BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to product displays, and in particular to a product display for roofing products, such as drip edges, W-valleys, perimeter edge flashings, step flashings, gutters, gutter guards, shingle starters, shingles and the like.
Roofing products, such as drip edges, W-valleys, perimeter edge flashings, step flashings, gutters, gutter guards, shingle starters, shingles and the like, are commonly used in conjunction with building construction, and other roofing applications. Heretofore, fixed product displays have been available for the prospective purchasers to view such roofing products being applied to sample building sections. However, such prior displays are generally bulky, and not particularly effective in displaying the roofing products to potential customers.
Hence, it would be beneficial to provide an easily portable product display for roofing products, which accurately and realistically depicts or replicates installation of the same on an actual building.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is a roofing product display kit, having first and second similarly configured miniature building halves shiftable between a folded storage position and an unfolded display position. Each miniature building half has in the display position a hollow interior defined by a vertical sidewall panel, a pitched roof panel fixedly connected with an upper portion of the sidewall panel, a vertical transport base panel fixedly connected with the sidewall panel and the roof panel along first side edges thereof, and a vertical end panel fixedly connected with the sidewall panel and the roof panel along second side edges thereof and oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the transport base panel in the range of 30 to 60 degrees. A hinge extends along and pivotally interconnects adjacent side edges of the end panels of the first and second miniature building halves to facilitate rotation of the miniature building halves between the folded storage position, wherein the transport base panels abut in a coplanar relationship and the roof panels come together in a generally straight plan configuration, and the unfolded display position, wherein the transport base panels are separated in an angular relationship and the roof panels assume a generally L-shaped plan configuration with a roof valley therebetween to facilitate placement of various roofing product samples thereon. A plurality of differently configured roofing product samples are provided, which are shaped for temporary placement on the roof panels in the display position to replicate installation on an actual building, and are stored in the hollow interiors of the first and second miniature building halves in the folded storage position.
Another aspect of the present invention is a roofing product display, having first and second similarly configured miniature building halves shiftable between a folded storage position and an unfolded display position. Each of the building half has in the display position a vertical sidewall panel, a pitched roof panel fixedly connected with an upper portion of the sidewall panel, a vertical transport base panel fixedly connected with the sidewall panel and the roof panel along first side edges thereof, and a vertical end panel fixedly connected with the sidewall panel and the roof panel along second side edges thereof and oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the transport base panel in the range of 30 to 60 degrees. A hinge extends along and pivotally interconnects adjacent side edges of the end panels of the first and second miniature building halves to facilitate rotation of the miniature building halves between the folded storage position, wherein the transport base panels abut in a coplanar relationship and the roof panels come together in a generally straight plan configuration, and the unfolded display position, wherein the transport base panels are separated in an angular relationship and the roof panels assume a generally L-shaped plan configuration with a roof valley therebetween to facilitate the temporary placement of various roofing product samples thereon to replicate installation on an actual building.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for displaying roofing products, which includes forming first and second similarly configured miniature building halves, each with a hollow interior defined by a sidewall panel, a pitched roof panel fixedly connected with an upper portion of the sidewall panel, a transport base panel fixedly connected with the sidewall panel and the roof panel along first side edges thereof, and an end panel fixedly connected with the sidewall panel and the roof panel along second side edges thereof and oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the transport base panel in the range of 30 to 60 degrees. The method further includes pivotally interconnecting adjacent side edges of the end panels of the first and second miniature building halves to facilitate rotation of the miniature building halves between the folded storage position, wherein the transport base panels abut in a coplanar relationship and the roof panels come together in a generally straight plan configuration, and the unfolded display position, wherein the transport base panels are separated in an angular relationship and the roof panels assume a generally L-shaped plan configuration with a roof valley therebetween to facilitate the placement of various roofing product samples thereon. The method also includes providing a plurality of differently configured roofing product samples, and placing the roofing product samples in at least one of the hollow interiors of the first and second miniature building halves for storage therein. The method further includes pivotally shifting the first and second miniature building halves from the folded storage position to the unfolded display position, and removing at least one of the roofing product samples from the one interior of the first and second