U.S. patent application number 13/703798 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-09 for merchandise display system.
This patent application is currently assigned to MARLITE, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Jamie Kuhn. Invention is credited to Jamie Kuhn.
Application Number | 20130112637 13/703798 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44627908 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130112637 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuhn; Jamie |
May 9, 2013 |
MERCHANDISE DISPLAY SYSTEM
Abstract
A profile rail (16) for a merchandise display system (10) is
used for supporting merchandise on at least one display accessory
arm (14) extending from a display wall (11). The profile rail (16)
has a top wall (34), a bottom wall (36) and a rear wall (38)
defining an open chamber (28) configured to receive an accessory
arm (14), wherein the chamber (28) has a channel (30) formed
therein between an upper lip (31) and lower lip (32) and extending
rearward toward the rear wall (38), and wherein an upper wall (66)
extends between the top wall (34) and the upper lip (31) and the
lower lip (32) extends from the bottom wall (36). The profile rail
(16) has a lower bearing surface (32) located in the bottom wall
(36), and the profile rail (16) also includes an upper bearing
surface (62) located on the upper wall (66) directed toward the
chamber (28). A protrusion (50) extends into the chamber (28)
adjacent to the top and rear walls (34, 38), wherein the protrusion
(50) is spaced-apart from the rear wall (38) to form a receiving
chamber (51) therebetween, and the protrusion (50) includes a rear
bearing surface (53) directed toward the receiving chamber (51).
The invention is also directed to a display system comprising the
profile rail and an accessory arm cantileveringly supported in the
profile rail.
Inventors: |
Kuhn; Jamie; (Cambridge,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kuhn; Jamie |
Cambridge |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
MARLITE, INC.
Dover
OH
|
Family ID: |
44627908 |
Appl. No.: |
13/703798 |
Filed: |
June 21, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
June 21, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US11/01102 |
371 Date: |
January 16, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61358585 |
Jun 25, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/105.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 1/00 20130101; A47F
5/0876 20130101; A47F 5/0853 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/105.1 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/08 20060101
A47F005/08; A47F 1/00 20060101 A47F001/00 |
Claims
1. A profile rail (16) for a merchandise display system (10) used
for supporting merchandise on at least one display accessory arm
(14) extending from a display wall (11), the profile rail (16)
comprising: a top wall (34), a bottom wall (36) and a rear wall
(38) defining a chamber (28) configured to receive an accessory arm
(14), wherein the chamber (28) has a channel (30) extending
therefrom between an upper lip (31) and lower lip (32), and wherein
an upper wall (66) extends between the top wall (34) and the upper
lip (31) and the lower lip (32) extends from the bottom wall (36);
a lower bearing surface (32) is located on the bottom wall (36); a
protrusion (50) extending into the chamber (28) adjacent to the top
and rear walls (34, 38), wherein the protrusion (50) is
spaced-apart from the rear wall (38) to form a receiving chamber
(51) therebetween, and the protrusion (50) includes a rear bearing
surface (53) directed toward the receiving chamber (51); and an
upper bearing surface (62) is located on the upper wall (66) and is
directed toward the chamber (28).
2. The profile rail of claim 1 further comprising an upper cavity
(80) and a lower cavity (81) positioned adjacent to the chamber
(28).
3. The profile rail of claim 1, wherein an upper panel support
flange (82) extends upwardly from the upper cavity (80) and a lower
panel support flange (84) extends upwardly from the lower cavity
(81).
4. The profile rail of claim 1, wherein the lower bearing surface
(32) includes a longitudinal duct (44) having a slip-preventing
strip (46) positioned therein.
5. A merchandise display system (10) comprising: a base portion
(12) comprising: a top wall (34), a rear wall (38), and a bottom
wall (36) forming a chamber (28) therebetween, wherein the bottom
wall (36) includes a lower bearing surface (42); an upper wall (66)
extending between the top wall (34) and an upper lip (32), wherein
the upper wall (66) includes an upper bearing surface (62); a lower
lip (32) extending from the bottom wall (36); a channel (30)
extending from the chamber (28), wherein the channel (30) is
surrounded by the upper and lower lips (31, 32); a protrusion (50)
positioned between the top wall (34) and the rear wall (38) and is
spaced-apart from both, wherein the protrusion (50) extends into
the chamber (28) and includes a rear bearing surface (53); an
accessory arm (14) releasably engageable with the base portion
(12).
