Display fixture system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6193083
  • Patent Number
    6,193,083
  • Date Filed
    Friday, March 24, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 27, 2001
    23 years ago
Abstract
A display fixture system includes a plurality of vertical support posts each support post having a U-shaped support element and a flange extending from each side thereof in parallel, spaced relation thereto. Pins traversing through the support element are maintained in place by the flanges. The flanges are connected to one another by a connecting member extending across a rear portion of the support element. The support posts support product displays therefrom hung from the pins. Posts are mounted in back-to-back relation to one another to form a freestanding display system. The posts are mounted to upper and lower brackets to provide a wall-mounted display system.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




This invention pertains to a display fixture. More particularly, the invention pertains to a readily installed display fixture system that can be wall mounted or free-standing such as those used in retail establishments.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Display systems are well known in the art. These systems can be used, for example, for retail display of various items such as clothing and the like. Consumers will likely recognize such systems which often include shelves for displaying merchandise and hangers from which items can be displayed or hung. These displays can also include partitions and the like for segregating one particular type of merchandise from another.




One known type of wall display system includes a plurality of vertically oriented, spaced upright posts mounted to the surface or wall. The posts typically include a plurality of evenly spaced elongated slots extending longitudinally therealong. Brackets having hook-like projections extending from a rear end insert into the elongated slots and lock to the posts. The brackets can be used to support shelving, signs, desk surfaces and the like.




One drawback to this type of system is that each of the vertical posts must be separately or independently mounted to the wall surface. While this type of arrangement has gained wide-spread acceptance, it leaves much room for error in layout or design and installation. For example, if adjacent posts are not properly spaced from one another, a shelf that is intended to extend between the posts may be too long or too short for the given installed spacing. In addition, when installing such systems, the height of corresponding slots from one post to an adjacent post must be properly maintained, or the shelf may not rest horizontally planar on the brackets.




Another type of shelving system includes a grid-like arrangement that is mounted to the wall surface. The grid-like arrangement includes a plurality of horizontally extending bars, onto which brackets are attached. While this arrangement overcomes some of the above-noted problems associated with the independent post type of arrangement, the grid-like configuration can be quite large and bulky and, as will be recognized, rather heavy as well. Additionally, the grid-like arrangement, like the independent post arrangement, requires that the grid be mounted to the wall at a large number of locations.




Still another type of display fixture system includes a plurality of essentially free-standing U-shaped vertical standards or uprights. Each of the U-shaped uprights includes a pair of parallel elements, to which shelves and the like can be attached. Although this arrangement provides a significant amount of display space, it is free-standing, and is therefore subject to the instability associated with many such free-standing systems.




Accordingly, there exists a need for a readily installed display fixture system that is wall mounted or free-standing. Desirably, such a system can be readily installed on any flat wall surface, and is secured to the surface using a minimum number of fasteners. Another desirable system is free standing. Most desirably, such a system eliminates the possibility of improperly spacing the vertical uprights from one another and provides adjustability of the vertical support risers to maintain spanning elements, such as shelves, horizontal.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




A display fixture system includes upper and lower, spaced apart, parallel horizontal brackets for mounting to an associated surface. Each bracket has a securing location that corresponds to a securing location of the other bracket. The brackets are mounted to the surface so that corresponding securing locations are vertically aligned with one another.




Support risers extend between and are secured to the brackets. The risers secure between the brackets vertically, transverse to the brackets and spaced from the wall surface. The risers mount to the upper and lower brackets at securing locations on the brackets.




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 wall fasteners required.




Each of the support posts inserts into corresponding upper and lower bracket securing locations. The support posts are preferably formed having a central support member, such as a tubular element and a pair of longitudinally extending flanges. Pins insert through transverse openings in the support posts and are fastened to the posts and to the flanges to secure the flanges to the posts. In a most preferred configuration, an upper end of each support post includes a threaded bore or insert to facilitate securing the post to the upper bracket.




The upper and lower brackets each include an opening and a pair of elongated slots disposed on either side of the opening for receiving a support post. The flanges insert into the elongated slots and the post inserts through a relatively large opening in the lower flange. A threaded fastener, such as a bolt, is inserted through the opening in the upper bracket and threadedly engages the insert or bore in the post to secure the post to the upper bracket.




In a most preferred embodiment, the support posts each include a height adjusting element, such as a threaded foot for resting the support post on the floor, and to provide height adjustment so that each support post is vertically aligned with its adjacent posts.




