U.S. patent number RE47,953 [Application Number 15/871,534] was granted by the patent office on 2020-04-21 for point of sale display.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Handy & Harman. The grantee listed for this patent is Handy & Harman. Invention is credited to Anthony DiSanto, Nicole A. Long, Peter J. Shadwell.
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United States Patent |
RE47,953 |
Shadwell , et al. |
April 21, 2020 |
Point of sale display
Abstract
A point-of-sale display unit for engagement with a cantilevered
support member has at least one shelf and a base member. The base
member defines a track configured to receive a portion of the
cantilevered support member. The unit engages with the cantilevered
beam through a sliding arrangement and is rigidly maintained
thereon through a combination of various mechanical forces in a
position without obstructing access to the primary load held and
displayed by the cantilevered system.
Inventors: |
Shadwell; Peter J. (Longmeadow,
MA), DiSanto; Anthony (Holyoke, MA), Long; Nicole A.
(Northampton, MA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Handy & Harman |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Handy & Harman (White
Plains, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
1000004363109 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/871,534 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
61764175 |
Feb 13, 2013 |
|
|
|
|
61782624 |
Mar 14, 2013 |
|
|
|
Reissue of: |
14178816 |
Feb 12, 2014 |
9265363 |
Feb 23, 2016 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F
5/0838 (20130101); A47F 5/0838 (20130101); A47F
5/01 (20130101); A47F 5/01 (20130101); A47F
5/00 (20130101); A47F 5/00 (20130101); A47F
2005/0012 (20130101); A47F 2005/0012 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47F
5/00 (20060101); A47F 5/08 (20060101); A47F
5/01 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Engle; Patricia L
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Alix, Yale & Ristas, LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/764,175, filed on Feb. 13, 2013 and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/782,624, filed on Mar. 14, 2013, the
entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A wire display unit for engagement with a cantilevered I-beam
having a longitudinal web extending between and spacing a lateral
upper flange and substantially parallel lower flange, comprising:
an elongate base extending from a front end to a rear end and
having an upper portion spaced from a lower portion defining a
track therebetween, the upper portion defining an elongate open
upper slot extending the entirety of the track; at least one
elongate shelf for storing objects, the at least one shelf
extending from an open front end to a rear end, the at least one
shelf being rigidly secured to the base; and a pair of laterally
spaced upper shoulders positioned rear of the base and
longitudinally offset from the track, the space between the
respective lateral shoulders defining a rear longitudinal slot
being substantially laterally aligned with the base slot, wherein
the display unit is attachable to the cantilevered I-beam by
sliding the display unit in the rearward direction with the lower
flange of the I-beam being inserted within the track and the web of
the I-beam extending through the base upper slot and rear
longitudinal slot with the upper shoulders abutting the upper
flange, and wherein the web has a lateral width and the rear slot
is narrower than the web width when the rear shoulders are in a
relaxed state, and the rear shoulders are outwardly flexible to an
expanded position for accommodating the web during installation to
securely attach the display unit to the I-beam.
2. The display unit of claim 1, wherein the spaced shoulders pinch
the web when returned to the relaxed position from the expanded
position with the web positioned in the rear slot.
3. The display unit of claim 1, wherein the base is positioned
between two opposed shelves.
4. The display unit of claim 1, wherein the base terminates at its
rear end which is forward of the rear end of the at least one
shelf.
5. The display unit of claim 1, wherein the base comprises two
substantially parallel laterally spaced U-shaped members.
6. The display unit of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one
shelf extends rearward substantially parallel to the base.
7. The display unit of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one
shelf comprises a bias member positioned rear of the front open
front for providing bias in the frontward direction.
8. The display unit of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a pair
of parallel laterally spaced wire members with U-shaped lateral
profiles, the space between the wire members defining the upper
slot and a substantially parallel lower slot.