miniature building halves. The method further includes temporarily placing the one roofing product sample on at least one of the roof panels to replicate installation on an actual building, removing the one roof product sample from the one roof panel, and returning the same to the one interior of the first and second miniature building halves for storage. The method also includes pivotally shifting the first and second miniature building halves from the unfolded display position back to the folded storage position, and detachably locking the first and second miniature building halves together in the folded storage position. Finally, the method further includes pivotally shifting the locked first and second miniature building halves, with stored roofing product samples therein, to a transport position, wherein the transport base panels abuttingly support the folded first and second miniature building halves in a vertically upright fashion for transport to a remote location.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a unique roofing product display and related method which is easily transportable from one site to another, and conveniently stores roofing product samples within the interior thereof. Preferably, the roofing product samples are relatively short segments of full sized roofing products, so as to accurately and realistically depict or replicate installation on an actual building. The roofing product display has an uncomplicated design, and can be easily and quickly reconfigured without tools, even by unskilled personnel. The roofing product display is efficient in use, economical to manufacture, capable of a long operating life, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roofing product display embodying the present invention, shown in a folded storage position, with a portion thereof broken away to reveal roofing product samples stored in the interior thereof.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the roofing product display illustrated in FIG. 1, shown in an unfolded display position, with sample roofing positioned thereon.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a miniature building half portion of the roofing product display.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a display base panel portion of the roofing product display.
FIG. 5 is a top view of an end panel portion of the roofing product display.
FIG. 6 is a top view of a sidewall panel portion of the roofing product display.
FIG. 7 is a side view of a display base panel portion of the roofing product display.
FIG. 8 is a top view of a center wall panel portion of the roofing product display.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a transport base panel portion of the roofing product display.
FIG. 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the roofing product display, shown in the folded storage position.
FIG. 11 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the roofing product display, shown in the unfolded display position.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the roofing product display, shown locked in the folded storage position, and taken from a rear side thereof.
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the roofing product display, shown in the unfolded display position, and taken from a rear side thereof.
FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the roofing product display, shown in the folded storage position.
FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the roofing product display, shown in the unfolded display position, with sample roofing products positioned thereon.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the roofing product display, shown in a transport position, with the miniature building halves locked together in the folded position.
FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the roofing product display, shown in the transport position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “rear”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated roofing product display 1 includes first and second similarly configured miniature building halves 2a, 2b, which are shiftable between a folded storage position, as shown in FIG. 1, and an unfolded display position, as shown in FIG. 2. Each building half 2a,2b has in the display position (FIG. 2) a hollow interior 3a, 3b defined by a vertical sidewall panel 4a, 4b, a pitched roof panel 5a, 5b fixedly connected with an upper portion of sidewall panel 4a, 4b, a vertical transport base panel 6a, 6b fixedly connected with sidewall panel 4a, 4b and roof panel 5a, 5b along adjacent side edges thereof, and a vertical end panel 7a, 7b fixedly connected with sidewall panel 4a, 4b and roof panel 5a, 5b along opposite side edges thereof and oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the transport base panel 6a, 6b in the range of 30 to 60 degrees. A hinge 10 extends along and pivotally interconnects adjacent side edges of the end panels 7a, 7b of the first and second miniature building halves 2a, 2b to facilitate rotation of the miniature building halves 2a, 2b between the folded storage position (FIG. 1), wherein the transport base panels 6a, 6b abut in a coplanar relationship and the roof panels 5a, 5b come together in a generally straight plan configuration, and the unfolded display position (FIG. 2), wherein the transport base panels 6a, 6b are separated in an angular relationship and the roof panels 5a, 5b assume a generally L-shaped plan configuration with a roof valley 11 therebetween to facilitate placement of various roofing product samples thereon. A plurality of differently configured roofing product samples, such as the illustrated roofing product samples 12a-12g, are shaped for temporary placement on roof panels 5a and 5b in the display position (FIG. 2) to replicate installation on an actual building, and are stored in the hollow interiors 3a, 3b of the first and second miniature building halves 2a, 2b in the folded storage position (FIG. 1) to define a roofing product display kit 13.