The pins that extend from the support posts to the flanges are configured to receive brackets and other hanging elements for hanging shelves, signs, garment hangers, table tops and the like, as well as other types of display ornamentation. Optionally, the display system can include wall panels that mount to the upper and lower brackets, between adjacent support posts. In one embodiment, the panels include fixed lower pins that extend from a bottom edge of the panel frame and biased upper pins that extend from an upper edge of the panel that insert into openings formed in the upper and lower brackets, respectively.




Another embodiment of the invention is configured as a display fixture system which, when mounted to an associated surface, includes upper and lower spaced apart, parallel horizontal brackets for mounting to the surface. Each bracket has a securing locating corresponding to a securing location of the other of the pair of brackets. The brackets are mounted to the surface so that corresponding securing locations are vertically aligned with one another.




A support post extends between and is secured to the brackets. The support post is secured between the brackets in a vertical orientation, transverse to the brackets and spaced from the surface. Each support post includes a support element and a plurality of pins traversing through the support element. Each post further includes a pair of flanges, each extending along a side of the support element and configured to maintain the pins positioned within the support posts. In a preferred embodiment, the support element is formed as a U-shaped member having a pair of elongated leg portions and defining an open end. The flanges are connected to one another by a connecting portion that extends across the open end of the support element. Most preferably, each flange has a portion spaced from and parallel to its respective support element leg portion. In this configuration, the support post flanges secure the pins within the support element.




The upper and lower brackets can include openings therein and the support posts can include upper and lower caps having aligning pins extending therefrom. The aligning pins extend into the openings in the upper and lower brackets to maintain the posts in a vertical orientation and to maintain the posts spatially separated from one another.




Alternately, the display fixture system can be configured as a standalone or gondola-type system. In this embodiment, the support posts are configured in back-to-back relation to one another with the flange connecting members attached to one another. The support posts can be mounted to a base element and an upper element to define a frame for the fixture system. A plurality of pairs of support posts can be mounted to the base and top elements and an end cap can be mounted to the display system perpendicular to a plane defined by the pairs of posts to provide support for the system.




Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a wall mounted display fixture system embodying the principles of the present invention, the system being illustrated in partial view so as to illustrate a plurality of vertical upright posts;





FIG. 2

is a partial exploded perspective view of one vertical upright support post, illustrated as the support post inserts into and secures to the upper and lower brackets;





FIG. 3

is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line


3





3


of

FIG. 1

, and illustrates an exemplary shelf bracket being positioned on one of the vertical upright support posts;





FIG. 4

is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line


4





4


of

FIG. 1

, and illustrates one exemplary vertical upright support post positioned within the lower bracket;





FIG. 5

is a partial cross-section view taken along line


5





5


of

FIG. 1

, illustrating an exemplary semi-circular header element mounted to the top portion of a vertical upright support post;





FIG. 6

is a partial perspective view of the wall mounted display system illustrated with an optional wall panel positioned between the upper and lower brackets and between adjacent support posts;





FIG. 7

is a partial perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a vertical sub-port post in accordance with the principles of the present invention;





FIG. 8

is a cross-sectional view of the support post of

FIG. 7

taken through a transverse pin;





FIG. 9

is a top view of the support post of

FIG. 7

;





FIG. 10

is a partial side view of a bottom end of the support post of

FIG. 7

;





FIG. 11

illustrates a bottom end of the support post illustrating the support post resting on a bottom or lower bracket and further illustrating a support tube extending to the floor aligned with the bottom end of the support posts;





FIG. 12

is a perspective view of a bottom or lower bracket; the upper bracket being identical thereto and inverted when mounted to an adjacent surface;





FIG. 13

is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the display fixture system shown as a free-standing or gondola-type system;





FIG. 14

is a top view of a pair of the support posts in back-to-back relation to one another;





FIG. 15

illustrates the support posts in back-to-back relation to one another and shown with a single flange extending along a side of the support element;





FIG. 16

illustrates an exemplary base element for mounting the stand-alone system; and





FIG. 17

illustrates an exemplary top element for mounting the standalone system.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




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

FIG. 1

, there is shown a wall mounted display fixture system


10


embodying the principles of the present invention. This system includes, generally, a plurality of parallel, vertically extending upright support posts


12


secured between and mounted to upper and lower bracket members


14


,


16


, respectively. The bracket members


14


,


16


are adapted to secure the vertical support posts


12


in spaced parallel relation to one another. In a current embodiment, the upper and lower brackets


14


,


16


are angle-like members each having a first leg


18


for mounting the bracket


14


,


16


to the wall surface S, and a second leg


20


that is configured for receiving the vertical support posts


12


. The brackets


14


,


16


can be mounted to the wall S by, for example, threaded fasteners such as screws. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the brackets


14


,


16


can be formed in a wide variety of configurations, which configurations are within the scope of the present invention.