9. The display unit of claim 8, wherein each wire member has a
front portion that transitions laterally toward the other wire
member, thereby laterally narrowing the upper slot and lower slot
toward the base front end.
10. The display unit of claim 9, wherein the narrowed front portion
of the upper slot is sized and shaped to receive the web when
installed on the cantilevered beam.
11. The display unit of claim 9, comprising a pair of parallel
shelves laterally spaced from each other with the base positioned
substantially parallel therebetween in rigid attachment to both
shelves.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a product display. More particularly, the
invention relates to a retail point-of-sale product display for use
with cantilevered support members, such as for example,
I-beams.
BACKGROUND
Retail stores, such as hardware stores for example, utilize
cantilevered support members such as forward extending I-beams to
support and display certain materials and products on the sales
floor. For example, hardware stores often employ a series of rigid
I-beams that extend substantially parallel and coplanar for
supporting elongated materials such as lumber, deck boards and
sheathing products. Such an arrangement efficiently offers
customers with an appealing view of and facile access to the
displayed products. The products are accessed easily by sliding or
lifting off the distal (front) end of the cantilevered I-beam.
Most hardware stores discourage or even prohibit use of floor
standing retail displays positioned in front of cantilevered
display systems because they impede access to displayed lumber
products and can be dangerous in light of the somewhat heavy and
bulky nature of the displayed planks. As such, a common drawback to
the above-described cantilevered retail display system is that
products associated or for use with the displayed lumber products
(such as screws, nails, adhesives and insulating materials) cannot
be displayed in close proximity.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a point of sale display unit
engaged with a cantilevered beam system according to the
disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the display unit engaged with
the cantilevered beam system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the point of sale display unit of
FIG. 1,
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the disclosed
point of sale display unit;
FIG. 5 is a top elevation view of the display unit of FIG. 4;
FIGS. 6-8 depict representative operative steps of attachment and
use of the display unit of FIGS. 4 and 5 with a cantilevered beam
system;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the disclosed
point of sale display unit;
FIG. 10 is a bottom elevation view of the display unit of FIG. 14;
and
FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the display unit of FIG.
14.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIGS. 1-3 show a first embodiment of the disclosed point of sale
display unit 10 for use in conjunction with a cantilevered display
system (in the form of I-beams) identified as reference numeral 11.
As shown, the display unit 10 includes a pair of opposite mounting
brackets 12a and 12b (collectively referred to herein as reference
numeral 12) with a support shelf 14 extending therebetween. The
brackets 12 are typically formed of bent or stamped steel or
another suitable strong, durable and relatively rigid material. The
support shelf 14 of the depicted embodiment is formed of a metallic
wire, as is typically used in known retail and residential
shelving. Here, the shelf 14 is attached rigidly to one of the
mounting brackets 12b, via at least one gusset bracket. Other known
attachment fasteners can be substituted or a permanent attachment
may be achieved by welding or soldering. The other mounting bracket
12a is attached in a slidable arrangement relative to the shelf 14
and bracket 12b to accommodate various distances between adjacent
cantilevered I-beams. As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, a tab 13 is
incorporated into the stationary elongated support unit behind the
shelf 14 and deflects into the sliding element attached to the
sliding bracket 12a to prevent the sliding bracket 12a from being
slid completely out of the assembly.
As shown, the display unit 10 is sized and shaped to extend between
adjacent I-beams with the brackets 12 bent or otherwise formed to
tightly mate with and lie flat on the contour of the upper I-beam
surface. The upper base portion 16 of the bracket is sized to fit
securely along the upper I-beam surface with the side wings 18
extending over the edge of the upper I-beam surface. The depicted
embodiment includes side wings 18 that are bent at approximately
90.degree. relative to the flat upper base 16. However, preferred
embodiments exist wherein the side wings 18 are bent acutely inward
in a configuration for tightly mating with the outer contour of the
upper portion of the I-beam, thereby minimizing undesirable
movement of the unit 10 after engagement with the I-beam. In this
embodiment, a "track" is defined between the base 16 and wings 18
which corresponds to the I-beam shape, thereby increasing rigidity
when attached. The display unit 10 is supported exclusively by the
cantilevered I-beams 11 that are already in place for holding the
planks 20.
