Patent Application
20110117536
This disclosure relates to point of purchase displays generally and, more specifically, to point of purchase displays for game tables.
Customers generally prefer to be able to see and touch items prior to purchasing. Oftentimes it is difficult to convey the appearance and textures of items through photographs on packaging. Display items are often used to facilitate pre-purchase decision making. When an item is manageably small, the item may simply be placed within view or otherwise made available for handling or viewing. However, display of large items such as game tables may force the retailer into a compromise between the display of available items and the forfeiture of floor space for other items.
In some instances, a retailer may wish to highlight various features and selling points of large item on display for a customer. Packaging may display some of this information, but the packaging may not be readily available for the customer to view. This is particularly so were the decision has been made to actually display a large item itself. The packaged goods may be in a warehouse or otherwise out of view to the customer. Placards and signage may be placed on display items but generally only a limited amount of information can be displayed in this way. Additionally, unless the signage is repeated from every angle, it is not certain that every customer will have the benefit of viewing this information since large items such as game tables may be viewed and used from multiple angles
What is needed is a system and method for addressing the above and related issues.
The invention of the present disclosure, in one aspect thereof, comprises a display device having a segment of a functional game table, and display means attached to the segment for providing information about the segment to a viewer. A base may be attached to the segment of a functional game table and the display means may include a surface providing textual information regarding the game table. The display means may include a sample of a portion of the game table. In some embodiments, the segment of a functional game table is taken along a longitudinal axis of the table. In other embodiments, the segment of a functional game table is taken along a transverse axis of the table. The functional game table may be a pool table, a foosball table, a hockey game table, or another game table.
Referring now to
In the present embodiment, the game table segment 102 will be attached to a display device 104. The display device 104 provides information and/or displays equipment samples related to the game table segment 102. In the present embodiment, a base 106 is provided that may attach to the display device 104. In some embodiments, legs 110 associated with the game table segment 102 will also contact the base 106. The base 106 may be decorated with tiles, carpet, or other decorations to reflect a game table environment. In some embodiments, the base 106 provides a horizontal floor surface 108. In some embodiments, the base 106 may be provided with short legs 107 or placed on a forklift pallet for easier transport and placement.
It can be seen that the display device 104 in the present embodiment provides a vertical surface 105 upon which an information area 112 may be provided for viewing. The information area 112 may provide textual information relating to the game table segment 102. This information may include, but is not limited to, information regarding the structure of the segment 102, the materials of its construction, and/or the game and functionality of the display segment 102.
In some embodiments, product samples may also be provided on the information area 112. The samples may include game balls 114, game handle samples 116, and/or wood or other material samples 118. In this way, a customer viewing the display 100 will be able to see and appreciate not only the hardware and features of the display table 102, but also optional or additional hardware that may be available for purchase. As mentioned, textual information may be provided on the display device 104. In addition, photographs or diagrams shown at 120 may also be provided. The diagrams 120 may provide information relating to the structure of the game table 102, rules of game play, and/or other optional features.
It can be seen with reference to
In the present example, it can be seen that display device 100 comprises a display device 104 attached to a game table segment 102 and to a base 106. However, since the game table segment 102 is a pool table, different features will be provided for the customer to review. Those include, but are not limited to, a slate surface 206, cushions 204, a ball return 208, a cue ball collection 210, and a cue stick collection 212. As can be seen, some of the samples (cue sticks 212 and game balls 210) will be placed on the display device 104. The features and highlights of the game table 102 combined with the hardware and material samples provided on the display device 104 will allow a customer to see and evaluate a full range of options available for the game table 102 without resorting only to pictures or miniaturized displays.
Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the claims.