The lower bracket


16


includes a plurality of relatively large diameter openings


22


, each opening


22


having associated therewith a pair of openings, preferably a pair of symmetrically located elongated slots


24


positioned on opposing sides of the larger, central opening


22


. The upper bracket


14


includes a plurality of smaller diameter openings


26


, each having a pair of openings, preferably a pair of elongated slots


28


associated with each opening


26


positioned on opposing sides of the smaller diameter opening


26


. For purposes of the present discussion each opening and its associated elongated slots will be referred to as a securing location, indicated generally at


30


and


32


for the upper and lower brackets


14


,


16


, respectively. In a preferred configuration, the elongated slots


24


,


28


are formed symmetrically in the brackets


14


,


16


relative to the openings


22


,


26


and extend transverse to a longitudinal axis A of the bracket


14


,


16


.




Each of the upper and lower securing locations


30


,


32


is spaced a predetermined distance from its adjacent securing locations. As will be appreciated from the drawings, spacing each securing location


30


,


32


from its adjacent securing locations establishes a predetermined distance between each of the vertical upright support posts


12


. In this manner, it is unnecessary to mark or determine vertical support post


12


spacing in that the spacing is established by the distance between each of the securing locations


30


,


32


. In addition, each upper securing location


30


corresponds to a lower securing location


32


, with the larger diameter opening


22


of the lower bracket


16


corresponding to the smaller diameter opening


26


of the upper bracket


14


, and the elongated slots


24


of the lower bracket


16


, likewise, corresponding to the elongated slots


28


of the upper bracket


14


. Each of these upper and lower elements correspond to one another and lie vertically planar with one another.




Each of the vertical upright support posts


12


includes a central elongated support element


34


and a pair of termination flanges


36


extending longitudinally parallel to the support elements


34


. Pins


38


extend transversely from the elongated support element


34


at predetermined distances along the elements and secure the flanges


36


to the support elements


34


. As such, each of the vertical support posts


12


is a vertical riser having a central support element


34


and a pair of flanges


36


extending parallel to and longitudinally along each of the elements


34


secured thereto by the pins


38


. In a preferred arrangement, the riser or support element


34


has openings


40


formed therein through which the pins


38


traverse and are fastened to the flanges


38


and the support element


34


by, for example, welding.




Referring now to

FIG. 2

, the flanges


36


extend along each support post


12


, at the top, to a position slightly beyond (i.e., above) that of the end


42


of the support element


34


. That is, the flanges


36


extend upwardly beyond the end


42


of the support element


34


. A threaded bore or insert


44


is formed in the top


42


of the support element


34


to facilitate securing the post


12


to the upper bracket


14


. A knurled fastener or bolt


46


threads into the bore


44


to secure the post


12


to the upper bracket


14


.




The lower end of the support post


12


is configured in a converse manner to the upper end. The elongated support element


34


extends beyond the lower end of the flanges


36


, as shown generally at


48


. In addition, the last transverse pin


38




z


that secures the flanges


36


to the support element


34


is spaced from the end of the flanges


36


. In this manner, a portion of each of the flanges


36


extends beyond the last transverse pin


38




z


but not to the lower end of the support element


34


. In a preferred arrangement, a height adjusting element


50


, such as the exemplary threaded foot extends from the lower end of each support post


12


. As will be explained in detail below, the threaded foot


50


permits fine adjustment of the height of the support post


12


.




Referring to

FIGS. 2 and 4

, installation of the wall mounted display system


10


will be readily understood. First, the upper and lower brackets


14


,


16


are secured to a surface S, such as a wall. The brackets


14


,


16


can be secured to the wall S by mechanical fasteners, such as bolts, screws and the like, which mechanical fastening methods will be recognized by those skilled in the art. In securing the upper and lower brackets


14


,


16


to the wall S, the brackets


14


,


16


must be secured parallel to one another and spaced a predetermined distance from one another. In addition, a desired distance of the lower bracket


16


from the floor F must also be carefully determined and maintained. In installing the brackets


14


,


16


, care must also be taken to assure that corresponding upper and lower securing locations


30


,


32


are vertically aligned with one another. Essentially, the upper and lower brackets


14


,


16


must be parallel to and properly spaced from one another, with the lower bracket


16


properly spaced from the floor F. In addition, corresponding upper and lower securing locations


30


,


32


must be vertically aligned with one another.




