Patent Application
20140157637
Signs are commonly used in retail settings to present information to a customer about products for purchase. For example, overhead signs are hung from a surface over one or more display structures to indicate the general location of certain products. Similarly, upright signs can be positioned adjacent display structures or in aisles between display structures to direct the customer to a product location. The upright signs can include arrows or other indicia guiding the customer in a certain direction. Alternatively or additionally, the upright signs can include maps or other drawings showing locations of various departments within the store and general areas in which a product may be located. In other instances, signs are attached directly to the display structures, such as on shelving, to provide identifying, promotional, and/or price information to the customer.
One aspect of the present invention relates to an end frame assembly configured to be coupled to a product display structure. The end frame assembly includes an elongated post, an arm, and a sign holder. The elongated post defines and extends between a bottom end and a top end. The arm is coupled to and extends away from the top end of the elongated post to define a free end opposite the elongated post, defines an internal cavity, and includes a bottom panel defining two or more slots extending longitudinally through the bottom panel of the arm between the free end and the elongated post. Each of the two or more slots provides access to the internal cavity. The sign holder defines a top edge including a rail section. The rail section of the sign holder slidably couples with the arm via one of the two or more slots and is at least partially maintained within the internal cavity of the arm. The sign holder extends through the one of the two or more slots and hangs downwardly from the bottom panel of the arm. Other assemblies, methods, etc. are also disclosed.
Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:
A new, versatile end frame assembly extends above a height of a display structure providing additional display or marketing area to the display structure without increasing the overall footprint of the display structure. In one example, the end frame assembly has a substantially L-shape and is made up of an elongated post that extends along a vertically extending support of the display structure and an arm that extends horizontally from a top end of the elongated post over the display structure. In one embodiment, a support frame extends between a top edge of the display structure and the lower surface of the arm to provide additional support to the arm. For added security, the support frame may additionally be attached to the elongated post. The arm defines a plurality of slots or tracks formed along its length for selectively receiving and retaining signs and/or sign holders such that the sign(s) generally hang(s) down from the arm above the display structure. In other configurations, the support frame is omitted and the elongated post extends slightly above the vertically extending support so that the arm rests directly on a top portion of the display structure.
To provide an aesthetically pleasing, uniform appearance and/or additional structural integrity to display system 10, planar display board 20 is retained between vertically extending supports 16 and 18 of display structure 11. Display board 20 is made from particleboard, plastic, glass, wood, or another sturdy material and can be opaque, semi-opaque, or transparent. To further improve aesthetics, display board 20 can have a smooth, textured, solid- or multi-colored surface or can be covered with a cloth, plastic, or other material.
End frame assembly 12 is secured to display structure and, in one embodiment, surrounds at least a portion (e.g., two sides) of display structure 11. In one embodiment, end frame assembly 12 extends both over a top surface 42 of display structure 11 and in parallel with and attached to vertically extending support 16 of display structure 11, as illustrated in
Primary structure 44 is a substantially L-shaped, unitary component defined generally by an elongated post 48 and an arm 50. Primary structure 44 is made from plastic, metal, or another suitable material having structural integrity and may be painted, coated, or covered with another material. Surfaces of primary structure 44 visible to a customer can include coloring, indicia, and/or writing to indicate to the customer aisle numbers, product information, and the like. In one embodiment, primary structure 44 is conspicuously colored or otherwise marked, such that when a plurality of primary structures 44 are used along a retail aisle, the series of primary structures 44 provide a uniform aesthetic appearance to the retail aisle as well as navigational information assisting a consumer in proceeding through the store and finding desired items. In one example, elongated post 48 and arm 50 are each formed from lengths of tubular material having a square or otherwise suitably shaped and hollow cross-section.
Elongated post 48 extends substantially vertically and, in one embodiment, substantially linearly from a bottom-most end 60 to a topmost end 62 and defines an interior-facing surface 70. As illustrated, elongated post 48 has a substantially rectangular, lateral cross section, for instance, a hollow or tubular cross-section. Alternatively, elongated post 48 has an ovular, circular, or other polygonal cross section, which may be selected to match a desired look of display structure 11 as illustrated in
Arm 50 extends in a direction substantially perpendicularly relative to elongated post 48 from a topmost end 62 of elongated post 48 to an opposite and free end 64. According to one embodiment, elongated post 48 extends substantially vertically, and arm 50 extends substantially horizontally. In one example, arm 50 is formed of a tubular material having a rectangular or square cross-sectional shape, for example, substantially identical to the shape of elongated post 48. Arm 50 is shorter in length than elongated post 48, in one example. A length of arm 50, as measured from an interior-facing surface 70 of elongated post 48 to free end 64, is, according to one embodiment, substantially identical to or slightly longer than an overall width of display structure 11, as measured from opposing outside surfaces of vertically extending supports 16 and 18 of display structure 11. Due to the hollow and tubular nature of arm 50, free end 64 of arm 50 defines an opening 90 to the hollow interior thereof.
