Patent Application
20100200525
The present invention relates to an adjustable display device that allows the angular orientation of two components to be adjusted relative to each other. The present invention finds particular, though not exclusive, application in a retail display environment.
In retail stores, clothing and goods for sale are displayed on racks that have an arm that protrudes either from a wall or from a stand. Garments are typically hung from hangers, which are then suspended from the arms. The arms are either straight poles or are equipped with dividers to space out the hangers and garments to ensure all garments are visible.
Display racks, particularly those used for displaying clothing, are configured to a height so that the garments are suspended without the bottom of the garments touching the floor and generally so that the garments are displayed at eye level. The arms protrude substantially horizontally or at a set angle, so that all of the garments on the arm can be seen, including those at the rear.
When the types of garments to be displayed need to be changed, the arms are removed from the wall or stand and the required type of arm, i.e. horizontal or angled, is attached. This can be time consuming and requires a retail store to have a number of different arms in storage for attachment as needed. There may be times when it is thought that a particular garment would be best displayed horizontally, and then once the arm is changed and the garments are suspended, it is realised that an angled arm would be better. The garments then need to be removed and the arm changed again.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable display device that at least in part alleviates some of the problems associated with current systems, or at least provides the public with a useful choice.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an adjustable display device, including:
The second component may be formed from two sections, including a distal section that is adapted to display at least one item, and may be interchangeable to suit different items to be displayed. Alternatively, the second component may be a single integral component.
The second component is preferably an elongate arm. The arm may be formed with spaced apart notches or projections to enable garment hangers to be displayed. The second component may also be a flat plate, which could be used as a shelf, a rack or a sign.
The first and second components are preferably connected by a linking mechanism. A button may be provided to release the latch means allowing the second component to be moved and latched into another selected position. The latch means is preferably spring loaded into a latched configuration, with the button pushing against the spring bias to release the latch means.
Advantageously, the latch means includes a plurality of radially spaced apertures on either the first or second component and corresponding projections on the other component. The projections are biased into engagement with the apertures by the spring.
The first component may include two spaced apart circular walls, and the second component may include a central circular wall, which slots in between the two spaced apart circular walls. The walls may include apertures, through which a pin projects to pivotally connect the first and second components together.
Preferably, the latching means includes two circular discs on either side of the central circular wall of the second component. The circular discs are advantageously housed in recesses, which may be of greater depth than the depth of the discs, such that the discs can slide within the recesses. The discs may include the plurality of radially spaced projections. Corresponding radially spaced apertures are preferably provided on the inside of the spaced circular walls. The discs may be biased towards the spaced circular walls by springs, such that the projections are biased into engagement with the apertures.
Disengagement of the projections may be effected by the depression of a button, which pushes against the spring bias to move the discs inwardly.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
a) to 1(c) are perspective views of three adjustable display devices, according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing three different arm configurations;
a) and 2(b) are perspective views of the adjustable display device shown in
a) to 5(c) are perspective views of the three adjustable display devices shown in
An adjustable display device 10 is suitable for use in displaying retail items in a store environment. The device 10 includes a first component 12, which is able to be fixedly attached to a structure 8, as shown in
As can be seen from
The second component 14 is pivotable with respect to the first component 12 to a plurality of positions (two of which are shown in
The first and second components 12, 14 are connected by a linking mechanism 20. The linking mechanism 20 includes means 22 to selectively releasably latch the second component 14 in each of the plurality of positions. The latching action is required to give a positive engagement to ensure that the second component 14 is held in the selected position when items are placed on it or suspended from it.
An exploded view of the linking mechanism 20 and latching means 22 is shown in
The latching means 22 selectively releasably latches the second component 14 in each of the plurality of positions. The latching means 22 includes two circular discs 32 on either side of the central circular wall 26 of the second component and housed in recesses 34. The discs 32 include a plurality of peaks 36 and troughs 38 that lock the disc into corresponding peaks 40 and troughs 42 on the inside of the recess 34. This prevents the discs 32 rotating with respect to the central circular wall 26 or second component 14. The depths of the recesses 34 are greater than the depth of the discs 32, such that the discs 32 can slide within the recesses 34. However, the discs 32 are biased outwardly by springs 44.
On the outer side of the discs 32 are a plurality of radially spaced projections 46. These projections 46 correspond to a plurality of radially spaced apertures 48 on the inside of the spaced circular walls 24. When the central circular wall 26 is located in the socket between the two spaced circular walls 24, the springs 44 bias the discs 32 outwardly to latch the projections 46 into engagement in the apertures 48. This is shown in the cross-sectional view in
Disengagement of the projections 46, to enable the second component 14 to pivot, is effected by depression of buttons 50. The buttons 50 include legs 52 that project through slots 54 in the spaced circular walls 24 to engage against the discs 32. Simultaneous depression of the buttons 50 slides the discs 32 inwardly against the spring bias to disengage the projections 46 from the apertures 48. The second component 14 is then able to be pivoted to the desired angular orientation and the buttons 50 may then be released. The projections 46 will latch into corresponding apertures 48 when they are in alignment. If the angle is only required to be changed slightly, the buttons 50 may be released before pivoting the second component 14 and the projections 46 will automatically latch into the next apertures 48 to align. The buttons 50 are held in place by flanges 56 on the ends of the legs 52, which latch against the inside of the spaced circular walls 24.
Whilst it will be appreciated that the second component 14 may be a single integral component, as can be seen in
As can be seen from
The advantage of an adjustable display device according to the present invention is that a single component can be fixedly attached to a structure such as a wall and need not be removed. The angular orientation of the second component, which is adapted to display items, can be adjusted to optimise the display of those items. In one embodiment, the second component can include interchangeable arms to provide additional flexibility.
It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007904108 | Jul 2007 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU08/01087 | 7/25/2008 | WO | 00 | 1/27/2010 |