After the upper and lower brackets


14


,


16


are properly located and secured to the wall S, the lower end of the vertical support post


12


is mounted to the lower bracket


16


by inserting the support element


34


through the larger diameter opening


22


in the lower bracket


16


. While inserting the support element


34


through the opening


22


, the lower ends of the flanges


36


are inserted into the elongated slots


24


located in the bracket


16


on either side of the opening


22


.




With the lower portion of the support post


12


positioned in the lower bracket


16


, the upper portion of the support post


12


is located and positioned in the upper bracket


14


, by inserting the flanges


36


through the elongated slots


28


in the upper bracket


14


. The fastener or bolt


46


is then inserted through the smaller diameter opening


26


, and is threaded into the bore


44


, securing the support post


12


in place. As seen in

FIG. 1

, when the support post


12


is in place in the brackets


14


,


16


, it is spaced from the wall S.




The threaded foot


50


is next adjusted by lowering it to rest on the floor F, which transfers any vertical load exerted on the support post


12


to the floor F, rather than on the brackets


14


,


16


. The remaining support posts


12


are installed between the upper and lower brackets


14


,


16


in a similar manner. The threaded foot


50


can be further used to provide fine height adjustment of each support post


12


, to assure that each of the transverse pins


38


is on a horizontal plane with corresponding pins


38


of each adjacent support post


12


. The threaded foot


50


is also used to adjust post


12


height to assure that spanning elements, such as shelves that extend between support multiple support posts


12


, are horizontally oriented and not skewed.




A wide variety of product display elements and display ornamentation can be supported from the wall mounted display system


10


. For example, as shown in

FIGS. 1 and 5

, a semi-circular header portion


52


can be used to extend between a pair of adjacent support posts


12


. The semi-circular header


52


can be fitted directly into the threaded bore


44


of the support posts


12


or can attach to the bolt


46


using any of a variety of mechanical fastening arrangements.




The display system


10


can also support shelves


54


and hangers


56


as illustrated in

FIGS. 1 and 3

.

FIG. 3

illustrates one exemplary arrangement by which a shelf bracket


58


or hanger bracket attaches to the support post


12


. The bracket


58


can include a pair of opposingly oriented notches


60


,


62


formed in the bracket


58


. An upper notch


60


can be formed having an L-shaped opening to lock the notch


60


onto the transverse pins


38


. One advantage of the present display system


10


is that the end flanges


36


which are affixed to the pins


38


, prevent the bracket


58


from slipping or otherwise dislodging from the pins


38


. This additional, lateral securing arrangement provides increased assurance of the structural integrity of the display system


10


and the supported structural elements (e.g., product display elements) that are attached to the system


10


, such as shelves


54


, hangers


56


and the like. The hanger element


56


secures to the display system


10


in a like manner, and can be used to, for example, hang garments and the like for display.




Other display elements can include, for example, a partition


64


extending from the display system


10


, transversely from the wall S. Such a partition


64


can be used to segregate or separate different merchandise or, for example, different sizes of the same merchandise.




An additional display element includes a wall panel


66


that secures to the upper and lower brackets


14


,


16


between adjacent vertical support posts


12


, as illustrated in FIG.


6


. The panel


66


can be formed having a frame


68


and a central core (not shown) interposed between face sheets


70


(one shown). The face sheets


70


can be formed having different colors or graphics, or can be mirrored, depending upon the design and ornamentation that is desired. In one embodiment, the frame


68


includes fixed lower pins


72


extending from a bottom edge


74


of the frame


68


and biased (e.g., spring-loaded) upper pins


76


extending from an upper edge


78


of the frame


68


. The pins


72


,


76


insert into openings


80


formed in the upper and lower brackets


14


,


16


to secure the panel


66


to the display system


10


. The panels


66


provide added flexibility and design potential for the display system


10


.