Since each of the miniature building halves 2a, 2b has a similar construction, the detailed description herein shall relate to building half 2a, with it being understood that building half 2b has similar parts and is similarly constructed. With reference to FIG. 3, the illustrated miniature building half 2a is constructed from six separate panels, which are mutually interconnected to define the hollow interior 3a. More specifically, the illustrated sidewall panel 4a (FIGS. 3 and 6) is a rectangularly-shaped, rigid, flat panel defined by straight side edges 18-21, as well as a flat interior face 22 and a flat exterior face 23 which is parallel therewith. The illustrated roof panel 5a (FIGS. 3 and 9) is a trapezoidally-shaped, rigid, flat panel defined by straight side edges 25-28, as well as a flat interior face 29 and a flat exterior face 30 which is parallel therewith. The illustrated transport base panel 6a (FIGS. 3 and 7) is a generally rectangularly-shaped, rigid, flat panel defined by straight side edges 32-35, as well as a flat interior face 36 and a flat exterior face 37 which is parallel therewith. The straight side edges 34 and 35 of transport base panel 6a are interconnected by a rounded corner 38. The illustrated end panel 7a is a trapezoidally-shaped, rigid, flat panel defined by straight side edges 40-43, as well as a flat interior face 44 and a flat exterior face 45 which is parallel therewith.
Each of the illustrated miniature building halve 2a also includes a center wall panel 50a, 50b which extends vertically in the display position (FIG. 2) and is fixedly connected with the associated roof panel 5a, 5b, the transport base panel 6a, 6b and the end panel 7a, 7b to define at least a portion of the hollows interiors 3a, 3b of the miniature building halves 2a, 2b. The illustrated center wall panel 50a (FIGS. 3 and 8) is a rectangularly-shaped, rigid, flat panel defined by straight side edges 51-54, as well as a flat interior face 55 and a flat exterior face 56 which is parallel therewith. Center wall panel 50a includes an access window 57, which extends completely through center wall panel 50a, and through which the roofing product samples 12a-12g are placed into and removed from the hollow interior 3a of the first miniature building half 2a. In the illustrated example, access window 57 has a generally rectangular shape and is located a spaced apart distance from edge 51, so as to ensure that the product samples 12a, 12b and 12c are securely captured within the interior 3a of building half 2a.
Each of the illustrated miniature building halves 2a, 2b also includes a display base 60a, 60b oriented generally horizontally in the display position (FIG. 2) and fixedly connected with the associated sidewall panel 4a, 4b, end panel 7a, 7b, transport base panel 6a, 6b and center wall panel 50a, 50b to define at least a portion of the hollow interiors 3a, 3b of the miniature building halves 2a, 2b. The illustrated display base panel 60a is a trapezoidally-shaped, rigid, flat panel defined by straight side edges 61-64, as well as a flat interior face 65 and a flat exterior face 66 which is parallel therewith.
As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the edge 19 of sidewall panel 4a is attached to the side edge 63 of display base 60a. The edge 40 of end panel 7a is attached to the edge 62 of display base 60a. The edge 51 of center wall panel 50a is attached to the edge 61 of display base 60a. The edge 32 of transport base panel 6a is attached to the edge 64 of display base 60a. Furthermore, the side edge 20 of sidewall panel 4a is attached to the side edge 43 of end panel 7a, and the opposite edge 18 of sidewall panel 4a is attached to the interior face 36 of transport base panel 6a. The outside edge 35 of transport base panel 6a protrudes outwardly from the exterior face 23 of sidewall panel 4a to provide a secure footing for supporting the roofing product display 1 in the transport position (FIGS. 7 and 8). The side edge 52 of center wall panel 50a is attached to the side edge 41 of end panel 7a, and the opposite side edge 54 of center wall panel 50a is attached to the interior face 36 of transport base panel 6a alongside edge 33. The forward edge 27 of roof panel 5a is attached to the upper edge 42 of end panel 7a, and the rear edge 35 of roof panel 5a is attached to the interior face 36 of transport base panel 6a. The illustrated end panel 7a (FIGS. 3 and 5) includes an elongated, obround-shaped aperture 68 which is adapted for manual grasping, and defines an integral or built-in handle which facilitates transporting roofing product display 1 in the transport position (FIGS. 16 and 17), as discussed below. As noted above, each of the miniature building halves 2a and 2b is similarly constructed from similar panels.