The present invention relates generally to product display systems, and more particularly to grid wall or panel display systems, wherein a grid panel is supported between adjacent vertical supports, in a commercial and/or retail environment.
Retailers utilize many types of merchandising and display systems to market, display and sell products. Product display systems can be wall mounted, free-standing or floor mounted, and can include a wide number of accessories for shelving, hanging and/or displaying products. In typical retail environments, the ability to efficiently and attractively organize products within a display system is critical to successful merchandising. Indeed, retailers invest significant time and resources setting up and configuring merchandise display fixtures in order to achieve the best product placement and sales conditions in a consumer friendly environment.
A common type of product display system includes a grid-like arrangement that is mounted to a wall or flat surface. Typically, grid wall product display systems include parallel, slotted vertical support members between which grid panels are hung with the use of mounting brackets. Grid wall panels include a plurality of horizontally extending bars and a plurality of vertically extending bars mounted on a frame structure. The grid panel is configured to be used with a number of different accessories, such as baskets, racks, hangers, faceouts and other product display members that secure to the horizontal and/or vertical members of the grid. In order to support the weight of the accessories and products to be displayed, grid wall panels are typically constructed of metal or another rigid material. Such systems are quite large and bulky and, as will be recognized, are extremely heavy.
Accordingly, while grid wall display systems offer a versatile way to configure many different types of products, installation of such systems can require significant time and effort. Due to the size and weight of the grid wall panels, conventional grid wall systems require the grid hanging brackets to be welded or otherwise mechanically fastened to the slotted vertical supports. In turn, the grid wall panel itself is welded or otherwise mechanically fastened to the grid hanging bracket to provide a safe and secure product display system.
The system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,240 to Allen, teaches a grid panel that is secured between adjacent slotted vertical support members using brackets. The brackets must be welded or mechanically fastened, with screws or the like, to the grid panel members. For example, the patent discloses securing grid mounting brackets to the horizontal members of the grid panel prior to installation of the brackets on the vertical supports. The brackets are stationarily secured to the horizontal members by threading screws through the bracket and tightening the screws to the horizontal members. This procedure is repeated for both sides of the grid panel. The grid panel with the brackets attached to each end thereof is then secured to the slotted columns by placing the hook portions of the brackets in a respective slot in the slotted columns. If, for some reason, the brackets are not properly spaced along the horizontal members of the grid panel, the screws must be loosened, the position of the brackets adjusted, and the grid panel and bracket assembly again positioned to engage the slotted vertical members.
Due to the size and weight of most grid walls, installation of the brackets to the slotted columns, with the grid wall already attached, is difficult and cumbersome to maneuver and requires more than one individual to install. In addition, after the grid wall and bracket assembly is secured to the slotted vertical supports, the screws/hardware on the brackets must again be tightened, to ensure the grid panel is properly secured within the system, requiring lengthy set up and disassembly time. Once installed, such a system is not easily reconfigurable when the retail environment is changed or rearranged. Indeed, because the grid wall is mechanically fastened to the bracket, there is no horizontal, e.g. left to right, adjustability of the grid panel when repositioning of the grid panel is required or desired.
Accordingly, a need exists for an attractive and secure grid wall display system that requires less time and resources to install and disassemble. In addition, a need exists for a grid wall merchandising system that allows the grid panels to be easily installed on to and removed from the grid wall brackets, without requiring hardware or fastening devices to ensure the grid is properly secured in place. Also, a grid wall display system having grid wall brackets that are easily installed, repositioned and removed from the vertical supports would also be advantageous.
The present invention provides, in part, product display grid systems and grid panel hanging brackets for use in such display systems. The display system includes a grid panel supported between adjacent, spaced apart vertical support columns by a plurality of grid wall brackets.
The product display grid panel is of the type typically found in commercial, warehouse and/or other conventional retail establishments and may be formed in any number of dimensions and constructions, as will be well known to those skilled in the art. Typically, the grid panel comprises a plurality of spaced vertical parallel members and a plurality of spaced parallel horizontal members connected and arranged to form a grid, onto which a variety of product hangers, displays, signage, shelving, racks and other display accessories may be fastened or removably secured. Preferably, the vertical and horizontal members are perpendicular relative to each other, but the grid panel may include diagonal or other shaped members in addition to and/or intersecting the vertical and horizontal members.