Referring largely to the enlarged illustrations in
Extension member or support frame 46 is substantially U-shaped or C-shaped and configured to provide structural support for arm 50 especially toward free end 64, which is spaced furthest from the vertical support of elongated post 48. As illustrated, support frame 46 includes a top segment 110, a bottom segment 112, and a side segment 114 extending from and between top and bottom segments 110 and 112. Top and bottom segments 110 and 112 are substantially equal in length to, are spaced from, and extend substantially parallel to each other, and, upon assembly with primary structure 44, extend parallel to arm 50. In order to fit within an original footprint of primary structure 44, both rails 110 and 112 are slightly shorter in length than arm 50 and narrower in width than arm 50 and elongated post 48.
In one example, top and side segments 110 and 112 include apertures 120 for receiving fasteners 130 when assembled with primary structure 44. Apertures 124 may or may not correspond with openings (not shown) formed in elongated post 48, or alternatively apertures 124 serve as guides for securing threaded or unthreaded fasteners 130 at predetermined locations along arm 50 or on interior-facing surface 70 of elongated post 48 during assembly. In an embodiment, apertures 124 are formed on top segment 110 (apertures not shown) and guide fasteners 130 to locations on top segment 110 for securing top segment 110 to arm 50. In one example, support frame 46 is laterally positioned closer to a rear of end frame assembly 12 than to a front of end frame assembly 12. Support frame 46 is attached to arm 50 so as not to impede access to elongated slots 92 in arm 50. In one embodiment bottom segment 112 includes a downwardly extending flange 132 near a free end 134 thereof opposite side segment 114. Downwardly extending flange 132 is configured to be coupled with a side of display structure 11, such as vertically extending support 18, to further secure support frame 46 and all of end frame assembly 12 to display structure 11.
In one embodiment, end frame assembly 12 includes coupling mechanisms 140 and 142 to each facilitate coupling end frame assembly 12 with display structure 11. Coupling mechanisms 140 and 142 are used for securing bottom and top portions, respectively, of elongated post 48 to vertically extending support 16 of display structure 11 (e.g.,
In one example, substantially planar plate 150 includes apertures 156 extending therethrough and configured to align with one of two pairs of openings 160 and 162 formed through interior-facing surface 70 of elongated post 48 to receive fasteners 164, such as rivets, screws, bolts and the like extending through substantially planar plate 150 and interior-facing surface 70 to secure coupling mechanisms 140 and 142 to elongated post 48, respectively, as illustrated with particular reference to
Locking tab 146 is substantially an inverted L-shape defining a drop section 170 and a lock section 172, which are each substantially linear, in the illustrated embodiment. Drop section 170 includes an opening 174 near a top thereof configured to align with a top aperture 156 in gondola hook bracket 144 and an opening 160 of elongated post 48. In this manner, a single fastener 164 couples locking tab 146 to gondola hook bracket 144 and each of locking tab 146 and gondola hook bracket 144 to elongated post 48. Lock section 172 extends from an end of drop section 170 opposite opening 174 and extends, for example, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extension of drop section 170. Locking tab 146 is rotatable relative to fastener 164 so that a hook portion of locking tab 146 locks gondola hook bracket 144, and hence, elongated post 48 in position on vertically extending support 16 (or vertically extending support 18), when hook portion of tab 146 is inserted into corresponding slot 34 or 36 on vertically extending support 16 (or support 18, in other embodiments).
In other words, in one embodiment, locking tab 146 is configured to rotate about fastener 164 as generally indicated by arrow 176 in
One or more sign holder 200 is supported by arm 50 of primary structure 44, and each sign holder 200 retains one or more sign 202 bearing indicia 203. Indicia 203 may include any one or more of graphics, text, artwork, etc. and may provide navigational indicators to consumers, indicate a season, sale or occasion at the retail store, advertise a feature or price of products 40 displayed on display structure 11, etc. Sign holders 200 may take on any one of a plurality of different configurations, but in one embodiment, each sign holder 200 includes a top, longitudinally extending, rail section 210 and a sign retaining section 212 depending downwardly therefrom as generally shown in
Sign retaining section 212 includes a top surface 220 and a pair of opposite retaining panels 222. Top surface 220 has a width greater than a width of spacer fin 216, and in one example, substantially identical to a width of cap 214. In one embodiment, top surface 220 directly abuts and is laterally centered relative to spacer fin 216 such that an elongated groove 224 is formed on each side of spacer fin 216 between cap 214 of rail section 210 and top surface 220 of sign retaining section 212.
