U.S. patent application number 13/836330 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-09 for shelf-type display fixture.
This patent application is currently assigned to Target Brands, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is TARGET BRANDS, INC.. Invention is credited to Jason W. Johnson, Jeffrey A. Jones, Peter H. Rozes, Erin L. Zobel.
Application Number | 20140007403 13/836330 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49152169 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140007403 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Jason W. ; et
al. |
January 9, 2014 |
SHELF-TYPE DISPLAY FIXTURE
Abstract
A display fixture for displaying an object, such as bound media,
includes a base having a shelf engaging portion that mounts to an
underside of a shelf, a brush support portion and a brush having an
elongated spine. The elongated spine is received by the brush
support portion and a plurality of flexible bristles that depend
downwardly from the elongated spine. The distal ends of the
plurality of flexible bristles are free from contacting the base,
and when not engaged with the object, the flexible bristles are
oriented substantially normal to the shelf.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Jason W.; (Wayzata,
MN) ; Zobel; Erin L.; (Minneapolis, MN) ;
Rozes; Peter H.; (Southlake, TX) ; Jones; Jeffrey
A.; (Southlake, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TARGET BRANDS, INC. |
Minneapolis |
MN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Target Brands, Inc.
Minneapolis
MN
|
Family ID: |
49152169 |
Appl. No.: |
13/836330 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13542859 |
Jul 6, 2012 |
|
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13836330 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
29/428 ;
248/110 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/00 20130101; A47B
63/00 20130101; A47F 5/0043 20130101; A47B 65/00 20130101; A47B
97/00 20130101; Y10T 29/49826 20150115; A47F 5/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
29/428 ;
248/110 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/00 20060101
A47F005/00 |
Claims
1. A display fixture for displaying an object comprising: a base
having a shelf engaging portion that mounts to an underside of a
shelf and a brush support portion; and a brush having an elongated
spine that is received by the brush support portion and a plurality
of flexible bristles that depend downwardly from the spine, wherein
the plurality of flexible bristles include distal ends that are
free from contacting the base; and wherein when the flexible
bristles are not engaged with the object the flexible bristles are
oriented substantially normal to the shelf.
2. The display fixture of claim 1, wherein the base further
comprises a downward depending portion that connects the shelf
engaging portion with the brush support portion, the downward
depending portion being substantially normal to the shelf engaging
portion.
3. The display fixture of claim 2, wherein the brush support
portion comprises a channel including an upper wall, a front wall,
a rear wall that is in alignment with and connected to the downward
depending portion of the base and a lower wall, the lower wall
having an opening that extends along a length of the channel.
4. The display fixture of claim 3, wherein the opening in the
bottom wall further comprises a dimension that is less than a
dimension of the bottom wall.
5. The display fixture of claim 3, wherein the elongated spine of
the brush is received by the channel and the bristles of the brush
depend downwardly from the elongated spine through the opening in
the bottom wall of the channel.
6. The display fixture of claim 1, wherein the shelf engaging
portion comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners
for mounting the shelf engaging portion to the underside of the
shelf and engaging with apertures in the shelf.
7. A display fixture comprising: a mount comprising: a
substantially horizontal section that couples to an underside of a
shelf and at least a portion of the horizontal section includes a
length; a channel having the same length as the length of a portion
of the horizontal section and including a bottom wall, the bottom
wall having an opening that extends along the length of the channel
and includes a dimension that is less than a dimension of the top
wall; and a tool having a base that is received by the channel and
a plurality of filaments that depend from the base through the
opening in the channel in a substantially vertical direction.
8. The display fixture of claim 7, wherein the plurality of
filaments comprise distal ends that are free from contacting the
mount.
9. The display fixture of claim 7, wherein the plurality of
filaments are configured to engage with product and wherein a
portion of the plurality of filaments are oriented substantially
normal to the shelf when not engaged with product.
