U.S. patent number 3,918,668 [Application Number 05/355,358] was granted by the patent office on 1975-11-11 for cantilever-type display units.
This patent grant is currently assigned to A. H. Robins Company, Incorporated. Invention is credited to Richard M. Thorpe.
United States Patent |
3,918,668 |
Thorpe |
November 11, 1975 |
Cantilever-type display units
Abstract
Novel display units comprising base and movable support attached
thereto are disclosed. The base unit has an adhesive means for
attachment to horizontal shelves. The display units are prepared by
injection molding using high impact polystyrene.
Inventors: |
Thorpe; Richard M. (Ashland,
VA) |
Assignee: |
A. H. Robins Company,
Incorporated (Richmond, VA)
|
Family
ID: |
23397160 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/355,358 |
Filed: |
April 27, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/205.3;
211/59.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F
5/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47F
5/08 (20060101); A47F 003/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;248/25R,25A,309,310,311
;211/86,87,88,96,59 ;40/125A |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Foss; J. Franklin
Claims
Having thus described the invention by means of several
illustrative structural examples thereof and by means of a
preferred method for manufacturing the same, modifications and
changes wherein will become apparent to those skilled in the art,
what is claimed as novel and sought to be protected by United
States Letters Patent is:
1. A display unit consisting of a base member and a movable support
member adapted to extend from said base member for supporting
objects, said base member having an attachment surface adapted to
engage a horizontal support surface and an adjacent vertical
surface integral therewith adapted to simultaneously engage a
vertical support surface with said base member having a portion
vertically offset above attachment surface to provide space to
permit attachment of said base member to a support surface having a
raised lip at the leading edge, adhesive means for securing said
base to said horizontal support surface and means located on said
vertical surface for pivotally connecting said base member and
movable support member together whereby said movable support member
is adapted to swing about said pivot means in a substantially
coplanar relationship with said horizontal surface.
2. A display unit consisting of a base member and a display support
arm member which unit is adapted to conform to a shelf or like
fixed structure having horizontal and vertical surfaces
intersecting on a corner, said display support member having an
integral reinforcing element extending lengthwise of said member,
said base member having adjacent horizontal and vertical surface
portions adapted respectively to engage the corresponding surface
of said fixed structure, wherein said horizontal surface of said
base member is relieved to permit attachment of said base to fixed
structure having a bead at said corner, a pressure sensitive tape
for securing together said horizontal engaging surfaces and means
on said base member for pivotally supporting arm member in a
substantially coplanar relationship with said horizontal surface.
Description
The present invention relates to novel display units comprising a
base and a movable support attached thereto for use on horizontal
shelves and is more particularly concerned with display units
comprising a base member and one or more movable support members
which are readily attachable to the base.
There are various types of display units for attachment to gondola
or wall shelves known to the art generally as "J" hooks, but having
several disadvantages, however. For example, most are constructed
to fit only one type of shelf, display only one type of product or
fit a limited number of product packaging designs, usually being
rigid single body construction and, therefore, inflexible and
incapable of adaptation to different shelve constructions or other
display conditions. In addition, all known display "J" hooks are
made of metal and are, therefore, somewhat expensive and are
difficult to attach to shelves, and being metal and rigid,
frequently present a potential hazard to customers walking
nearby.
The display units of the present invention overcome the
disadvantages of the hooks presently available and described above
by providing elements constructed for inexpensively molded plastic
and comprising a base member adapted to be conveniently fixed to
the top surface of a shelf and having a movable support member
extending outwardly from the shelf, which can swing out of the way
when accidentally contacted. In its preferred form, the base member
requires no clamps or price rails for attachment, and it can be
attached to the top surface of a straight shelf or a shelf having a
raised lip at its leading edge. The display units of the present
invention with their support and base member allows normal stocking
of the shelf to which it is affixed, while also permitting the
support arms or members to pivot horizontally up to about 180
degrees in relation to the leading edge of the shelf to which they
are attached, thereby minimizing the risk of personal injury and
damage to the movable support members if accidentally forcefully
contacted.
The primary object of the invention is to provide a novel display
unit having a base member and one or more movable support members,
novel means for attaching the same together and novel means for
attaching the display unit to the top surface of a shelf. Another
object is to provide a base member having a raised portion from the
horizontal to provide an adequate area so that said member can be
attached in a horizontal manner to shelves that have a raised lip
at the leading edge.
