Merchandise display

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6808146
  • Patent Number
    6,808,146
  • Date Filed
    Friday, May 31, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, October 26, 2004
    20 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • King; Anita M.
    Agents
    • Rolance, Abrams, Berdo & Goodman L.L.P.
Abstract
A merchandise display, comprising a substantially planar display board having the form of a profile of a human head including a headwear portion, a head portion, and a neck portion. Merchandise is mounted to the display board. The merchandise includes a main section and a strap. The strap engages the headwear portion of the display board. The main section is suspended from the strap and covers a part of the head portion, thereby displaying the merchandise on the display board as the merchandise would appear in normal use.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to a display for merchandise. More specifically, the present invention relates to a merchandise display that displays the merchandise on a board having the shape of a human profile so that the merchandise is displayed as it would appear in normal use.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Conventional merchandise displays typically either hang or package the merchandise. Hung merchandise commonly includes a tag with some type of identifying and/or instructional indicia. Packaged merchandise usually includes a label or insert with the identifying and/or instructional indicia placed within the package or attached to the outside of the package.




However, these conventional merchandise displays fail to provide the consumer with an accurate and complete visual indication of what the merchandise being displayed is and how it is used. A consumer must instead read the merchandise tag or package label to determine what the merchandise is and what it is used for. This often prevents the consumer from obtaining information about the merchandise prior to purchase. Moreover, conventional merchandise displays are often expensive requiring elaborate packaging or display materials.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a merchandise display that allows a consumer to clearly see what the merchandise is and how it is used.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a merchandise display that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.




The foregoing objects are basically attained by a merchandise display, comprising a substantially planar display board that has the form of a profile of a human head with a headwear portion, a head portion, and a neck portion. Merchandise is mounted to the display board. The merchandise includes a main section and a strap. The strap is mounted to the headwear portion of the display board with the main section being suspended from the strap and covering a part of the head portion, thereby displaying the merchandise on the display board as the merchandise would appear in normal use.




The foregoing objects are also basically attained by a merchandise display, comprising a substantially planar display board that has the form of a profile of a human head with a headwear portion that has the shape of a cap including a bill, a head portion, a neck portion, and first and second opposing side edges. Indicia is disposed on a display side of the display board. Merchandise is mounted to the display board. The merchandise includes a flexible main section and a flexible strap extending from a top edge of the main section. The strap is mounted to the headwear portion of the display board and engages the first side edge thereof. The top edge of the main section engages the second side edge of the display board. The main section is suspended from the strap and covers the second side edge of the display board at the head portion, thereby displaying the merchandise on the display board as the merchandise would appear in normal use.




By fashioning a merchandise display in this manner, a potential consumer can see the merchandise as it would appear in normal use, such as a sun shade worn over a cap of a wearer, providing protection for the ears and back of the neck of the wearer.




Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with annexed drawings, discloses the preferred embodiments of the present invention.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




Referring to the drawings which form a part of this disclosure:





FIG. 1

is a side elevational view of a merchandise display in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, showing merchandise displayed on a display board;





FIG. 2

is a side elevational view of the display board illustrated in

FIG. 1

, showing the display board without the merchandise displayed thereon;




FIG.


3


. is a side elevational view of the merchandise illustrated in

FIG. 1

, showing a first side of the merchandise;




FIG.


4


. is a side elevational view of the merchandise illustrated in

FIG. 1

, showing a second side of the merchandise;





FIG. 5

is a top plan view of the merchandise display illustrated in

FIG. 1

, showing a folded portion of the merchandise when mounted on the display board;





FIG. 6

is a top plan view of the merchandise display of the present invention, showing a folded portion in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;





FIG. 7

is a side elevational view of the merchandise display in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, showing merchandise displayed on a display board;





FIG. 8

is a side elevational view of the display board illustrated in

FIG. 7

, showing the display board without the merchandise displayed thereon; and





FIG. 9

is a top plan view of the merchandise display illustrated in

FIG. 7

, showing a folded portion of the merchandise when mounted on the display board.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




Referring to

FIGS. 1-5

, a merchandise display


10


in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention generally includes a display board


12


with a piece of merchandise or a product


14


, such as a sun shade, mounted thereto. Display board


12


is in the form of a human profile with a cap worn thereon allowing display of sun shade


14


as it would generally appear in normal use. Display


10


is preferably supported or hung via aperture


17


in display board


12


, however, any known support can be used such as a stand.