The vertical support columns are substantially identical to each other in construction, and are secured to a wall or another vertical, substantially planar surface of the retail establishment using any type of securing or fastening mechanism, as will known to those skilled in the art. Each of the vertical support columns includes a plurality of spaced-apart, vertically aligned slots, extending longitudinally along the length of the front surface of the vertical support columns. The distance between adjacent slots is determined by the type of columns utilized, and may differ from manufacturer to manufacture, and from system to system, as will be well known to those skilled in the art.
The grid wall brackets of the present invention are configured to secure the grid panel to the vertical support columns without requiring hardware, mechanical fasteners or other external securing devices. The grid wall brackets are provided to support the left and right hand sides of the grid wall panels, and therefore, the grid wall brackets are preferably mirror image of each other, with at least one left hand bracket used to support the left hand side of the grid wall panel on the left hand vertical support column and with at least one right hand bracket used to support the right hand side of the grid wall panel on the right hand vertical support column.
The grid bracket is constructed in a substantially U-shaped or channel configuration, including forwardly projecting right and left hand flanges and a web portion therebetween. The web portion/rear surface of the bracket include a tab that extends from the upper, back edge of the left flange and includes a top projection that extends upward from the tab, an arcuate or curved portion that extends downwardly, terminating in a notch for engaging the slotted vertical support column. The tab is dimensioned to clear and/or be insertable into the slots in the vertical support column when the bracket is pivoted to a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical support column.
The web portion/rear surface of the bracket also includes a stabilization bar that extends from the lower, back edge of the left flange is sufficient long enough to extend through the slots of and engage the vertical support when the bracket is installed. The distance between the tab and the bar can differ from system to system, and depends on the type of vertical supports utilized.
Each of the right and left hand flanges of the brackets extends frontwardly or forwardly from the web portion of the bracket. Each of the flanges comprises an attachment portion for slidably engaging the horizontal members of the grid wall panel. Each attachment portion preferably comprises a plurality of U-shaped support arms, with each of the arms including a recess for receiving the horizontal members of the grid wall panel. The number of arms of the attachment portions can also vary depending on the size, weight and type of grid wall utilized in the system. The recesses formed with each arm are configured to mate with, and securely retain the horizontal members of the grid panel.
The grid wall brackets are installed onto the vertical supports by pivoting the bracket upward at an angle away from the vertical support, in a manner that permits the top projection of the tab to be inserted or clear the slot in the vertical support. The grid wall bracket is then lowered or pivoted downward into position, locking it into place. Once the brackets are properly installed on the vertical support columns, the grid wall panel is placed onto the brackets by lifting the grid panel upwards, orienting it between the vertical supports, and lowering it onto the brackets such that the ends of the horizontal members of the grid panel rest and are slidably secured within the recesses of the brackets.
It will be appreciated that the tab and stabilization bar are sufficiently long enough to prevent the brackets from being removed or slipping out of the slots of the vertical support columns when the grid panel is installed. As such, the present invention provides a product display grid system wherein the grid panel is not mechanically fastened to the grid wall hanging brackets, and therefore is slidably and securely received therein. Such configuration permits the grid panel to be adjusted or moved in either the left or right direction without requiring the use of tools, removal of hardware from the system, removal of the grid panel from the brackets and/or removal of the brackets from the vertical supports. The product display grid system of the present invention therefore permits easy installation, adjustment and removal of the grid wall from the brackets.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can lead to certain other objectives. Each objective may not apply equally, in all instances, to every aspect of the present invention. As such, these and other objects can be viewed in the alternative with respect to any one aspect of the present invention. Other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in this summary and descriptions of the disclosed embodiments, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above as taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom.
A grid wall bracket and grid display system in accordance with the present invention is shown in
Turning first to
The product display grid system 50 of the present invention will be described hereafter as used in a retail establishment. However, it should be noted that the product display grid system 50 also has uses in other environments such as warehouses, product storage locations, offices and the like in which objects are to be supported and displayed. It will also be appreciated that while the display system 50 is illustrated including a single grid panel 56, the present invention can include a plurality of connecting or interlinking grid systems, as will be well known to those skilled in the art.
