remain within shipping container/display
unit, or when the product is shaped awkwardly. Furthermore, the
shipping container/display unit must be used with other containers
or another structure to provide the articles at a suitable
elevation. An elevation is suitable when, while a user is removing
the article from the shipping container/display unit, the user
avoids much bending at the waist or of the back.
[0005] Additionally, when products are larger in size, the products
are typically shipped separately from the display units. When
shipped separately, the display units, then, are assembled at the
destination where the products will be sold. To illustrate, FIG. 1
of U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,773 discloses such product display and
support carton. The product display and support carton includes a
display box and an opposed pair of dividers that define at least
two separate product receiving compartments. The display box
comprises of a bottom panel and an upwardly extending wall panel,
which together form a product carrying enclosure. The product
carrying enclosure is further divided by dividers that define at
least two separate product receiving compartments.
[0006] In addition, the display box has an open top defined by a
top wall panel edge disposed opposite the bottom panel, and the
product carrying enclosure is inclined at an angle to the vertical
when the bottom panel is on a horizontal surface. The upwardly
extending wall panel is preferably defined by an upwardly and
rearwardly inclined front wall, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined
rear wall, and a pair of generally parallel side walls. The front
wall comprises of a product restraining wall. However, the front
wall forces the article to be lifted before being removed from the
shipping container/display unit. Moreover, the product carrying
enclosure does not provide products at a suitable elevation.
[0007] When display units support larger products, the display
units often need reinforcement or extra support. The extra support
also typically raises the product above ground level in order for
displayed products to be easily removed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,652
discloses in FIGS. 8 and 9 such sample display case that
incorporates a pedestal. The sample display case provides an
upwardly open, transversally partitioned box preferably made of
exteriorly decorated corrugated paper box board. The box has upper
and lower edges which are protected and reinforced with square
hoop-like metal frames. Dividers are hung from the metal frames.
The sample display case may be free-standing or pedestal-supported,
e.g., upon a similar case turned on its side or upon a vertical
axis cruciform support. Samples of carpet are stowed in the
individual upwardly open cells defined between the box sides and
partitions are individually accessible. While the pedestal may
provide the products at a suitable elevation, walls of the box do
not allow the product to easily slide away when the product is
removed horizontally from the container, and do not allow
accessibility to the products from the side of the sample display
case.
[0008] Thus, there is a need for a display system that allows sheet
goods to be easily removed without lifting the sheet goods over an
edge or lip. It is also desirable that the sheet goods be provided
at a suitable elevation. Furthermore, there is a need for a display
system that can ship separately as a kit in a minimum amount of
space and that is lightweight and easy to assemble.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0009] A sample display unit of the present invention can comprise
a rectangular body, a shelf, and a header. The rectangular body can
include a back panel, a face panel, and two upstanding side panels
having a top edge. The top edge of the side panels can be inclined
to face frontward toward the face panel. The shelf can partition
the rectangular body into an upper sample display container and a
lower enclosure. Furthermore, the header can extend upwardly from
the back panel. The face panel has a top edge that can be lower
than the elevation of the shelf. In addition, the face panel can be
substantially perpendicular to the shelf. The shelf is intended to
support sheet goods at a convenient height for selection by a
customer of the goods.
[0010] In accordance with one embodiment, the sample display unit
can further comprise of a support base that occupies the lower
enclosure of the rectangular body. The support base can comprise of
a plurality of substantially parallel first sheets transversely
interconnected to at least one second sheet. The first and second
sheets can have at least one slot where the slots of the first and
second sheets interconnect.
[0011] In accordance with another embodiment, the sample display
unit can further comprise of a frame. The frame comprises of a pair
of side uprights and a platform. The side uprights can have at
least one girder and can support the side panels. The platform
connects the girders and can support the side uprights and the
shelf. Additionally, the display can comprise of at least one
crosspiece that connects the side uprights. The crosspiece can
support the side uprights and at least one of the face panel, the
back panel, or the header, or any combination.
[0012] In accordance with another embodiment, the sample display
unit can comprise rectangular body, a pair of shelves separated by
a header. The rectangular body can include a back panel, a pair of
facing panels, and two upstanding side panels joining the facing
panels to each other and to the back panel. A top edge of the side
panels can be inclined to face away from the back panel and toward
the facing panels. The shelves can partition the rectangular body
into a pair of sample display containers and a lower enclosure.