Display board


12


includes a display side


16


and a back side


18


opposite display side


16


. Opposite first and second side edges


20


and


22


and opposite top and bottom edges


24


and


26


define the outer perimeter of display board


12


. Display board


12


includes a headwear portion


28


generally near top edge


24


, a neck portion


30


generally near bottom edge


26


, and a head portion


32


located between headwear portion


28


and neck portion


30


so that display board


12


depicts the profile of a human head with headwear, such as a cap, worn thereon.




As best seen in

FIG. 2

, headwear portion


28


of display board


12


is preferably in the shape of a conventional cap


34


including a bill


36


. Head portion


32


includes an outline of a human face


38


at the first side edge


20


of display board


12


, and includes an outline of the back of a human head


40


at the second side edge


22


. Indicia


42


is disposed on the display side


16


of display board


12


. Indicia


42


can include an outline of cap


34


and bill


36


at head portion


28


, but can be any type of indicia such as identifying or instructional indicia. Also, indicia


44


is disposed on neck and head portions


30


and


32


on the display side


16


of board


12


. Indicia


44


is preferably identifying or instructional indicia but can be any type of indicia. Display side


16


is preferably colored to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.




Display board


12


is preferably substantially planar and made of a semi-rigid material, such as plastic or cardboard. Display board


12


is preferably formed as a unitary one-piece board and has a length defined between top and bottom edges


24


and


26


at a center line


46


of about 12 to 14 inches and a width defined between edges


20


and


22


at a line


48


traverse to center line


46


of about 7 to 9 inches. However, the length and width of display board


12


can be any dimension desired.




First and second notches


50


and


52


are disposed on display board


12


at headwear portion


28


for supporting sun shade


14


. Specifically, first notch


50


is located at first side edge


20


of board


12


adjacent bill


36


and second notch


52


is located at second side edge


22


opposite bill


36


. First and second notches


50


and


52


are shaped to accommodate portions of sun shade


14


.




As best seen in

FIGS. 1

,


3


and


4


, sun shade


14


includes a main section


56


and a strap


58


extending therefrom. Main section


56


has a top edge


60


from which strap


58


extends, a bottom curved edge


62


, and two side edges


64


. Main section


56


is preferably made of a flexible material, such as fabric. The fabric preferably substantially blocks ultraviolet rays. Strap


58


is preferably made of a flexible material, such as fabric, and also includes elastic material allowing adjustability in strap


58


. Strap preferably includes a fastener


66


, such as hook and loop, that releasably engages a corresponding fastener


68


on the top edge


60


of main section


56


.




As best seen in

FIG. 5

, a first part


70


of sun shade main section


56


covers the display side


16


of display board


12


and a second part


72


covers a back side


18


. First part


70


is substantially smaller than second part


72


. This allows second part


72


to be folded and fastened or clipped so that sun shade


14


is securely mounted on display board


12


. In particular, part


72


includes a folded portion


78


that has a first fold


80


overlapping a second fold


82


. First and second fasteners


84


and


86


couple the first and second folds


80


and


82


. First and second fasteners


84


and


86


are preferably clips that grab the folds


80


and


82


, respectively, between arms


90


of the clips.




Referring to

FIGS. 1 and 5

, sun shade


14


is displayed on display board


12


by placing strap


58


in first notch


50


and top edge


60


of sun shade main section


56


in second notch


52


and attaching strap fastener


66


with main section fastener


68


. Strap


58


is disposed around both the display side


16


and the back side


18


of board


12


with main section


56


being suspended from strap


58


. Main section


56


covers second side edge


22


of board


12


with the first part


70


of main section


56


covering a portion of board display side


16


from second side edge


22


(i.e. back of the head) to about center line


46


leaving first side edge


20


(i.e. face outline) exposed.




The second part


72


of main section


56


covers the back side


18


of board


12


. Second part


72


is then folded at folded portion


78


and clipped to secure sun shade


14


to display board


12


. Specifically, first fold


80


is folded over second fold


82


so that first fold


80


is on the outside of second fold


82


. First and second fasteners


84


and


86


are then clipped to first and second folds


80


and


82


.




By displaying sun shade


14


in this manner, a potential consumer can see the sun shade prior to purchase as it would appear in normal use, i.e. the sun shade strap


58


worn over a cap of a wearer, so that the sun shade main section


56


covers the ears and the back of the neck of the wearer to protect against the environment, such as ultraviolet rays or rain. Although it is preferable to display a sun shade, display board


12


can be used to display any type of merchandise to be worn on the head of a wearer.