The grid panel 56 comprises a plurality of spaced vertical members 60 and a plurality of spaced parallel horizontal members 62 connected and arranged to form the grid panel 56. The vertical and horizontal members 60 and 62 respectively have a perpendicular orientation relative to each other. The grid panel 56 may have structural or frame members 64 and 66 located at the top and bottom of the grid panel 56, respectively, to add strength and/or rigidity to the grid wall, depending on the type of construction of the grid wall. As such, consistent with the broader aspects of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the grid panel 56 is not limited to any particular construction, provided that at least a portion of the grid wall includes substantially horizontal members that will be received by the grid wall brackets, as will be explained in more detail below.
In certain preferred embodiments, the vertical and horizontal members 60 and 62 are constructed of metal, cylindrical rods. The diameter of each of the members 60 and 62 is preferably about ¼ inch, but other diameters may also be used. It will be appreciated that the vertical and horizontal members 60 and 62 may be constructed of any substantially rigid material, and can include, but are not limited to, members having square, triangular or oval cross-sectional shapes.
Preferably, the horizontal members 62 are spaced by a distance of about ½ inch and the vertical members 60 are spaced by a distance of about 8 inches. However, it should be noted that the members 60 and 62 can be spaced at various distances. The vertical and horizontal members 60 and 62 can be secured in the desired configuration by welding, adhesives or using mechanical fasteners, such as screws, clips or pins. As described, the grid panel 56 is preferably made up of parallel, equally spaced vertical and horizontal members 60 and 62, respectively. However, it should be noted that the grid panel 56 can have adjacent members 60 and/or 62 that are not equally spaced to provide even more versatility in some applications or the grid panel 56 can be comprised of only horizontal members 62. The grid panel 56, and indeed, the display system 50 can be of varying overall dimensions, depending on the particular application of the display system 50.
Turning now to
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
A stabilization/guide bar 96 also extends rearwardly from the back edge 89 of the flange 84 to provide strength to the bracket and is sufficiently long enough to extend through the slots of and engage the vertical support when the bracket is installed. As will be recognized, the distance between the tab 88 and the bar 96 can vary from system to system, and depends on the type of vertical supports utilized and the distance between the slots on the vertical support and the dimensions of the slots.
The flange 84 extends frontwardly or forwardly from the rear surface 82 of the body 80, can include a bend or slanted portion 100, and terminates in an attachment portion 102. The attachment portion 102 preferably comprises a plurality of U-shaped support arms 104, with each of the arms 104 defining a recess 110 for receiving the horizontal members 62 of the grid panel 56. The flange 86 is substantially planar and extends frontwardly from the rear surface 82 of the body 80 and terminates in an attachment portion 106. Like the attachment portion 104, the attachment portion 106 preferably includes a plurality of U-shaped arms 108, each defining a recess 112 for receiving the horizontal members 62 of the grid panel 56.
Although the attachment portions shown on each bracket are illustrated having three support arms, the number of arms can vary depending on the size, weight and type of grid wall utilized in the system. In addition, it will be appreciated that the size and shape of the recesses 110 and 112 defined by each of the arms 104 and 108, respectively, is determined by the size and shape of the horizontal members 62 of the grid panel 56. As such, the arms 104 and 108, and recesses defined therein, are configured to mate with, and securely retain the horizontal members 62 of the grid panel 56 within the recesses 110 and 112, respectively.
Turning next to
The grid wall bracket 54 is then lowered or pivoted downward until the lower arcuate end 92 of the tab 88 is completely inserted into the slot 74a. As illustrated in
As best illustrated in
It will be appreciated that the grid wall display system and grid hanging brackets of the present invention can be used to removably secure a grid wall, slat wall or other type of display wall to vertically mounted support structures, provided the grid or slat wall is provided, at least in part, with horizontal ends/members that can be supported therein. Further, the display systems and brackets of the present invention can be of any size required by the given application, and are not limited in dimension, as will be well known to those skilled in the art. In addition, how the vertical supports, and therefore, the grid wall system 50, are secured to the retail space can vary according to how the retail space is configured. Further, the system 50 of the present invention can comprise one or a number of grid panels 56 supported between two or more vertical slotted support members depending upon overall dimension and fully loaded weight of the system and/or the needs of the retailer.
In a conventional arrangement utilizing vertical slotted support members, a grid wall display system 150 of the present invention can be adapted for use with double slotted vertical support members 168 and 170, as illustrated in