Patent Application
20140054252
This invention pertains to a display fixture. More particularly, the invention pertains to a display fixture system that has decorative features that can easily be changed to reflect different themes or holidays.
Known display racks provide little flexibility in display, design, layout and appearance. In general, display racks are functional, not contributing to the presentation of the product. Because a display rack must present the product through a variety of promotions and seasonal changes, it must necessarily be bland and featureless. Thus, it would be desirable to have more flexibility in designing and arranging such displays to allow for more decorative and/or seasonal motifs to be used.
Such systems can be used, for example, for providing a display unit to display art or promotional material. Consumers will likely recognize portable booths or kiosks that can be erected in a free-standing manner in the street or on a sidewalk for such display purposes. Display racks of this nature may be used by artists at art fairs for displaying their work. The racks can also be used for displaying promotional or other advertising media, for example, at trade shows and the like, in addition to clothing and other merchandise at retail stores.
Accordingly, there is a need for a display rack which can easily change its appearance to suit the promotion or the season as desired.
A typical display fixture system includes a framework of upper and lower, spaced apart, parallel horizontal brackets for mounting to an associated vertical bracket or riser. Each bracket has a securing location that corresponds to a securing location of the other bracket. The brackets are mounted to each other for a stable fixture.
Support risers extend between and are secured to the horizontal member. The risers secure between the members vertically, transverse to the members. The risers mount to the upper and lower members at securing locations on the members.
The display system is configured to support product display elements, such as shelves, display surfaces, signs and hangers to, for example, hang clothing, as well as other types of display ornamentation. The system is flexible and sufficiently versatile that using standard posts and brackets, custom displays can be designed and installed quickly and efficiently, with a minimum number of fasteners required.
The above described display fixtures system comprises a framework on which the subject invention is secured. Each visible structural member of the framework is covered with a removable cover or cladding in which the vertical members are held in place by the horizontal members. Each vertical and horizontal member is also independently held to the framework by a magnet or other fastener.
Optionally, panels may be secured between the vertical support posts; such panels may be decorated similar to the cladding about to be described. The panels should be easily removable.
In a preferred embodiment each framework member is covered by a cladding member with the vertical members being held in place by the horizontal members. The support framework is generally in the shape of a T, H, S, or I so that the crossbar horizontal member holds the other horizontal or linking member in place. Further, panels may be secured to the framework for additional decoration.
By virtue of being easily removable, each of the vertical and horizontal members may be decorated according to a certain theme or color. When a particular display rack is needed in another part of the retail store or if the theme is changed according to the season, each display rack may undergo a change of decoration through the facile substitution of the brackets' and risers' cladding. Thanksgiving decorations may easily segue into Christmas decorations or a given display rack may be easily transferred from a colorful woman's clothing section to a more subdued men's clothing section.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the accompanied drawings and the appended claims.
a-8c are perspective views of an embodiment of the subject invention in progressive stages of assembly;
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described presently preferred embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
Referring now to the figures and in particular to
A cover, or cladding, is placed over the framework in a removable manner, as will be explained. This cover may be of any suitable material such as wood, metal, plastic or other materials as known in the art. This cover has decorative elements, as in a certain color or design.
In
The top of the upright post and upper portion of the vertical cover element is covered by end horizontal cover member 30, constructed similarly to vertical cover element 18 with an overhang 28 over the upright post and the vertical cover element 12 (
In this manner the vertical cover elements 18 are all held and locked in place at both ends, and the horizontal cross bar 30 is held and locked in place.
In another embodiment, the fasteners holding the respective elements and members may be flat head screws and wingnuts fastening through predrilled openings in the upper and lower members and upright support posts.
The underlying framework (upper and lower members and upright support posts) is preferably of metal for strength and rigidity, it is possible that plastic or wood may be used in these parts.
Thus, with the above described structure, a display fixture comprises two major component features: a structural framework and a cover. The cover is designed to easily be placed over the framework 40 and then easily removed as depicted in FIG. 8A-8C. The underlying framework 40 is shown in
The subject invention may be provided as a kit. Several sets of differently themed or decorated cover members and panels may be provided. For instance, a Christmas themed cover set, a Thanksgiving themed cover set, an Easter themed cover set, a 4th of July themed cover set and a plain cover set may be packaged together. A retailer may then easily switch from one to the other depending on the season and the need. Other related themes, such as male/female; infant/preteen/teen; and other decorative themes are contemplated within the scope of this invention.
From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