Second Embodiment of

FIG. 6






As seen in

FIG. 6

, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, merchandise display


110


is substantially identical to merchandise display


10


of the first embodiment except for the fold used to secure a sun shade


114


to a display board


112


. In particular, like sun shade


14


of the first embodiment, a first part


170


of the main section


156


of sun shade


114


covers the display side


116


of display board


112


and a second part


172


covers a back side


118


. First part


170


is substantially smaller than second part


172


. This allows second part


172


to be folded and fastened or clipped so that sun shade


114


is securely mounted on display board


112


. In particular, part


172


includes a folded portion


178


that has only one fold


180


overlapping second part


172


. A single fastener


184


couples the fold


180


to part


172


. Fastener


184


is preferably a clip that grabs fold


180


, between arms


190


of the clip.




Sun shade


114


is displayed on display board


112


in the same manner as described above with respect to the first embodiment except for securing sun shade


114


to display board


112


. Specifically, the second part


172


of main section


156


covers the back side


118


of board


112


. Second part


172


is then folded at folded portion


178


and clipped to secure sun shade


114


to display board


112


. More specifically, fold


180


is folded over part


172


so that fold


180


is on the outside of part


172


. Fastener


184


is then clipped to fold


180


and part


172


.




Third Embodiment of

FIGS. 7-9






Referring to

FIGS. 7-9

, a merchandise display


210


in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention generally includes a display board


212


with a piece of merchandise or a product


214


, such as a sun shade, mounted thereto. Display board


212


is in the form of a human profile with a cap worn thereon allowing display of sun shade


214


as it would generally appear in normal use. Display


210


is preferably supported or hung via aperture


217


in display board


212


, however any known support can be used such as a stand.




Display board


212


includes a display side


216


and a back side


218


opposite display side


216


. Opposite first and second side edges


220


and


222


and opposite top and bottom edges


224


and


226


define the outer perimeter of display board


212


. Display board


212


includes a headwear portion


228


generally near top edge


224


, a neck portion


230


generally near bottom edge


226


, and a head portion


232


located between headwear portion


228


and neck portion


230


so that display board


212


depicts the profile of a human head with headwear, such as a cap, worn thereon.




As best seen in

FIGS. 7 and 8

, headwear portion


228


of display board


212


is preferably in the shape of a conventional cap


234


, such as a stove pipe cap, including a bill


236


. Head portion


232


includes an outline of a human face


238


at the first side edge


220


of display board


212


, and includes an outline of the back of a human head


240


at the second side edge


222


. Indicia


242


is disposed on the display side


216


of display board


212


similar to that of indicia


42


of the first embodiment. Also, indicia


244


is disposed on neck and head portions


230


and


232


on the display side


216


of board


212


. Indicia


244


is similar to that of indicia


44


of the first embodiment. Display side


216


is preferably colored to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.




Display board


212


is preferably substantially planar and made of a semi-rigid material, such as plastic or cardboard. Display board


212


is preferably formed as a unitary one-piece board and has a length defined between top and bottom edges


224


and


226


at a center line


246


and a width defined between edges


220


and


222


at a line


248


traverse to center line


246


. The length and width of display board


12


can be any dimension desired.




Sun shade


214


is substantially identical to sun shade


14


of the first embodiment and includes main section


256


and a strap


258


extending therefrom. Main section


256


has a top edge


260


from which strap


258


extends, a bottom curved edge


262


, and two side edges


264


. Strap preferably includes a fastener


266


, such as hook and loop, that engages a corresponding fastener


268


on the top edge


260


of main section


256


as best seen in FIG.


9


.




A first part


270


of sun shade main section


256


covers the display side


216


of display board


212


and a second part


272


covers a back side


218


. As with the first embodiment, the second part


272


is folded and fastened or clipped so that sun shade


214


is securely mounted on display board


212


. In particular, part


272


includes a folded portion


278


that has a first fold


280


overlapping a second fold


282


. First and second fasteners


284


and


286


couple the first and second folds


280


and


282


. First and second fasteners


284


and


286


are preferably clips that grab the folds


280


and


282


, respectively, between arms (not shown) of the clips.




Referring to

FIGS. 7 and 9

, sun shade


214


is displayed on display board


212


by placing strap


258


around display and back sides


216


and


218


so that strap


258


engages first side edge


220


of display board


212


above bill


236


. Top edge


260


of sun shade main section


256


engages second edge


222


opposite the strap


258


. Strap fastener


266


is then attached to main section fastener


268


. Strap


258


is disposed around both the display side


216


and the back side


218


of board


212


with main section


256


being suspended from strap


258


. Main section


256


covers second side edge


222


of board


212


with the first part


270


of main section


256


covering a portion of board display side


216


from second side edge


222


(i.e. back of the head) to about center line


246


leaving first side edge


220


(i.e. face outline) exposed.