10. The display fixture of claim 7, wherein the mount further
comprises a substantially vertical section that connects the
substantially horizontal section with the channel, the
substantially vertical section being substantially normal to the
substantially horizontal section.
11. The display fixture of claim 7, wherein the substantially
horizontal section comprises at least two ribs that are spaced
apart from each other and run lengths of the substantially
horizontal section, the at least two ribs providing the horizontal
section with added strength.
12. The display fixture of claim 11, wherein the ribs form a
concave depression along a top surface of the horizontal section
and form a convex bump along a bottom surface of the horizontal
section.
13. The display fixture of 7, wherein the substantially horizontal
section comprises a first length extending along a front of the
substantially horizontal section and a second length extending
along a back of the substantially horizontal section that is
substantially similar to the length of the channel, the first
length being less than the second length.
14. A method comprising: providing a display fixture that includes
a brush having an elongated spine that is slid into a brush support
portion of a base, the brush including a plurality of flexible
bristles that depend downwardly from the elongated spine and
terminate at distal ends; mounting a shelf engaging portion of the
base to an underside of a first shelf; and placing at least one
object on a second shelf located directly below the first shelf by
engaging the distal ends of the plurality of flexible bristles with
a portion of the at least one object.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the display fixture
that includes the brush having the elongated spine that is slid
into the brush support portion of the base comprises providing the
display fixture with a channel for sliding the elongated spine
into, the channel including an opening in a bottom wall through
which the flexible bristles depend downwardly and the distal ends
of the flexible bristles are free from contacting the base.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein mounting the shelf engaging
portion of the base to the underside of the first shelf comprises
placing a top surface of the shelf engaging portion in contact with
the underside of the first shelf.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising aligning apertures
in the first shelf with apertures in the shelf engaging
portion.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising inserting fasteners
through the apertures in the first shelf and through the apertures
in the shelf engaging portion to fasten the shelf engaging portion
to the underside of the first shelf.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein placing the at least one object
on the second shelf comprises placing binders on the second
shelf.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein placing binders on the second
shelf comprising placing binders on the second shelf so that
bottoms of the binders are in contact with the second shelf and
tops of the binders are engaged with at least the distal ends of
the bristles.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/542,859, filed Jul. 6, 2013, the
content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In retail stores, merchandise is often displayed on shelves
that are supported by display units, such as gondola display units.
Exemplary merchandise displayed on shelves includes binders, books
and other individual products that are best displayed standing in
an upward direction for easy identification and orderly
presentation.
[0003] The discussion above is merely provided for general
background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in
determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
SUMMARY
[0004] A display fixture for displaying an object includes a base
having a shelf engaging portion that mounts to an underside of a
shelf, a brush support portion and a brush having an elongated
spine. The elongated spine is received by the brush support portion
and a plurality of flexible bristles that depend downwardly from
the elongated spine. Distal ends of the plurality of flexible
bristles are free from contacting the base, and when not engaged
with the object, the flexible bristles are oriented substantially
normal to the shelf.
[0005] A method includes providing the display fixture that
includes a brush having an elongated spine that is slid into a
brush support portion of a base. The brush includes a plurality of
flexible bristles that depend downwardly from the elongated spine.
A shelf engaging portion of the base is mounted to an underside of
a first shelf. At least one object is placed on a second shelf
located directly below the first shelf. A top of the at least one
object engages with distal ends of the plurality of flexible
bristles.
[0006] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of
the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not
limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages
noted in the background.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display fixture coupled to
an underside of a shelf according to one embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of a top of a display
fixture according to one embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a bottom of the
display fixture illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0010] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the display fixture
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of assembling the display
fixture illustrated in FIGS. 2-4.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a section view of the display fixture illustrated
in FIG. 2 taken through the line indicated in FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 7 is an exploded section view of the display fixture
illustrated in FIG. 2 taken through the line indicated in FIG.