When engaged with the cantilevered I-beam display system as
depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the disclosed display unit 10 converts
empty, previously unusable space between adjacent I-beams (under
the planks 20) into a display shelf for smaller complimentary
items. Because the display unit 10 hangs below the plane within
which the planks 20 lie and does not extend beyond the distal ends
of the adjacent I-beams 11, there is no obstruction to the
displayed planks.
The depicted unit 10 can be specially designed for use with
different cantilevered display systems. Properties of the unit can
be altered, such as for example length, depth, shelf configuration,
and size and shape of end brackets.
With reference to FIGS. 4-8, another embodiment of display unit 100
for use with a cantilevered display system is disclosed. This
embodiment is configured for engagement with the lower flange of a
cantilevered I-beam, rather than being supported on the upper
flange. Also, this embodiment may be attached to a single I-beam
rather than extending between two adjacent I-beams like the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3. The display unit 100 comprises an
elongate support member 102 secured to a left shelf 106a and a
right shelf 106b (collectively referred to herein as reference
numeral 106). The respective shelves may be joined to each other
can be attached as a single frame unit or two separately secured
pieces. Of course the depicted size and shape of the shelves is
non-limiting.
As shown, the support member 102 is formed of an elongate steel
plate bent acutely inward to form a sheath with a generally flat
base 108 and two opposing inwardly extending wings 110. The base
108 and wings 110 define an inner track 112 extending rear-ward
(proximal) and having a parallel upper slot 114 defined between the
respective edges of the wings 110.
As depicted in FIGS. 6-8, the display unit 100 can optionally
include a front plate 116 positioned at the distal end of the
support member 102. The plate 116 serves as a stop for the front
edge of the I-beam and may additionally be designed for improved
aesthetics of the system or labeling.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the display unit of FIG. 4, showing the
generally central base 108 secured to the respective shelves 106a
and 106b. As can be seen, each wing 110 extends inward and
terminates at a position laterally spaced from the opposite wing,
defining the upper slot 114 therebetween.
FIGS. 6 and 7 depict a representative sliding engagement of the
display unit 100 of FIG. 8 with a single cantilevered I-beam 11. As
shown, the unit 100 is secured to the I-beam 11 by sliding
engagement of the I-beam lower flange 13 with the base track 112.
The I-beam web 15 extends through the base slot 114 during
installation and use. With reference to FIG. 12, the front plate
116 acts as a barrier or stopper at the distal end of the track 112
during installation, in addition to serving an aesthetic
function.
The size and shape of the track 112 and slot 114 correspond
generally to the outer profile of the I-beam lower flange 13 and
web 15, resulting in a strong and generally rigid slidable
engagement. The wings 110 may flex outward from the track 112 to
accommodate the lower flange 13 and web 15 during rearward sliding
installation, thereby strengthening the mechanical attachment
between the support member 102 and I-beam 11 and allowing
attachment to a variety of beam sizes, shapes and
configurations.
FIG. 8 depicts the display unit 100 attached to an I-beam 11 with
boxes 120 loaded onto the shelves 106a and 106b for retail display.
In practice, the shelves 106 hang below the planks (like those
depicted as reference numeral 20) supported on the upper flange of
the I-beam 11, as can be seen. The display unit 100 utilizes
previously lost space below the planks without obstructing access
to or view of the planks whatsoever. Additionally, since the upper
flange is not involved in the attachment, potential contact with
planks being removed from the cantilevered system is
eliminated.
As with the previous embodiment, the exact properties of the
display unit 100 can be altered to accommodate different sizes or
shapes of cantilevered I-beams as well as different retail items to
be displayed.