6. The merchandise display system of claim 5, wherein the accessory
arm (14) includes a peg (14A) and a tongue (110), wherein the peg
(14A) has a distal end (120) and a base end (112) and the tongue
(110) extends from the base end (112), said tongue (110) being
insertable into the channel (30) for removable engagement with the
base portion (12).
7. The merchandise display system of claim 6, wherein the tongue
(110) includes a stem (116) and a hook (118), said hook (118) being
engageable with the rear bearing surface (53) of the protrusion
(50) for securing the accessory arm (14) to the base portion
(12).
8. The merchandise display system of claim 5, wherein the accessory
arm (14) includes a top surface (141), a bottom surface (142), and
a rear surface (143) extending between the top and bottom surfaces
(141, 142), said top surface (141) being engageable with the
protrusion (50) of the base portion (12), the bottom surface (142)
being engageable with the slip-preventing strip (46), and the rear
surface (143) being engageable with the rear wall (38) of the base
portion (12) for removably connecting the accessory arm (14) to the
base portion (12).
9. The merchandise display system of claim 5, wherein the accessory
arm (14) includes a base end (112) and a distal end (120) and a
bracket (140) extending from the base end (112), the bracket (140)
being insertable into the chamber (28) of the base portion (12),
wherein a portion of the bracket (140) contacts the upper bearing
surface (62) of the upper wall (66) for removably engaging the
accessory arm (14) to the base portion (12).
10. The merchandise display system of claim 5, wherein the
accessory arm (14) is a peg, a shelf, or a table frame.
11. The merchandise display system of claim 5, wherein the base
portion (12) further includes an upper cavity (80) and a lower
cavity (81) extending from the rear wall (38) and an upper panel
support flange (82) extending from the upper cavity (80) and a
lower panel support flange (84) extending from the lower cavity
(81).
12. The merchandise display system of claim 5, wherein the base
portion (12) further includes an upper tongue extension (94)
extending outwardly from the upper lip (31) in the direction
opposite the channel (30) and a lower tongue extension (95)
extending outwardly from the lower lip (32) in the direction
opposite the channel (30).
13. The merchandise display system of claim 12, wherein the
accessory arm (14) is a cover (102) that is operatively connectable
to the upper and lower tongue extensions (94, 95) in snapping
engagement for removably securing the cover (102) to the base
portion (12).
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/358,585 filed Jun. 25,
2010.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of invention
[0003] This invention relates to the field merchandise display
systems, and more particularly, relates to a merchandise display
system mountable on a display wall configured to receive
cantilevered accessories on which articles may be displayed.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Many types of display systems are used to support
merchandise on a display panel or wall at locations such as retail
stores. These systems use one or more types of accessory arms, such
as pegs, brackets or shelves, on which the merchandise is
displayed. In some systems, these accessory arms are attached to
the display wall with nails, screws or an adhesive fastener.
However, it is often desirable to periodically change the display
layout or to switch the type of accessory arms used in the layout.
For example, at times it may be desirable to reposition the
location of a peg accessory arm or to replace a peg accessory arm
with a small shelf if the display panel is to be used for different
products. With these semi-permanent display systems, changing the
layout requires the removal of the screws or nails and repairing
the holes left behind in the display wall.
[0006] It is known to use display systems with accessory arms
configured to be plugged into a rail or slot in the display panel.
However, some of these display systems are not very functional in
that it can be difficult to secure the accessory arm in the slot,
causing the accessory arm to fall out or rotate under the weight of
the item being displayed. Additionally, these designs typically
have rails or slots that only accept accessory arms having a
specific plug-in configuration. This may limit the options
available as to the type of accessory arms that may be used on the
display panel.
[0007] It would therefore be desirable to have a display system
that permits reconfiguration of the layout design and is able to
work with different types of accessory arms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, a profile rail for a
merchandise display system used for supporting merchandise on at
least one display accessory arm extending from a display panel is
provided. The profile rail includes a top wall, a bottom wall and a
rear wall defining a chamber configured to receive an accessory
arm. The chamber has a channel extending therefrom between an upper
lip and lower lip. An upper wall extends between the top wall and
the upper lip and the lower lip extends from the bottom wall. The
profile rail further includes a lower bearing section located on
the bottom wall and a protrusion extending into the chamber
adjacent to the top and rear walls. The protrusion is spaced-apart
from the rear wall to form a receiving chamber therebetween, and
the protrusion includes a rear bearing surface directed toward the
receiving chamber. The profile rail further includes an upper
bearing surface on the upper wall directed toward the chamber.