4.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a back exploded view of a display fixture
according to another embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a section view of the mounting bracket illustrated
in FIG. 8.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a top view of the mounting bracket illustrated in
FIG. 8.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a front view of the mounting bracket illustrated
in FIG. 11.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a profile view of the display fixture in FIG. 8
as assembled.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a section view of the brush illustrated in FIG.
8.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a front view of the display fixture illustrated
in FIG. 2 coupled to an underside of a shelf and engaged with
objects or products for display.
[0021] FIG. 15A is a perspective view of mounting the display
fixture illustrated in FIG. 2 to an underside of a shelf of a
gondola display unit.
[0022] FIG. 15B is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of
FIG. 15A.
[0023] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of mounting the display
fixture illustrated in FIG. 2 to an underside of a shelf of the
gondola display unit illustrated in FIG. 15A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The display fixture described below aids in the display of
objects or products located on a shelf or shelves. Exemplary
objects or products include bound media, such as binders, books,
periodicals, cases and other mechanisms for amassing and housing
storage media. The display fixture includes a base that is mounted
to an underside of a shelf located above the shelf where objects or
products are placed. The base also includes a brush support
portion. A brush having an elongated spine is received by the brush
support portion and a plurality of flexible bristles depend
downwardly from the elongated spine. The flexible bristles engage
with or interfere with a top or an upper portion of the objects or
products to provide lateral, or side-to-side, support and to hold
the objects or products in an upward or substantially vertical
orientation. However, when select flexible bristles are not engaged
with objects or products, distal ends of those select flexible
bristles are oriented substantially normal to the shelf.
[0025] The brush enables the objects or products that are to be
displayed to be pushed through the flexible bristles to facilitate
insertion and removal of the objects or products from the shelf.
Tipping forces acting on the objects or products are controlled by
the resilience of the bristles. Since the bristles are generally
smaller and closer together than the pertinent dimensions of the
objects or products that are being displayed and the bristles are
disposed along a row placed laterally with respect to the shelf or
shelves, the brush results in an infinitely adaptable arrangement
to engage a wide variety of objects or products without the need
for adjustment. Since shelving systems or units are generally
adjustable along a vertical axis, the only adjustment that may be
needed is the vertical spacing between the shelf upon which the
objects or products are placed and the shelf located directly
above, which supports the base of the display fixture. Where the
vertical shelf spacing on a shelving system or unit is incremental,
such as one-inch adjustment steps, a length of the bristles can be
selected to ensure that there can always be interference with the
objects or products. For example, the bristles may have a length of
1.5 inches, or at least a length greater than the incremental step
of the shelving system, which in this example is one inch.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display fixture 10 coupled
to an underside of a shelf 20 according to one embodiment. While
FIG. 1 illustrates two floating shelves 20 and 22, where shelf 20
supports display fixture 10 and shelf 22 supports objects or
products 24, it should be realized that shelves 20 and 22 can be
connected to a free-standing gondola display unit as can be found
in a retail store or connected to a bookcase or other free-standing
furnishings that supports shelves in other environments. For
example, other environments, besides retail stores, that can
advantageously utilize display fixture 10 include public libraries,
home libraries, offices, museums and etc. As is often the problem
with bound media, when space on a shelf next to bound media is open
or empty, the bound media has the tendency to fall over on its side
because of its inability to support itself in an upright position
without the aid of the adjacent bound media or of a bookend. This
problem can occur frequently in any of the above environments
especially in retail stores where bound media is frequently taken
off the shelves for inspection or purchase. As illustrated in FIG.
1, display fixture 10 supports objects or products 24 in an upright
position even though there are empty spaces next to objects or
products 24.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a back, top perspective view of a display fixture
100 according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front, bottom
perspective view of display fixture 100. FIG. 4 is an exploded view
of display fixture 100. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of assembling
the display fixture illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. FIG. 6 is a section
view of display fixture 100 taken through the line indicated in
FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is an exploded section view of display fixture 100
taken through the line indicated in FIG. 4.