Embodiments exist as hybrids of the FIGS. 1-3 embodiment and the
FIGS. 4-8 embodiment. For example, a display unit with a shelf
extending between two brackets of the general type to slidingly
attach to the lower flange of an I-beam. Support members like that
depicted as referenced numeral 102 in FIGS. 4-8 are attached at
opposite lateral ends of the shelf. The unit is attached to the
lower flanges of two spaced I-beams via sliding engagement of each
support member in the proximal direction.
FIG. 9 shows an additional embodiment of the point of sale display
unit 200. As depicted, the display unit 200 has two opposite side
shelves, 206a and 206b (collectively referred to herein as
reference numeral 206). Like the previous embodiments, the shelves
206 comprise wire frame. Crossbars 220 extending between and
secured to both shelves, 206a and 206b, at their bottom ends may be
included to improve stability and rigidity of the display unit 200.
Rather than a support member comprising a base formed from a bent
steel sheet like that depicted in FIGS. 4-8, this embodiment of
display unit 200 includes a base unit 202 comprising bent wire. The
base 202 extends rearward from a front end substantially parallel
to and is positioned approximately midway between the respective
shelves, 206a and 206b.
The base 202 comprises an upper portion with two opposed (left and
right) generally parallel and rearward extending rear upper
segments 204a and front upper segments 204b. As seen in FIG. 11,
the upper segments each define an inwardly laterally extending
shoulder 207 which transitions the respective rear segment 204a to
the respective front segment 204b. Each of the front segments 204b
transitions via a respective front bend 208 to a similarly sized
and shaped lower front segment 205b in the lower base portion. The
lower base portion is like in shape, size and configuration to the
upper base portion, including parallel rear segments 205a and
inwardly laterally extending shoulders 209 transitioning to
parallel front lower segments 205b. As depicted, the upper and
lower base portions are substantially identical in formation and
cooperate to form a generally U-shaped unit via a front bend
(discussed further below). However, this is not a requirement for
the disclosed display unit.
As depicted most clearly in the side view of FIG. 11, the base 202
comprises a pair of laterally spaced units with substantially
identical U-shaped lateral profiles. Each U-shaped unit comprises
an upper portion (including respective upper rear and front
segments 204a and 204b) which transitions to a respective
substantially parallel lower portion (including lower rear and
front segments 205a and 205b) via front bend 208. As described
above, and seen most clearly in the view of FIG. 10, each of the
upper and lower portions comprises a rear segment (204a and 205a)
that transitions laterally inward via a substantially perpendicular
shoulder (209) to a front segment (204b and 205b). Essentially,
each upper and lower portion collectively defines an S-shape
proximal/distal contour, while combining with the respective front
bends 208 to define a U-shaped lateral profile.
The base extends proximally (rearward) from its front/distal end
near the front end of the display unit 200 and defines a track 212
with a substantially parallel top slot 214. In the depicted
embodiment, the top slot 214 is defined by the lateral spacing
between the respective U-shaped units. Thus, the slot 214 narrows
toward its front end where the respective U-shaped units transition
laterally inward (i.e., the lateral spacing between the respective
front segments 204b and 205b). As shown, the lateral space between
the shelves 206 is also open at the top.
The display unit 200 also includes a rear shoulder 222 extending
laterally inward from each shelf 206 into the lateral space between
the shelves. Each shoulder 222 includes an upward dimple 224 and
defines a rear slot 226 therebetween. In a preferred embodiment,
the lateral width of the rear slot 226 is configured to be narrower
than the lateral width of a typical I-beam web (15) when the
display unit 200 is in its rest state, not engaged with an I-beam.
The respective shoulders 222 may actually lightly abut each other
in the rest state, and be separable when expended outwardly.
The display unit 200 is secured to the I-beam 11 by sliding
engagement of the I-beam lower flange 13 within the base track 212.