The second part


272


of main section


256


covers the back side


218


of board


212


. Second part


272


is then folded at folded portion


278


and clipped to secure sun shade


214


to display board


212


. Specifically, first fold


280


is folded over second fold


282


so that first fold


280


is on the outside of second fold


282


. First and second fasteners


284


and


286


are then clipped to first and second folds


280


and


282


. By displaying sun shade


214


in this manner, a potential consumer can see the sun shade prior to purchase as it would appear in normal use. Although, it is preferable to display a sun shade, display board


212


can be used to display any type of merchandise to be worn on the head of a wearer.




While particular embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A merchandise display, comprisinga substantially planar display board having the form of a profile of a human head with a headwear portion, a head portion, and a neck portion; and merchandise mounted to said display board, said merchandise including a main section and a strap, said strap being mounted to said headwear portion of said display board with said main section being suspended from said strap and covering a part of said head portion, thereby displaying said merchandise on said display board as said merchandise would appear in normal use, and said display board including opposite first and second side edges, and a first notch for receiving said strap located on one of said first and second side edges.
  • 2. A merchandise display according to claim 1, whereinsaid display board includes a second notch for receiving said main section of said merchandise; and said second notch is located at said headwear portion on one of said first and second side edges.
  • 3. A merchandise display according to claim 1, whereinsaid first side edge has a shape of the profile of a human face; and said main section of said merchandise covers said second side edge of said display board without covering said first side edge.
  • 4. A merchandise display according to claim 1, whereinsaid strap is disposed around said headwear portion on first and second opposing sides of said display board.
  • 5. A merchandise display according to claim 1, whereinsaid display board includes a display side having indicia located thereon.
  • 6. A merchandise display according to claim 5, whereinsaid indicia includes instructions.
  • 7. A merchandise display according to claim 1, whereinsaid main section of said merchandise includes a folded portion at a side of said display board opposite a display side of said display board.
  • 8. A merchandise display according to claim 7, whereinat least one fastener is coupled to said folded portion of said main section.
  • 9. A merchandise display according to claim 1, whereinsaid headwear portion has the shape of a cap including a bill.
  • 10. A merchandise display according to claim 9, whereinsaid notch is located near said bill.
  • 11. A merchandise display according to claim 9, whereinsaid strap is disposed above said bill.
  • 12. A merchandise display according to claim 9, whereinsaid headwear portion includes indicia of markings of a cap.
  • 13. A merchandise display according to claim 1, whereinsaid display board includes a second notch; said strap extends from a top edge of said main section of said merchandise; said strap is received in said first notch; and said top edge is received in said second notch.
  • 14. A merchandise display according to claim 13, whereinsaid first notch is disposed on said first side edge of said display board; and said second notch is located on said second side edge of said display board opposite said first side edge.
  • 15. A merchandise display according to claim 1, whereinsaid merchandise is made of fabric that substantially blocks ultraviolet rays.
  • 16. A merchandise display, comprising:a substantially planar display board having the form of a profile of a human head with a headwear portion having the shape of a cap including a bill, a head portion, a neck portion, and first and second opposing side edges, and indicia disposed on a display side of said display board; and merchandise mounted to said display board, said merchandise including a flexible main section and a flexible strap extending from a top edge of said main section, said strap being mounted to said headwear portion of said display board and engaging said first side edge of said of said display board and said top edge of said main section engaging said second side edge of said display board with said main section being suspended from said strap and covering said second side edge of said display board, thereby displaying said merchandise on said display board as said merchandise would appear in normal use.
  • 17. A merchandise display according to claim 16, whereinsaid display board includes a first notch at said first edge; and said strap is received in said first notch.
  • 18. A merchandise display according to claim 17, whereinsaid display board includes a second notch at said second edge; and said top edge of said main section is received in said second notch.
  • 19. A merchandise display according to claim 16, whereinsaid main section includes a folded portion having at least one fold, said folded portion is disposed a side of said display board opposite said display side of said display board.
  • 20. A merchandise display, comprising:a substantially planar display board having the form of a profile of a human head with a headwear portion, a head portion, and a neck portion; and merchandise mounted to said display board, said merchandise including a main section and a strap, said main section having a folded portion at a side of said display board opposite a display side of said display board, and said strap being mounted to said headwear portion of said display board with said main section being suspended from said strap and covering a part of said head portion, thereby displaying said merchandise on said display board as said merchandise would appear in normal use.