[0028] Display fixture 100 includes a base or mounting bracket 106
and a brush or tool 108. Base 106 is an extruded part made of, for
example, a polymer, such as polystyrene. However, base or mount 106
can be made of other types of material that can be extruded, such
as metal. In one embodiment, base 106 includes a shelf engaging
portion or horizontal section 110, a downward depending portion or
vertical section 112 and a brush support portion or channel 114.
Shelf engaging portion 110 is substantially planar except for a
plurality of ribs 120 and is connected to brush support portion or
channel 114 by downward depending portion 112. Downward depending
portion 112 is substantially planar and is substantially normal to
shelf engaging portion 110.
[0029] In one embodiment, brush 108 includes an elongated spine or
base 116 and a plurality of bristles or filaments 118. Elongated
spine or base 116 acts as the brush block that holds the plurality
of bristles or filaments 118 together. For example, elongated spine
116 can include a polymer that uses adhesives to secure the
bristles 118 together. Bristles or filaments 118 can be made of
natural or synthetic fibers. For example, bristles or filaments 118
can be made of nylon or polyester.
[0030] Shelf engaging portion 110 of base 106 is mountable to an
underside of a shelf, such as underside 25 (FIG. 1) of shelf 20 and
elongated spine 116 is receivable by brush support portion or
channel 114 by, for example, elongated spine 116 being inserted
into or slid into channel 114 from one of the ends of channel 114.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, channel 114 includes and is
defined by an upper wall 122, a front wall 124, a rear wall 126 and
a lower wall 128. Rear wall 126 is in alignment with and is
connected to downward depending portion 112, while front wall 124
is spaced forward from downward depending portion 112 by upper wall
122 and lower wall 128. Channel 114 includes an opening 130 in
lower wall 128 that extends along a length 132 (FIG. 3) of channel
114.
[0031] Lower wall 128 includes a depth or dimension 134. Dimension
134 is the distance from back edge of downward depending portion
112 to a front edge of front wall 124 of channel 114. Opening 130
includes a depth or dimension 136 that is less than dimension 134
of lower wall 128. As described above, elongated spine 116 is
received by channel 114. Therefore, bristles 118 of brush 108
depend downwardly from elongated spine 116 through opening 130 in
lower wall 128 of channel 114 and terminate at distal ends 119. In
this way, bristles 118 extend downwardly from base or mounting
bracket 106 to engage with portions of the objects or product that
display fixture 100 is to support in an upward or vertical
orientation. More specifically, distal ends 119 of bristles 118 are
free from contacting base or mounting bracket 106. When bristles
118 are not engaged with objects or products, bristles 118 are
oriented substantially normal to shelf 20 or shelf engaging portion
110. When engaged with objects or products, distal ends 119 of
bristles 118 still do not contact base or mounting bracket 106.
However, when engaged with objects or products, portions of
bristles 118 can be oriented in other directions besides being
oriented substantially normal to shelf 200 or shelf engaging
portion 110 as is illustrated by display fixture 10 in FIG. 1.
[0032] With reference back to base or mounting bracket 106 and as
previously described, shelf engaging portion or horizontal section
110 includes a plurality of ribs 120. In one embodiment and as
illustrated in FIGS. 2-7, shelf engaging portion or horizontal
section 110 includes two ribs 120. In other embodiments, shelf
engaging portion or horizontal section 110 can include any number
of ribs 120. Ribs 120 provide shelf engaging portion 110 with
structural rigidity and strength and minimum material thickness.
Although display fixture 100 does not support product loads,
display fixture 100 needs to have high structural rigidity to
withstand other types of forces, such as torsion. Ribs 120 are
spaced apart from each other and run a length of shelf engaging
portion 110.