Another object of the present invention is to provide novel display
units which can be inexpensively molded, using high impact
polystyrene, for example, by injection moulding for use on
horizontal shelving and which can be attached to the top surface of
a shelf by an inexpensive satisfactory adhesive means such as that
provided by a pressure sensitive tape.
A still further object is to provide novel display units which can
be readily attached to a shelf and yet are strong enough to support
a plurality of display articles.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent to one skilled in the art from the appended claims and
following description of the best mode of carrying out the
invention, and various examples thereof, made in connection with
the drawings wherein;
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred base member of the
display unit embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the novel display units
comprising the preferred base member and one of the movable
members;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2 illustrating the pivotable
relationship of the movable member;
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view in section taken along line 4--4 of
FIG. 3, showing the relationship of the preferred base member
attached to the top surface of a shelf, and of a portion of a
movable support member attached thereto;
FIGS. 5, 7 and 9 are perspective views of various novel display
units comprising modifications of the invention; and
FIGS. 6, 8 and 10 are plan views of FIGS. 5, 7 and 9 illustrating
the pivotable relationship of the movable members.
Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to the preferred
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the base member 20 is essentially of a
rectangular shape body 22 having a top surface 24 and a bottom
surface 26. Attached to bottom surface 26 is an adhesive strip 18.
The latter has double contact adhesive surfaces, one of which is
attached to bottom surface 26 while the other is covered by a
protective covering plastic film until used to secure the base
member to a shelf as shown in the drawing. The base is preferably
provided with a raised portion 30 which can be of any suitable
configuration to provide clearance for attachment to a shelf having
a raised lip at the leading edge. The forward wall 32 of adjacent
to and down below body 22 and is adapted to supportingly abut
against the leading edge of a shelf to which it is attached as
shown below in FIG. 4. The angular configuration of the base as a
whole with adhesive contact and abutment of the forward wall
against the forward edge of the shelf, resist turning movement
produced by a load applied to the unit.
Integrally attached to the base is boss 34 having a socket 36 which
can receive a pivot pin of the movable support member. This
convenient pivotal connection alone is sufficient to carry any
normal load without distorting the base or support member and, in
addition, the attachment of the movable support member to the base
member allows in this manner the former to describe up to about a
180 degree arc as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, 8 and 10. Other pivotal
connections between the base and support member are contemplated
although the foregoing has been found most economical and efficient
in operation. In addition, it is further contemplated that for some
applications of the invention the connection need not be pivotal
where, for example, the support arm is not intended to be utilized
in such a manner as to extend into or be near customer walking
lanes in stores. In fact, in such cases the arm and base may be
connected by any rigid means or be formed integrally.
FIG. 2 of the drawing shows the preferred type of movable support
member which can be attached to the base member. The movable
rectangular support member 10 has a rigidifying rib 12 located
centrally in said member and extending above and below the plane
thereof, said rib terminating at 14 near the inclined terminal lip
16 of said member and at 8 near the interior end 6 of said member.
The member has at end 6 a cylindrically shaped pivot pin 4
integrally attached vertically to the member so that said member
when attached to the base member 20 is substantially coplanar with
the shelf 48.
FIG. 4 of the drawing shows the attachment of the base member 20 to
the top 49 of a shelf 48. A portion of the movable support member
10 is shown attached to said member by engagement of the
cylindrically shaped pivot pin 4 of the member 10 in the cylinder
36. The area 52 between the top 49 of the shelf 48 and the raised
portion 30 of the base 20 provides for the leading edge of a shelf
which has a raised lip.
FIG. 5 of the drawing is a perspective view of a novel display unit
comprising the base member 20 and a movable support member 60, said
movable member being cylindrically shaped and having an inclined
tip 62.
FIG. 7 of the drawing is a perspective view of a novel display unit
comprising the base member 20 and a movable support member 70, said
movable member being cylindrically shaped and having an inclined
tip 72. The movable support member 70 is molded as shown in FIG. 7
in the form of a short J-type hook.
FIG. 9 of the drawing is a perspective view of a novel display unit
comprising the base member 20 and a rotating drum type movable
support member 80. The member 80 has recessed areas 82 in relation
to the exterior surface 84 of the drum in which items can be
displayed. The movable support member is attached to base member 20
by arm 86, said arm having a connecting means 88 to allow the drum
to rotate freely.
* * * * *