Another embodiment of the display system


110


is illustrated in

FIGS. 7-17

. In this embodiment, the system


110


can be erected as a wall-mounted system or as a free-standing system, commonly referred to as a gondola-type system. This system


110


includes generally parallel, vertically extending upright posts


112


. When used as a wall-mounted system, the posts


112


are secured between and mounted to upper and lower brackets


114


,


116


, respectively. The brackets


114


,


116


are adapted to secure the vertical support posts


112


in spaced parallel relation to one another.

FIG. 12

illustrates the brackets


114


,


166


. It is to be noted that FIG.


12


shows a lower bracket


116


, and the upper bracket


114


is merely inverted from that shown.




The upper and lower brackets


114


,


116


are angle-like members each having a first leg


118


for mounting the bracket


114


,


116


to the wall surface and a second leg


120


that is configured for receiving the vertical support posts


112


. Preferably, a semicircular notch


122


is formed in the second leg


120


at about the location at which each support post


112


is mounted to the brackets


114


,


116


. The second leg


120


of each of the upper and lower brackets


114


,


116


includes holes or openings


124


,


126


formed therein for receipt of fasteners not shown and for receipt of aligning pins


130


on the posts


112


, as will be discussed in more detail below.




Each of the vertical upright support posts


112


, as best seen in

FIGS. 7-8

, includes a central elongated U-shaped support element


134


having a rounded central portion


136


and a pair of elongated generally planar leg portions


138


. Each support post


112


further includes a pair of support flanges


140


that extend from an open end


142


of the U-shaped support member


134


toward the rounded center


136


. The support flanges


140


extend in a generally parallel, spaced relation to the elongated legs


138


of the support element


134


. In this manner, as indicated at


144


, a gap is formed between each of the support flanges


140


and its respective support element let


138


. In a most preferred embodiment, the support flanges


140


are formed as a unitary member, indicated at


146


, and are connected to one another across the open end


142


of the U-shaped support element


134


by a connecting member


143


, thus, enclosing the open end


142


of the element


134


. The flange assembly


146


includes first and second securing walls


148


, that are positioned outwardly of and abutting the U-shaped support element


134


at about the open end


142


thereof. Fasteners


150


, such as rivets, secure the U-shaped support element


134


and flange assembly to one another.




The support posts


112


include upper and lower caps


152


,


154


, respectively, that essentially cover the top and bottom open portions


156


,


158


respectively, of the U-shaped support member/flange assembly


134


/


146


. The caps


152


,


154


can include openings


160


therein and each can further include one or more of the aligning pins


130


extending therefrom that is configured for receipt in one of the openings


124


in the upper and lower brackets


114


,


116


, respectively, to maintain the support post


112


in a vertical orientation and in a predetermined position along the upper and lower brackets


114


,


116


.




Extending from the lower end of support post


112


, below the lower bracket


116


, the system


110


can include a support element


164


, such as a structural tube that extends to the floor and includes, for example, a leveler


166


to transfer any load that may be exerted on the system to the floor. The support tube


164


can include an opening


168


in the top thereof configured to receive the front pin from the support post cap. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the leveler,


166


which is typically a threaded “foot” can be used to level the support post


112


and assure that as much load as possible is shifted from the display system


110


to the floor.




As in the embodiment


10


illustrated in

FIGS. 1-6

, this embodiment of the display fixture system


110


includes a plurality of pins


170


that extend transversely through the elongated supported element


134


at predetermined distances along the element


134


. In this embodiment, the pins


170


are received in openings


172


that are formed in each of the elongated leg portions


138


. The pins


170


are maintained in position by “capture” between the flanges


140


. In this manner, each of the pins


170


does not have to be secured to the support element


134


or flange assembly


146


. Rather, the position of the flanges


140


relative to one another maintains the pins


170


in position along the post


112


. It may, however, be desirable to secure one or more of the pins


170


to one of the flanges


140


and/or support element


134


at various locations along the support post


112


.




Also as with the earlier embodiment


10


, a wide variety of product display elements


174


and display ornamentation can be supported from the support posts


112


from the pins


170


.




Referring to

FIG. 13

, the present system


110


can also be used as a free-standing or gondola-type system. In this configuration, two support posts


112


are mounted to one another with the rear portion


176


of the flange assemblies


146


abutting and affixed to each other. As seen in

FIG. 14

, in such an arrangement, the upper


152


and lower (not seen) post caps can be configured as a single cap to extend between the pair of “back-to-back” support posts


112


. In this configuration, rather than upper and lower wall-mounted support brackets, the system uses a series of base elements


178


and top elements


180


to secure the support posts


112


to one another. The base elements


178


include a plurality of openings


182


to, for example, receive fasteners (not shown), or the aligning pins


130


to secure the support posts


112


to the base elements


178


.