[0033] In the embodiment in FIGS. 2-7 and specifically illustrated
in FIG. 2, shelf engaging portion 110 includes two lengths 138 and
140. The smaller length 138 is located at the front of display
fixture 100 and the larger length 140 is located at the back of
display fixture 100. In other words, shelf engaging portion 110
includes two cutouts on the front of shelf engaging portion 110.
The two cutouts are included in shelf engaging portion 110 so that
shelf engaging portion 110 does not block holes in the shelf at the
ends of the shelf. This way other hardware or fixturing can be
used, such as a wire divider, without shelf engaging portion 110
being in the way. In particular, length 140 is substantially the
same as length 132 of channel 114. One of the ribs 120 is located
within length 138 of shelf engaging portion 110 and the other of
the ribs 120 is located within length 140 of shelf engaging portion
110. In this way, the ribs 120 do not extend for the same length,
but extend the entire length of shelf engaging portion 110 whether
that length is length 138 or length 140. As illustrated in FIGS. 6
and 7, each rib 120 forms a concave depression relative to a top
surface 142 of shelf engaging portion 110 Likewise, each rib 120
forms a convex bump relative to a bottom surface 144 of shelf
engaging portion 110.
[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates mounting bracket 106 and brush 108 being
assembled together. In FIG. 5, the elongated brush 108 is inserted
into an extrusion channel in the mounting bracket 106. The two
units slide together to form an integrated brush assembly prior to
attaching to a shelving system.
[0035] Further and as illustrated in FIG. 6, shelf engaging portion
110 includes a depth 145. Together downward depending portion 112
and brush support portion 114 includes a height 147 and between
distal ends 119 of bristles 118 and a bottom of brush support
portion 114 includes a distance 149. In one embodiment, depth 145
of shelf engaging portion 110 is about 3.75 inches, height 147 of
downward depending portion 112 and brush support portion 114 is
approximately 1.44 inches and distance 149 between the bottom of
brush support portion 114 and distal ends 119 of bristles 118 is
about 1.25 inches. Therefore, the distance from the underside of a
shelf that shelf engaging portion 110 is mounted to distal ends 119
of bristles 118 must be great enough so that distal ends 119 of
bristles 118 are lower than a top edge of the objects or products
to which it is to engage. In one embodiment, this dimension is
about 2.69 inches given the recited dimensions of height 147 and
distance 149. However, this dimension can be other values as long
as the distal ends 119 of bristles 118 engage with a top end of
bound media.
[0036] Shelf engaging portion 110 also includes a plurality of
apertures 146 as illustrated in FIGS. 2-5. Each aperture 146 is
configured to receive a fastener for mounting shelf engaging
portion or horizontal section 110 to the underside of a shelf.
Performing the step of mounting will be described in detail
below.
[0037] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a display fixture 200
according to another embodiment. FIG. 9 is a section view of base
or mounting bracket 206 of display fixture 200. FIG. 10 is a top
view and FIG. 11 is a front view of mounting bracket 206 of display
fixture 200. FIG. 12 is a profile view of display fixture 200 and
FIG. 13 is a section view of brush 108. Display fixture 200
includes a mounting bracket 206 and a brush 208. The embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 8 shows that bracket 206 is elongated and has
plural mounting slots 246 used to attach it to a shelf.
[0038] With reference to FIG. 9, bracket 206 is a plastic
extrusion. It is generally a right-angled bracket having a
horizontal portion 210 and a vertical portion 212. Horizontal
portion 210 is attached to the underside of a shelf using a slot
246 in bracket 206. Slot 246 is located in a recessed portion 247
that provides clearance for fasteners. At the lower end of vertical
portion 212 is a brush channel 214 formed for receiving spine 216
of elongated brush 208 (illustrated in FIGS. 8, 12 and 13). The
length of bracket 206 is generally coextensive with the width of a
shelf to which bracket 206 is to be attached.