[0009] In another aspect of the present invention, a merchandise
display system is provided. The merchandise display system includes
a base portion and an accessory arm releasably engageable with the
base portion. The base portion includes a top wall, a rear wall,
and a bottom wall forming a chamber therebetween, wherein the
bottom wall includes a lower bearing section. The base portion
further includes an upper wall extending between the top wall and
an upper lip, wherein the upper wall includes an upper bearing
surface. A lower lip extends from the bottom wall. The base portion
also includes a channel extending from the chamber, wherein the
channel is surrounded by the upper and lower lips. A protrusion is
positioned between the top wall and the rear wall and is
spaced-apart from both, wherein the protrusion extends into the
chamber and forms a rear bearing surface.
[0010] These and other features and advantages of this invention
are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed
description of various exemplary embodiments of the systems and
methods according to this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The structure, operation, and advantages of the presently
disclosed embodiment of the invention will become apparent when
consideration of the following description taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a section view a merchandise display
system according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the merchandise
display system of FIG. 1 with the accessory arm removed for
clarity;
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a section view of the merchandise display
system of FIG. 1 with a different accessory arm;
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a section view of the merchandise display
system of FIG. 1 with a different accessory arm;
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the merchandise
display system;
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the merchandise
display system of FIG. 5;
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the merchandise
display system of FIG. 5;
[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates section view of the merchandise display
system of FIG. 1 with the accessory arm removed for clarity;
[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the merchandise
display system of FIG. 1 with the accessory arm and display wall
removed for clarity;
[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates section view of the merchandise display
system of FIG. 1 with the accessory arm removed for clarity;
[0022] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment
of the merchandise display system; and
[0023] FIG. 12 illustrates a sectional view of the merchandise
display system of FIG. 11.
[0024] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The invention will now be described in the following
detailed description with reference to the drawings, wherein
preferred embodiments are described in detail to enable practice of
the invention. Although the invention is described with reference
to these specific preferred embodiments, it will be understood that
the invention is not limited to these preferred embodiments. But to
the contrary, the invention includes numerous alternatives,
modifications and equivalents as will become apparent from
consideration of the following detailed description.
[0026] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a merchandise
display system, illustrated generally at 10, used for supporting
merchandise on a vertical display wall 11. The display system 10
includes a base portion 12 and an accessory arm 14 configured to
mate with the base portion 12 and extend from the display wall 11
on which merchandise may be displayed. In the illustrated
embodiment, the base portion 12 is in the form of a profile rail 16
operatively connected to the display wall 11 between a course of
upper panels 18 and a course of lower panels 20 of the display wall
11. The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown as
being oriented substantially horizontally, but it should be
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the profile
rail 16 can also be oriented substantially vertically or at any
other desired angle. The two panels 18, 20 and the profile rail 16
together form the display wall 11 having a front side 22 and a rear
side 24. The display wall 11 desirably is attached to a foundation
wall 26 opposed the rear side 24 of the display wall 11.
[0027] As best seen in FIG. 2, the profile rail 16 has an open
chamber 28 that extends along the longitudinal length of the
profile rail 16. The chamber 28 has a channel 30 extending
therefrom that is open in the direction of the front side 22 of the
display wall 11 between an upper lip 31 and a lower lip 32 of the
profile rail 16. The chamber 28 is defined above by a top wall 34,
below by a bottom wall 36, and a rear wall 38 is located opposite
the channel 30 as a rear boundary of the chamber 28. According to
the invention, the shape of the chamber 28 allows the profile rail
16 to receive accessory arms 14 having many different shapes. As
seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 and as will be discussed below, different
accessory arms 14 have mating portions that interact with various
portions of the chamber 28 in order to secure the accessory arm 14
in the profile rail 16 and permit merchandise to be supported
thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, the accessory arm 14 may be
inserted into the slot-like chamber 28 at any desired position
along the entire profile rail 16 and extend from the front side 22
of the display wall 11. However, one skilled in the art will
understand that the base portion 12 may be a shorter, fixed-length
profile rail 16A as shown in FIGS. 5-7, which is configured to mate
with a slot having a corresponding size at specified locations in
the display wall 11 without departing from the scope of the
invention. In this embodiment, a snap on frame 39 may be inserted
into the chamber 28 with a friction fit between the profile rail
16A and the display wall 11.