The I-beam web 15 extends through the base upper slot 214 during
installation. The respective shelves 206a and 206b, and thus
shoulders 222, can flex slightly outward with application of a
moderate outward force, thereby laterally expanding the rear slot
226 for receipt of the I-beam web 15. The web 15 is thereafter
pinched between the rear shoulders 222 when the outward force is
released and the shoulders 222 contract inward. Toward the front
end of the display unit 200, the I-beam web 15 is positioned
between the narrow front slot portion between the respective upper
front base segments 204b in the final attached position. The
configuration of the narrow front slot portion of the base 202
assists in laterally maintaining the web 15 relative to the display
unit 200, thus providing improved rigidity to the unit when
attached.
The upper dimples 224 are configured at a height relative to the
upper base segments (204a and 204b) such that when engaged with an
I-beam, the lower I-beam flange inner surface 13b rests on the
upper base portion while dimples 224 abut the upper flange inner
surface 17b. The resulting front-to-rear wedge-like effect with the
upper and lower I-beam flanges (13 and 17), in combination with
pinching of the I-beam web 15 between the rear shoulders 222
provides a tight, rigid, strong and stable attachment to the
cantilevered I-beam 11.
In this embodiment, the front bend or apex 208 in the respective
U-shaped units of the base 202 define a barrier or stop at the
front end of the track 212 during installation. The front bend 208
also defines a lateral thru-hole 228. Once the display unit 200 is
engaged with the I-beam 11 using the "wedging" and "pinching"
action as described above, a bolt or similar securing member may be
positioned extending through the lateral thru-hole 228 and an
appropriately positioned hole in the I-beam web 15 (not depicted)
and tightened with a nut. As also depicted, the shelves 206 may
include an open side slot 230 extending longitudinally across or
partially across its length to allow manual advancement of packages
positioned in the shelves. While not depicted, the shelves can also
include a forward bias element, such as a rear spring charge, to
provide a forward bias to automatically advance packages
forward.
Similar to the previous embodiments, the display unit 200 can
include a front plate 216 for product labeling and aesthetic
purposes. The size and shape of the base track 212 and slot 214,
rear shelves 222 (and rear slot 226) may be adapted to cooperate
and affect the described wedging and pinching interaction with the
outer profile of I-beams of different sizes. While the depicted and
described embodiment of the display unit 200 primarily comprises
metal wire, such as steel, this is not a limiting characteristic.
Other materials may be employed in a display unit that engages with
an I-beam with the described wedging and/or pinching action.
Additionally, other configurations and shapes of the base and rear
shoulders may be employed, such as an embodiment with a polymer
molded base with an operatively designed upper slot for receipt of
the I-beam web.
Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 4-8, in use, the shelves 206
typically hang below the planks 20 that are supported on the upper
flange of the I-beam 11. These embodiments of the display unit 100
and 200 include no brackets or any other element above the outer
surface of the upper I-beam flange 17, and thus cause no
interference with removal or replacement of planks being displayed.
As these embodiments of the display unit 100 and 200 do not span
the entire distance between adjacent I-beams, mechanical devices
such as fork-lifts or ladder lifts may be employed for loading and
unloading of the displayed planks.
Yet another embodiment of the display unit exists with a hinge or
similar element to allow pivoting around a central axis A extending
in the front-to-rear rear direction. Some retail cantilevered
display assemblies include a plate or similar barrier obstructing
the front of the I-shaped beam. Such a barrier provides a potential
obstacle to sliding attachment of the base 202 and its track 212 of
the display unit 200. This embodiment is configured to allow
outward relative pivoting about the axis A (see FIGS. 10 and 11)
such that the display unit can be fit around the front plate on the
I-shaped beam, and then closed or "clamped" around the lower flange
with web extending through the top slot in the base, in an attached
configuration substantially the same as that of the display unit
200.
While a preferred embodiment has been set forth for purposes of
illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed a
limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various
modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the
invention and scope of the claimed coverage.
* * * * *