[0039] FIG. 10 provides a view of the horizontal portion 210 of the
bracket extrusion 206 showing the three mounting slots 246. The
brush mounting channel 214 is visible in phantom lines. FIG. 11
shows a front view of the vertical portion 212 of mounting bracket
206. This view also shows the location of the elongated brush
mounting channel 214 in phantom lines.
[0040] FIG. 12 is a profile view drawing of mounting bracket 206
and brush 208. In particular, FIG. 12 shows brush 208 engaged with
the brush mounting channel 214 formed into mounting bracket
extrusion 206.
[0041] FIG. 13 is a section view drawing of brush 208. The
elongated brush embodiment is fabricated using a row of nylon
bristles 218 that are wrapped about a wire spindle 274. Bristles
218 are held in place on spindle 274 using a formed spine 216 that
is crimped about spindle 274. In this illustrative embodiment,
spine 216 is formed from aluminum. However, other metal and
non-metal materials can be used. The length of bristles 218 is
selected to provide adequate engagement with objects or products to
be displayed in light of the incremental shelf spacing of the
shelving system to which it is applied.
[0042] FIG. 14 illustrates a front view of a portion of display
fixture 100 as mounted to an underside of a shelf 300 and engaged
with objects or products 304, such as bound media, which are being
supported by shelf 302. Objects or products 304 are placed on shelf
302 and slid toward the back of shelf 302. As bound media 304 are
being slid to the back, a portion or top of the objects or products
304 engage with bristles 118 of brush 108. This engagement causes
the bristles 118 in the area where the objects or products 304
contact the bristles to separate and fan on either side of the
portion of the bound media 304 that engages bristles 118. In this
way, while most bristles 118 remain depending downwardly and
oriented substantially normal to shelf 300, the bristles 118 that
engage with bound media 304 are oriented in directions that are
other than substantially normal to shelf 300.
[0043] FIG. 15A illustrates a perspective view of mounting display
fixture 100 to an underside 403 of a shelf 400 on a freestanding
shelf system or gondola display unit 401. FIG. 15B illustrates an
enlarged perspective view of a portion of FIG. 15A. More
specifically, FIG. 15B illustrates a front corner of freestanding
shelf system or gondola display unit 401. Gondola display unit 401
includes a back wall 450, a pair of uprights 451 and 452 that are
slotted, a base 453 with an integrated base deck 454 and a
plurality of shelves 456a, 456b, 456c and 456d placed at
incremental heights along the slotted uprights 451 and 452.
Although display fixture 100 can be mounted to the underside of any
or all of the plurality of shelves 456 of gondola display unit 401,
display fixture 100 is illustrated in FIG. 15A and 15B as being
mounted to underside 403 of upper shelf 456a on gondola display
unit 401.
[0044] Each shelf 456 and more specifically the upper shelf 456a
includes at least one row of a plurality of apertures or perforated
holes 458 that that are located across shelf 456a and formed
therethrough. Such perforations are common in retail, commercial
and industrial shelving systems. In addition, each shelf 456a,
456b, 456c and 456d includes a front edge that has a price label
channel 460. Price label channel 460 is configured to receive price
labels or price label strip holders for holding price labels. The
price labels are indicative of a price of the goods that are to be
placed on shelves 456. More specifically, the price labels are
indicative of a price of the objects or products to be displayed,
such as bound media 24 or 304, and are to be placed on shelves
456a, 456b, 456c and 456d.
[0045] Before stocking shelves 456a with objects or products,
display fixture 100 is mounted to the undersides of shelves 456 or
more specifically underside 403 of upper shelf 456a. To do this,
top surface 142 is placed in contact with underside 403 of upper
shelf 456a such that that brush 108 of display fixture 100 is
located towards the back wall 450 of gondola display unit 401.
Apertures 146 in shelf engaging portion 110 are aligned with select
apertures 458 in shelf 456a.