In like manner, the top elements


180


extend between the upper ends of each of the support posts


112


to secure the posts


112


to one another and to maintain spatial relationship between the support posts


112


, thus maintaining the support posts


112


vertical and parallel to one another. The top elements


180


can include interlocking


190


notches and projections


192


to secure the tops to one another.




In a most preferred embodiment, an “end-cap” as illustrated at


186


is used at the end of a run of the display wall and is mounted perpendicular thereto. The end cap


186


provides additional support to the overall structure. This is particularly desirable in that this structure can be used as a free-standing display. The end-cap


186


is configured in like manner to the remaining portions of the display


110


.




In a most preferred embodiment, channels


188


are mounted to the support flange assemblies


146


as best seen in FIG.


14


. These channels


188


, which face cooperating channels


188


adjacent facing support posts


112


, can be used to receive, for example, the display elements


174


or other type of panel that can include graphics, indicia or other aesthetic elements.




Those skilled in the art will recognize the extreme advantages of the present wall mounted display system


10


,


110


. The present system


10


,


110


provides a readily designed, easily installed and extremely versatile display system


10


,


110


that can be used for displaying a wide variety of merchandise. In addition, the present display system


10


,


110


also provides for easily installing shelving, hangers, desk tops and other product display elements and ornamentation to create custom display arrangements.




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.



Claims
  • 1. A display fixture system for mounting to an associated surface comprising:upper and lower spaced apart, parallel horizontal brackets for mounting to the surface, each bracket having a securing location corresponding to a securing location of the other of the pair of brackets, the brackets being mounted to the surface so that corresponding securing locations are vertically aligned with one another; and a support post extending between and secured to the brackets, the post being secured between the brackets in a vertical orientation, transverse to the brackets and spaced from the surface, the support post including a support element and a plurality of pins traversing through the support element, the support post including a pair of flanges affixed to the support element, each flange extending along a side of the support element and configured to maintain the pins positioned within the support post, the support post capable of supporting a product display.
  • 2. The display fixture system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the support element is a U-shaped member having a pair of elongated leg portions and defining an open end, and wherein the pair of flanges are connected to one another by a connecting portion that extends across the open end of the support element, the flanges being affixed to the support element at about the open end of the support element.
  • 3. The display fixture system in accordance with claim 2 wherein each flange has a portion spaced from and parallel to its respective support element leg portion.
  • 4. The display fixture system in accordance with claim 3 wherein each support post includes a first pin extending from a top thereof and a second pin extending from a bottom thereof and wherein the upper and lower brackets each include openings therein, the upper and lower bracket openings corresponding to one another and configured for receipt of the support post first and second pins to maintain the support post in a vertical orientation.
  • 5. The display fixture system in accordance with claim 4 wherein the support post includes an upper end cap and a lower end cap and wherein the first and second pins extend from the upper and lower end caps, respectively.
  • 6. The display fixture system in accordance with claim 1 including a support element aligned with a lower end of the support post and extending from the lower bracket to an adjacent, associated floor surface.
  • 7. A display fixture system, comprising:a plurality of vertical support posts, each support post including a U-shaped support element and a plurality of pins traversing through the support element, each support post including a pair of flanges connected to one another by a connecting portion, each flange extending along a side of the support element, each support post further including a plurality of pins traversing through the support element, wherein the flanges extend along outer sides of the support element and are configured to maintain the pins positioned within the support posts, and wherein at least some of the support posts are in pairs in back-to-back relation to one another, the support posts defining a support post plane; at least one base element configured to receive a bottom portion of the support posts; at least one top element configured to receive a top element of each of the support posts; and at least one end section connected to the plurality of support posts perpendicular to the support post plane.
  • 8. The display fixture system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the support posts include channels therein adapted to receive associated display media oriented perpendicular to the support post plane.
  • 9. The display fixture system in accordance with claim 7 wherein each pair of back-to-back support posts includes a top cap configured to extend across the top portion of the support post pair and wherein the top cap includes pins extending therefrom adapted to be received in the at least one top element.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/267,521, filed Mar. 12, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,044,986.

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Continuation in Parts (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/267521 Mar 1999 US
Child 09/534659 US