Retaining panels 222 each extend downwardly from laterally opposite sides of top surface 220, and retaining panels 222 are configured to hold one or more sign 202 therebetween such as a substantially planar sign 202. In one embodiment, the one or more sign holder 200 includes sign holder 200A shown in
Each sign holder 200 is coupled with arm 50 by sliding rail section 210 through elongated slots 92. More particularly, rail section 210 of each sign holder 200 enters a corresponding elongated slot 92 via opening 90 at free end 64 of arm 50 and is slid toward elongated post 48 until each sign holder 200 is in a desired position, for example, positioned such that a width of each sign holder 200 is substantially aligned with a width of arm 50. In one example, sign holder 200A nearly or actually contacts interior-facing surface 70 of elongated post 48 when finally positioned relative to arm 50. As sign holder 200 is being slid through elongated slots 92 and upon final positioning of sign holder 200, spacer fin 216 extends through the respective elongated slot 92 such that cap 214 is positioned in cavity 96. Interior edges of bottom panel 94 adjacent elongated slots 92 are positioned in elongated grooves 224 on each side of spacer fin 216 between cap 214 of rail section 210 and top surface 220 of sign retaining section 212. In this manner, sign holders 200 hang from bottom panel 94 of arm 50, and in one example, hang to touch or extend just above top surface 42 of display structure 11 to substantially cover the space between top surface 42 of display structure 11 and bottom panel 94 of arm 50.
In one example, sign holder 200A supports signs 202 including navigational indicia 203 listing products or product types on display structure 11 or in an aisle immediately adjacent display structure 11 and generally remain coupled with arm 50 for longer periods of time than sign holder 200B. Sign holder 200B can be slid in an elongated slot 92 adjacent elongated slot 92 maintaining sign holder 200A as illustrated, for example, in
A plug or cover 300 is configured to cover opening 90 of arm 50 thereby substantially covering elongated slots 92 from end view. In one example, cover 300 includes a primary panel 302 and sidewalls 304 extending substantially perpendicularly to and inset from an outer perimeter of primary panel 302. Sidewalls 304 are configured to frictionally fit with a top wall and/or sidewalls of arm 50 and/or interior wall 100 of arm 50 to remain coupled to free end 64 of arm 50 covering opening 90. In one example, an exterior surface of primary panel 302 includes indicia, such as a number or other designation of an aisle (e.g., “A12”) that display structure 11 is located near and/or partially defines.
End frame assembly 12, according to one embodiment, is substantially assembled before installing end frame assembly 12 on display structure 11. For example, referring to
With additional reference to
Next, one or more sign holder 200 is slid into cavity 90 of arm 50 via its respective elongated slot 92. More particularly, each sign holder 200 is coupled with arm 50 by sliding rail section 210 thereof through one of elongated slots 92 via opening 90 in arm 50 at free end 64 of arm 50 until a width of each sign holder 200 is substantially aligned with a width of arm 50. As sign holder 200 is being slid through elongated slots 92 and upon final positioning, spacer fin 216 extends through the respective elongated slot 92, and cap 214 is positioned in cavity 96. Edges of bottom panel 94 of arm 50 that are adjacent elongated slots 92 are positioned in elongated grooves 224, which are defined between cap 214 and top surface 220. In this manner, sign holders 200 hang from bottom panel 94 of arm 50, and in one example, hang to touch or extend just above top surface 42 of display structure 11 to substantially cover the space between top surface 42 of display structure 11 and bottom panel 94 of arm 50. Once sign holder 200 is positioned, signs 202 are slid into or otherwise coupled with sign holder 200 and coupled to arm 50. Other variations regarding assembly and installation of end frame assembly 12 as will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this application.
End frame assembly 212 is coupled to display structure 11 using coupling mechanisms 140 and 142 similar to end frame assembly 12. However, arm 250 is positioned to lay directly over top surface 42 of display structure 11. In one example, arm 250 additionally includes a flange 252 extending downwardly from a free end 64 thereof and being secured directly to rail 18 of display structure 11 to provide additional rigidity to end frame assembly 212 and safety to passersby.
Including end frame assembly 12 or 212 on display structure 11 or 211 increases signage display area without significantly increasing the footprint of display structure 11 and 211. More particularly, end frame assemblies 12 and 212 provide surfaces for including indicia to alert customers to directory, product, department, or other information. Additionally, usage of a signage primary structure vertically adds to the display area of end frame assembly 12 allowing for seemingly endless possibilities for extending display space above displayed products. Moreover, end frame assemblies 12 and 212 improve aesthetics and interest to display structures 11 and 211 by providing visual depth to displays.
Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments, such embodiments are meant for the purposes of illustrating examples only and should not be considered to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Various alternatives, modifications, and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the above detailed description.