Furthermore, the header can extend upwardly from the back panel.
The facing panels can have a top edge that can be lower than the
elevation of the shelves. In addition, the facing panels can be
substantially perpendicular to the shelves. The shelves are
intended to support sheet goods on opposite sides of the header at
a convenient height for selection by a customer of the goods
[0013] The sample display unit can also contain graphical indicia
relating to the product. The graphical indicia can be found on one
side or on both sides of the header, the back panel, the face
panel, and the side panels. Furthermore, the sample display unit
can further comprise of a product sample. The product sample can be
placed on and removed from the upper sample display container.
[0014] One advantage of the present invention is the ease of
handling the product when being removed. Another advantage is the
ease of shipping and handling of the sample display unit. Also an
advantage is the ease of conversion of the sample display unit from
shipment to an attractive commercial display of the products. Other
features of the present display stands and the corresponding
advantages of those features will be come apparent from the
following discussion of preferred embodiments of the present
invention, exemplifying the best mode of practicing the present
invention, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The
components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis
instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sample display unit of the
present invention with a support base.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the support base in FIG.
1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sample display unit of the
present invention with a frame.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the display unit with a frame
in FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another sample display
unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] A better understanding of the present invention will now be
had upon reference to the following description of preferred
embodiments, when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts
throughout the several views and different embodiments of the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a first sample display unit
10 comprises of a rectangular body 12, a shelf 14, and a header 16.
The rectangular body 12 includes a back panel 20, a face panel 22,
and two upstanding side panels 24, 26 having top edges 25, 27
respectively. At least a portion of the top edges 25, 27 can be
inclined to face frontward toward the face panel 22 so that a user
has accessibility to the products 110, such as sheet goods, from
the side if needed. The shelf 14 partitions the rectangular body 12
into an upper sample display container 28 and a lower enclosure 29.
The shelf 14 is intended to support products 110 in the nature of
sheet goods, such as floor mats, desk chair mats, or the like, at a
convenient height for selection by a customer of the goods.
[0021] Furthermore, the header 16 extends upwardly from the back
panel 20. The header is mainly used for advertising the sheet goods
on display. The back panel 20 has a top edge 21, and a highest
point 19 of the top edges 25, 27 of the side panels 24, 26 can be
at least as high as the top edge 21 of the back panel 20. The
header 16 can extend upwardly from the top edge 21 of the back
panel. In addition, the header 16 and the back panel 20 can be
co-planar. In some embodiments, the header 16 and the back panel 20
are one piece, and the header 16 and the back panel 20 can be
separated by a fold-line.
[0022] The face panel 22 has a top edge 23, and the top edge 23 is
lower than the elevation of the shelf 14. The face panel 22 is also
substantially perpendicular to the shelf 14. The side panels 24, 26
have a front edge 30, 31 respectively. The front edges 30, 31 meet
the top edges 25, 27 of the side panels to form vertices 32, 34
respectively. The vertices 32, 34 can be at least as high as the
top edge 23 of the face panel.
[0023] In accordance with the first embodiment of the present
invention, the sample display unit 10 can further comprise of a
support base 40 that occupies the lower enclosure 29 of the
rectangular body as shown in FIG. 1. According to FIG. 2, the
support base 40 can comprise of a plurality of substantially
parallel first sheets 42 transversely interconnected to at least
one second sheet 44. Each of the first sheet 42 and second sheet 44
can have at least one slot 46 where the slot or slots of the first
sheet 42 interconnect with slot or slots of the second sheet 44.
The support base 40 should be sufficiently strong to resist the
load of the shelf 14, the display unit 10, and sheet goods, yet
sufficiently light weight to avoid contributing significantly to
the overall load. Thus, the support base 40 and the first display
unit 10 should be made of any lightweight, sturdy material known in
the art. For example, various combinations of corrugated board
prepared in a standard manner, fiberboard, paper, plastic or
metal.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention, a second sample display unit
10 comprises of a rectangular body 12, a shelf 14, and a header 16.