  • 21. A merchandise display according to claim 20, whereinsaid display board includes opposite first and second side edges; said first side edge has a shape of the profile of a human face; and said main section of said merchandise covers said second side edge of said display board without covering said first side edge.
  • 22. A merchandise display according to claim 20, whereinsaid strap is disposed around said headwear portion on first and second opposing sides of said display board.
  • 23. A merchandise display according to claim 20, whereinsaid display board includes a display side having indicia located thereon.
  • 24. A merchandise display according to claim 23, whereinsaid indicia includes instructions.
  • 25. A merchandise display according to claim 20, whereinat least one fastener is coupled to said folded portion of said main section.
  • 26. A merchandise display according to claim 20, whereinsaid headwear portion has the shape of a cap including a bill.
  • 27. A merchandise display according to claim 26, whereina notch is located near said bill.
  • 28. A merchandise display according to claim 26, whereinsaid strap is disposed above said bill.
  • 29. A merchandise display according to claim 26, whereinsaid headwear portion includes indicia of markings of a cap.
  • 30. A merchandise display according to claim 20, whereinsaid display board includes a first and second notch; said strap extends from a top edge of said main section of said merchandise; said strap is received in said first notch; and said top edge is received in said second notch.
  • 31. A merchandise display according to claim 30, whereinsaid first notch is disposed on a first side edge of said display board; and said second notch is located on a second side edge of said display board opposite said first side edge.
  • 32. A merchandise display according to claim 20, whereinsaid merchandise is made of fabric that substantially blocks ultraviolet rays.
  • 33. A merchandise display, comprising:a substantially planar display board having the form of a profile of a human head with a headwear portion having the shape of a cap including a bill, a head portion, and a neck portion; and merchandise mounted to said display board, said merchandise including a main section and a strap, said strap being mounted to said headwear portion of said display board with said main section being suspended from said strap and covering a part of said head portion, thereby displaying said merchandise on said display board as said merchandise would appear in normal use.
  • 34. A merchandise display according to claim 33, whereinsaid display board includes opposite first and second side edges; said first side edge has a shape of the profile of a human face; and said main section of said merchandise covers said second side edge of said display board without covering said first side edge.
  • 35. A merchandise display according to claim 33, whereinsaid strap is disposed around said headwear portion on first and second opposing sides of said display board.
  • 36. A merchandise display according to claim 33, whereinsaid display board includes a display side having indicia located thereon.
  • 37. A merchandise display according to claim 36, whereinsaid indicia includes instructions.
  • 38. A merchandise display according to claim 33, whereinsaid main section of said merchandise includes a folded portion at a side of said display board opposite a display side of said display board.
  • 39. A merchandise display according to claim 38, whereinat least one fastener is coupled to said folded portion of said main section.
  • 40. A merchandise display according to claim 33, whereina notch is located near said bill.
  • 41. A merchandise display according to claim 33, whereinsaid strap is disposed above said bill.
  • 42. A merchandise display according to claim 33, whereinsaid headwear portion includes indicia of markings of a cap.
  • 43. A merchandise display according to claim 33, whereinsaid display board includes a first and second notch; said strap extends from a top edge of said main section of said merchandise; said strap is received in said first notch; and said top edge is received in said second notch.
  • 44. A merchandise display according to claim 43, whereinsaid first notch is disposed on a first side edge of said display board; and said second notch is located on a second side edge of said display board opposite said first side edge.
  • 45. A merchandise display according to claim 33, whereinsaid merchandise is made of fabric that substantially blocks ultraviolet rays.
  • 46. A merchandise display, comprising:a substantially planar display board having the form of a profile of a human head with a headwear portion, a head portion, and a neck portion, and having first and second notches; and merchandise mounted to said display board, said merchandise including a main section with a top edge received in said second notch of said display board and a strap extending from said top edge and being mounted to said headwear portion of said display board, said strap being received in said first notch of said display board with said main section being suspended from said strap and covering a part of said head portion, thereby displaying said merchandise on said display board as said merchandise would appear in normal use.
  • 47. A merchandise display according to claim 46, whereinsaid first notch is disposed on a first side edge of said display board; and said second notch is located on a second side edge of said display board opposite said first side edge.
  • 48. A merchandise display according to claim 46, whereinsaid merchandise is made of fabric that substantially blocks ultraviolet rays.
  • 49. A merchandise display according to claim 46, whereinsaid display board includes a display side having indicia located thereon.
  • 50. A merchandise display according to claim 46, whereinsaid headwear portion has the shape of a cap including a bill.
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