[0046] Fasteners 462 are inserted through select apertures or
perforated holes 458 in shelf 456a and through apertures 146 in
shelf engaging portion 110 to secure display fixture 100 to shelf
456a. Apertures 146 provide for a degree of adjustment in the
position of mounting bracket 106. In one embodiment and as
illustrated in FIG. 15B, fasteners 462 are screws having wing nuts.
The steps for mounting display fixture 100 as described in this
paragraph can be repeated for each shelf 456a, 456b, 456c and 456d
on gondola display unit 401 so that all shelves on gondola display
unit 401 except for upper shelf 456a can receive objects or
products that will stand in an upward orientation for display.
After all display fixtures 100 are mounted, the objects or products
can be placed on each shelf 456a, 456b, 456c and 456d. Upon placing
the objects or products, a portion of bristles will engage with the
tops of the objects or products to hold the objects or products in
an upward direction.
[0047] FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of mounting display
fixture or brush assembly 100 to an underside of shelf 456b on
freestanding shelf system or gondola display unit 401. Display
fixture or brush assembly 100 is fastened to the underside of upper
shelf 456b using threaded fasteners 462 that engage with holes 458
perforated through the shelf material. A display fixture or brush
assembly 100 is applied to each upper shelf 456a, 456b, 456c and
456d. As used herein, an "upper" shelf is one that has another
shelf below it, and a "lower" shelf is one that has another shelf
above it. Thusly, it can be appreciated that the shelves function
cooperatively, and that base deck 454 would never be an upper
shelf, and top shelf 456a would never be a lower shelf.
[0048] In FIG. 16, each of shelves 456a, 456b, 456c and 456d have a
display fixture or brush assembly 100 attached to its lower surface
or underside adjacent the front of the shelf. Exemplary objects or
products, such as 3-ring binders 404 rest on shelf 456d. Shelf 456c
has a brush 108 disposed below its lower surface, which acts to
engage the upper edge of each binder 404. As the binders 404 are
pushed onto shelf 456d, the upper edge of the sidewalls of the
binders spread the bristles of brush 208 apart to pass
therethrough. Once in place, bristles 118 resist the binders 404
from tipping side-to-side and maintain the binder 404 in a
substantially vertical orientation. Since brush 108 is disposed
across substantially the entire width of the shelves, binders 404
can be inserted at any location along the width of the shelf and
still benefit from the lateral support. In addition, it does not
matter what the width is of each object or product. In this
example, the binders 404 can be one-inch, two-inch, three-inch or a
mixture thereof and brush 108 would still function to support the
objects or products.
[0049] A method of displaying objects or products is described
below with reference to display fixture 100, however, the method
can also apply to display fixture 200. Display fixture 100 is
provided that includes brush 108 having elongated spine 116 that is
slid into brush support portion 114 of base 106. To slide elongated
spine 116 into brush support portion 114, the right side or the
left side of elongated spine 116 is inserted into either the right
side of the left side of brush support portion 114. More
specifically and as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 and 7-8, the ends of
brush support portion 114 are temporarily open. In this way,
elongated spine 116 can be inserted into and pulled through the
channel until the right side and the left side of the elongated
spine 116 are in alignment with the right side and the left side of
brush support portion 114.
[0050] Shelf engaging portion 110 of base 106 is mounted to an
underside of a shelf as described in detail above. The objects or
products, such as objects 204, 304 or 404, are placed on a second
shelf located directly below the first shelf by engaging distal
ends 119 of the plurality of flexible bristles 118 with a top of
the objects or products. In this way, each display fixture 100 that
is mounted to the underside of a select shelf is actually for use
with objects or products that are to be placed on the shelf
directly below the select shelf. In addition, placing objects or
products on a second shelf means that a bottom of the objects or
products is in contact with the second shelf and the top of the
objects or products is engaged with distal ends 119 of the bristles
118.
[0051] Although the subject matter has been described in language
specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is
to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended
claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts
described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described
above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the
claims.
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