The rectangular body 12 includes a back panel 20, a face panel 22,
and two upstanding side panels 24, 26 having top edges 25, 27
respectively. At least a portion of the top edges 25, 27 can be
inclined to face frontward toward the face panel 22. The shelf 14
partitions the rectangular body 12 into an upper sample display
container 28 and a lower enclosure 29. The shelf 14 can be made of
any light weight material that sufficiently supports the load of
sheet goods, such as particle board, corrugated board, fiberboard,
plastic or metal.
[0025] Furthermore, the header 16 extends upwardly from the back
panel 20. The back panel 20 has a top edge 21, and a highest point
19 of the top edges 25, 27 of the side panels 24, 26 can be at
least as high as the top edge 21 of the back panel 20. The header
16 can extend upwardly from the top edge 21 of the back panel. In
addition, the header 16 and the back panel 20 can be co-planar.
[0026] The face panel 22 has a top edge 23 that is substantially
perpendicular to the shelf 14 and the top edge 23 is lower than the
elevation of the shelf 14. The side panels 24, 26 have a front edge
30, 31 respectively. The front edges 30, 31 meet the top edges 25,
27 of the side panels to form vertices 32, 34 respectively. The
vertices 32, 34 can be at least as high as the top edge 23 of the
face panel.
[0027] The second sample display unit 10 can further comprise of a
frame 60 as shown in FIG. 4. The frame 60 can comprise of a pair of
side uprights 62, 64 and a platform 70. The side uprights 62, 64
each can have at least one girder 63, 65 respectively. The girders
63, 65 primarily support the platform 70. Furthermore, the side
uprights 62, 64 can support the side panels 24, 26 respectively.
The platform 70 can connect the girders 63, 65 and can support the
side uprights 62, 64 and the shelf 14. Additionally, the sample
display unit 10 can comprise of at least one crosspiece 80 that
connects the side uprights 62, 64. (Three crosspieces 80a, 80b, 80c
are shown in FIG. 4). The crosspiece 80 can support the side
uprights 62, 64 and at least one of the face panel 22, the back
panel 20, or the header 16, or any combination. The frame 60 can be
made of various materials known in the art to be rigid and light,
such as metal, plastic, wood, etc. In accordance with FIGS. 3 and
4, the frame consists of metal tubing.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 5, a third sample display unit 10 comprises
of a rectangular body 12, a pair of shelves 14 separated by a
header 16. The rectangular body 12 includes a back panel 20, a pair
of face panels 22, and two upstanding side panels 24, 26 having top
edges 25, 27 respectively. At least a portion of the top edges 25,
27 can be inclined toward the adjacent face panel 22 so that a user
has accessibility to the sheet goods from either side, if needed.
The shelves 14 partition the rectangular body 12 into an upper
sample display container 28 and a lower enclosure 29. The shelves
14 are intended to support products 110 in the nature of sheet
goods, such as floor mats, desk chair mats, or the like, at a
convenient height for selection by a customer of the goods.
[0029] Furthermore, the header 16 extends upwardly from the back
panel 20. The header 16 is mainly used for advertising the sheet
goods on display. The back panel 20 has a top edge 21, and a
highest point 19 of the top edges 25, 27 of the side panels 24, 26
can be at least as high as the top edge 21 of the back panel 20.
The header 16 can extend upwardly from the top edge 21 of the back
panel. In addition, the header 16 and the back panel 20 can be
co-planar. The header 16 and the back panel 20 can be formed of one
piece, and the header 16 and the back panel 20 can be separated
from each other by a fold-line coincident with top edge 21.
[0030] The face panels 22 have a top edge 23. The top edges 23 can
be parallel to each other and at the same elevation as the shelf
14. The face panels 22 can also be substantially perpendicular to
the shelf 14. The side panels 24, 26 have edges 30, 31
respectively. The edges 30, 31 meet the top edges 25, 27 of the
side panels to form vertices 32, 34 respectively. The vertices 32,
34 can be at least as high as the top edge 23 of the face panels
22. Like the first embodiment of the present invention, the sample
display unit 10 of the third embodiment can further comprise of a
support base 40 that occupies the lower enclosure 29 of the
rectangular body as shown in FIG. 2. The support base 40 can
comprise of a plurality of substantially parallel first sheets 42
transversely interconnected to at least one second sheet 44 as
shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the third display unit can be
formed with frame as shown in FIG. 4. The support base 40 having
either construction can be conveniently supported on a standard
pallet 41. Additionally, a pair of the display units 10 shown in
FIGS. 1-4 can also be conveniently supported on a standard pallet
41 in like manner.