[0028] Turning now to FIG. 8, the channel 30 extends rearwardly
from between the upper lip 31 and lower lip 32 an toward the rear
wall 38 of the chamber 28. The lower lip 32 extends from the bottom
wall 36 away from the chamber 28. Near the channel 30, the bottom
wall 36 has a substantially planar portion and includes a lower
bearing surface 42. Within the lower bearing surface 42 is a
longitudinal duct 44 configured to receive an extruded
slip-preventing strip 46. The slip-preventing strip 46 projects out
of the longitudinal duct 44 and is formed of a pliable material
that grips the underside of the accessory arm 14 to aid in holding
the accessory arm 14 in engagement with the profile rail 16 and
prevent unintended withdrawal of the accessory arm 14 from the
chamber 28.
[0029] Near the junction of the rear wall 38 with the top wall 34
is a protrusion 50 extending into the chamber 28 and forming an
undercut 52. The protrusion 50 is spaced apart from the rear wall
38, thereby forming a receiving chamber 51 therebetween. The
undercut 52 includes a rear bearing surface 54. For purposes of
illustration, the lower bearing surface 42 and rear bearing surface
54 are used with one embodiment of accessory arm 14 that is a
cantilevered peg 14A as shown in FIG. 1 and explained below. The
accessory arm 14 and chamber 28 are desirably shaped such that
mating surfaces between these components are keyed and splined to
prevent rotation of the accessory arm 14 in the profile rail
16.
[0030] An upper wall 66 extends upwardly between the upper lip 31
and the top wall 34 and provides a portion of the boundary of the
chamber 28. The inner surface of the upper wall 66 directed
inwardly toward the chamber 28 defines an upper bearing surface 62.
The portion of the chamber 28 extending between the upper bearing
surface 62 and the protrusion 50 below the top wall 34 is an upper
void 60 within the chamber 28.
[0031] In the installed state, the upper and lower lips 31, 32
terminate generally flush with the front side 22 of the display
wall 11. It is advantageous to have the top and bottom lips 31, 32
project slightly beyond the front side 22 to serve as edge
protection.
[0032] The profile rail 16 further defines an upper cavity 80 and a
lower cavity 81 positioned adjacent to the chamber 28. The upper
cavity 80 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the portion of the
chamber 28 opposite the channel 30, as shown in FIGS. 8-9. The
lower cavity 81 extends downwardly and rearwardly from the portion
of the chamber 28 opposite the channel 30. The upper cavity 80 is
positioned between the top wall 34 and the rear wall 38, and the
lower cavity 81 is positioned between the rear wall 38 and the
bottom wall 36. The upper cavity 80 is defined by a portion of the
protrusion 50, the rear wall 36, top wall 34, and a first wall 72
extending upwardly from the top wall 34, a second wall 73 extending
upwardly from near the rear wall 38, and a third wall 74 extending
between the first and second walls 72, 73. The lower cavity 81 is
defined by a portion of the rear wall 38, the bottom wall 36, a
first wall 72 extending downwardly from the bottom wall 36, a
second wall 73 extending downwardly from the rear wall 38, and a
third wall 74 extending between the first and second walls 72,
73.
[0033] The profile rail 16 further includes an upper and a lower
panel support flange 82, 84 extend vertically beyond the
corresponding cavity 80, 81. The panel support flanges 82, 84 abut
the rear side 24 (FIG. 1) of the display panels 18, 20. Desirably,
the upper panel support flanges 82 is offset from the first wall 72
bounding the upper cavity 80 in a direction toward the front of the
profile rail 16 so as to form a pocket 87 adjacent the first wall
72 and the top wall 34. The lower panel support flange 84 extends
vertically downward from the first wall 72 bounding the lower
cavity 81. As best seen in FIG. 10, the pocket 87 is well suited to
receive a screw head 88 of a screw 90 used to attach the profile
rail 16 to the foundation wall 26. As shown in FIG. 10, the panel
support flanges 82, 84 have a notch line 92 serving as a marking,
for example, for providing screw holes in the profile rail 16.
[0034] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, extending upwardly from
the end of the top wall 34 opposite the upper cavity 80 is an upper
tongue extension 94. Similarly, extending downward from the end of
the bottom wall 36 opposite the lower cavity 81 is a lower tongue
extension 95. The tongue extensions 94, 95 are received in
corresponding grooves formed in the upper and lower panels 18, 20
to aid in joining the profile rail 16 and the panels 18, 20 to form
the display wall 11. The tongue extensions 94, 95 are tapered to
aid in the insertion of the tongue extensions 94, 95 into the
grooves in the panels 18, 20. In one embodiment, the tongue
extensions 94, 95 have grooves 98, 99 formed in outer edges 100,
101 therein, and the grooves 98, 99 are configured to receive a
decorative snap-on cover 102, as shown in FIG. 11. As shown in
FIGS. 11 and 12, the profile rail 16 may be installed on the
display wall 11 such that the upper and lower support flanges 82,
84 are positioned adjacent to the front side 22 of the display wall
11. In such a use, the snap-on cover 102 may be attached to the
profile rail 16 by snapping the protrusions 103 on the cover 102
into the grooves 98, 99. Desirably, the outer edges 100, 101 are
undercut to form a lip 104 to promote a snap-tight fit.
[0035] For purposes of illustration, in the embodiment illustrated
in FIG. 1, the accessory arm 14 has a cantilevered peg 14A having a
tongue 110 extending from its base end 112 that fits into the
channel 30 of the profile rail 16. As a connection to the peg 14A,
the tongue 110 has a preferably rectangular stem 116 and an
upwardly oriented hook 118. On the underside, the stem 116 has a
tapered portion in the direction of the hook 118. When the tongue
110 is inserted into the channel 30, it first has to be inclined,
which is achieved by the accessory arm 14 being raised at its
distal end 120. In this way, the tongue 110, with the hook 118, can
be pushed into the channel 30 and under the protrusion 50. With the
hook 118 located beneath the undercut 52, the distal end 120 is
lowered and the hook 118 moves into the undercut 52. At the same
time, the stem 116 has its top side extending beneath the rear
bearing surface 53 on the protrusion 50 and has its underside
supported on the lower bearing surface 42 of the bottom wall 36. In
this case, the underside of the stem 116 exerts pressure on the
slip-preventing strip 46. It also can be appreciated that the
accessory arm 14 may be quickly and easily removed from the display
wall 11 simply by angling the accessory arm 14 to remove it from
the profile rail 16 without the need for tools or access to the
back face of the wall 11. The operation of disengaging the
accessory arm 14 proceeds in reverse order and begins with it being
raised at the distal end 120, which causes the hook 118 to move out
of the undercut 52.
[0036] In an additional embodiment of an accessory arm 14 shown in
FIG. 3, it is also possible for a shelf accessory 14B to be
inserted into the channel 30 by way of its rear surface 130. The
accessory arm 14 includes a top surface 141 and a bottom surface
142. The rear surface 130 of the shelf accessory 14C should then be
pushed in until it strikes against the rear wall 38, the undercut
52 remaining unoccupied. When in the installed position, the top
surface 141 contacts the protrusions 150, the bottom surface
contacts the slip-preventing strip 46, and the rear surface 130
contacts the rear wall 38 of the profile rail to provide releasable
engagement between the accessory arm 14B and the profile rail
16.
[0037] In yet an additional embodiment of an accessory arm 14 shown
in FIG. 4, it is also possible for an accessory arm 14C to have a
bracket 140 extending from its base end 142 that fits into the
chamber 28 and extends into the upper void 60 of the profile rail
16. When the bracket 140 is plugged into the chamber 28, it also
has to be inclined in the forward direction so the bracket can be
inserted through the channel 30. With the bracket 140 behind the
upper wall 66, the distal end 120 is lowered and the bracket 140
moves into the upper void 60. The bracket 140 contacts the upper
bearing surface 62 of the upper wall 66.
[0038] The illustrated accessory arm 14 is a simple peg on which
merchandise may be displayed. However, with the present invention,
it is to be appreciated that the display system 10 may be easily
reconfigured with several different types of accessory arms 14. For
example, the illustrated peg type accessory arm 14 may be replaced
with an accessory arm comprising a small shelf or table frame or
with any desired shape of accessory arm depending on the type of
merchandise to be displayed. In order to switch the type of
accessory arm 14 being used in the system 10, one must only remove
the current accessory arm 14 from the profile rail 16 and replace
it with a different accessory arm.
[0039] While this invention has been described in conjunction with
the specific embodiments described above, it is evident that many
alternatives, combinations, modifications and variations are
apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred
embodiments of this invention, as set forth above are intended to
be illustrative only, and not in a limiting sense. Various changes
can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this
invention.
* * * * *