[0031] The sample display units can also contain graphical indicia
90 relating to the products 110. According to FIG. 1, the graphical
indicia can be found on one side or on both sides 91, 92 of the
header 16, both sides 93, 94 of the back panel 20, both sides 95,
96 of the face panel 22, and both sides 97, 98 and 99, 100 of the
side panels 24, 26 respectively.
[0032] Furthermore, the first and second sample display unit 10 can
further comprise of a product sample 110, typically sheet goods,
such as floor mats, desk chair mats, etc. The product sample 110
can be placed on the shelf 14, and removed from the upper sample
display container 28 without encountering any obstruction along the
top edge 23. Additionally, the product sample can be available at a
suitable elevation, namely the shelf can be at a height between
about 18-30 inches to facilitate customer selection.
[0033] Regarding the comparative height of the vertices 32, 34, as
shown in FIG. 3, the vertices 32, 34 are shown to be higher than
the top edge 23 of the face panel. However, in FIG. 1, the vertices
32, 34 to be substantially the same height as the top edge 23 of
the face panel as shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, the top edges 25, 27
shown in FIG. 1 are entirely inclined, while the top edges 25, 27
in FIGS. 3 and 4 are partially inclined. Also shown in FIGS. 1, 2,
and 4, the top edges 25, 27 of the side panels 24, 26 are
substantially the same height as the top edge 21 of the back panel
20. The embodiments in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 also show the header 16
extending upwardly from the top edge 21 of the back panel 20 and
the header 16 as coplanar with the back panel 20. Additionally
shown In FIG. 4, the header 16 can also be supported by the side
uprights 62, 64.
[0034] The sample display unit 10 can be shipped separate from the
sheet goods. If this is the case, the sample display unit 10 will
be shipped as components forming a kit. When the sample display
unit kit arrives at a destination, the kit is located near where
the display will be used. If the sample display unit 10 is similar
to the first embodiment, then the sample display unit would be
shipped in a few components including the support base 40. The
rectangular box 12 would then be assembled, as well as the support
base 40. The shelf 14 and header 16 would then be placed at their
respective locations. Next, the rectangular box 12 would be placed
on top of the support base 40. Minor movement may be needed to
position all the pieces in the correct fashion. Lastly, the sheet
goods 110 are stacked on top of the shelf 14, and the sample
display unit 10 is ready for use.
[0035] If, however, the sample display unit 10 is similar to the
second embodiment, then the sample display unit 10 would be shipped
as several components in a kit as shown in FIG. 4. When the sample
display unit kit arrives at a destination, the kit is located near
where the display will be used. First, the side uprights 62, 64
including the girders 63, 65 are placed upright and are oriented in
a way that the girders face the inside. Next, the platform 70 is
attached to the girders 63, 65 in between the side uprights 62, 64.
The shelf 14 is then attached to the platform 70. The crosspieces
80 are then attached to the side uprights 62, 64. Subsequently, the
side panels 24, 26, the face panel 22, the back panel 20, and
header 16 are attached to the side uprights 62, 64 and crosspieces
80. Once setup, the sample sheet goods 110 are placed on top of the
shelf 14 and the sample display unit 10 is ready for use.
[0036] Thus, after setup the sample display unit 10 allows sheet
goods to be easily removed. A user can easily slide the sheet goods
110 from the stack without having to lift the sheet goods 110 over
an edge or lip. This is accomplished by lowering the top edge 23 of
the face panel 22 below the elevation of the shelf 14. Also, the
user can access the sheet goods 110 from the sides because of the
inclined top edges 25, 27 of the side panels 24, 26. Furthermore,
the user is provided the sheet goods at a suitable elevation. This
is accomplished by designing the shelf 14 to be at a certain
distance from the floor in order to alleviate the need to bend at
the back or waist. Because the sample display unit 10 can be
separated into components, a user could easily ship the sample
display unit 10 as a kit and assemble on site. Lastly, both the
support base 30 and the frame 60 provide sufficient support for a
plurality of sheet goods, while being light weight.
[0037] The foregoing detailed description should be regarded as
illustrative rather than limiting. The following claims, including
all equivalents, define the spirit and scope of this invention.
* * * * *