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11, 14 and 15, the end panels 7a, 7b are oriented at a predetermined angle relative to their associated transport base panels 6a, 6b, as well as relative to each other. More specifically, end panels 7a, 7b are preferably each oriented at an angle in the range of 30-60 degrees relative to their associated transport base panels 6a, 6b (FIG. 15), such that when miniature building halves 2a and 2b are rotated into the unfolded display position (FIGS. 2, 11 and 15), the exterior faces 45 of end panels 7a, 7b abut, and a typical building roof trough or valley 11 is formed in roof panels 5a, 5b along the angled edges 27 of roof panels 5a, 5b. In the illustrated example, the end panels 7a, 7b are oriented at an angle of around 45 degrees relative to their associated transport base panels 6a, 6b and their associated center wall panels 50a, 50b. With reference to FIG. 3, the angled edge 42 of the end panel 7a is oriented at an angle of around 45 degrees relative to side edge 41 and 135 degrees relative to side edge 43. In the folded storage position (FIGS. 1, 10, 12 and 14), the sidewall panel 4a of miniature building half 2a is oriented 135 degrees from the sidewall panel 4b of miniature building half 2b, such that miniature building halves 2a, 2b are pivoted around 135 degrees about hinge 10 between the folded storage position (FIGS. 1, 10, 12 and 14) and the unfolded display position (FIGS. 2, 11 and 15).
The illustrated hinge 10 is a conventional piano hinge, preferably constructed from a rust-resistant material, and as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, extends along and is attached to the inside edges 41 of end panels 7a and 7b to facilitate rotation of the miniature building halves 2a, 2b between the folded storage position (FIG. 1) and the unfolded display position (FIG. 2).
As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 10-12, a latch 70 is mounted on the exterior faces 37 of transport bases 6a, 6b, and is configured to selectively, yet positively, retain the first and second miniature building halves 2a, 2b locked in the folded storage position (FIG. 1). In the illustrated example, latch 70 is in the nature of double hung window latch, which is mounted in a circular recess 71 formed in the exterior faces 37a, 37b of transport base panels 6a, 6b. The fixed catch 72 of latch 70 is mounted in one half of the recess 71, while the pivoting latch 73 is mounted in the opposite half of recess 71. Rotation of movable latch 73 locks and unlocks the building halves 2a and 2b, so as to prevent and/or permit rotation of the same about hinge 10. As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, latch 70 is preferably fully recessed in recess 71, so as to avoid interference with the ground when roofing product display 1 is shifted into the upright transport position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 12, the illustrated miniature building halves 2a, 2b also include a plurality of feet 77 mounted on the exterior faces 37a, 37b of transport base panel 6a, 6b adjacent opposite corners thereof. Feet 77 protrude outwardly from the exterior surfaces of transport base panel 6a and support the roofing product display 1 in an upright orientation on a support surface to define the transport position, as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17.
The illustrated roofing product samples 12a-12g include relatively short sections or lengths of full sized roofing products, including W-valleys 12a, drip edges 12b, perimeter edge flashings 12c, gutters 12d and gutter protection devices 12e, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,993,870; 6,931,792; 7,137,224 and D559,957 which are incorporated herein by reference, as well as starter shingles 12f, shingles 12g and other similar roofing products, including step flashings and shingle starters (not shown).
In operation, the roofing product samples 12a-12g are stored in the interiors 3a, 3b of miniature building halves 2a, 2b by simply inserting the same through the access windows 57 in the associated center wall panels 50a, 50b. With the miniature building halves 2a, 2b folded together and locked with latch 70, the roofing product display 1 is typically transported in the display position illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, wherein feet 77 are oriented downwardly and abut an associated support surface, and integral handle 68 is oriented upwardly for easily grasping the roofing product display 1 for manual transport. To use the roofing product display 1 at a particular location, the same is placed on a support surface in the upright transport position (FIGS. 16 and 17), and pivoted downwardly 90 degrees out of the transport position to the folded storage position shown in FIGS. 1, 10, 12 and 14, wherein the exterior faces 66 of display bases 60a, 60b are supported on the support surface. Latch 70 is unlocked by rotation of pivoting latch 73, and the miniature building halves 2a, 2b are then mutually rotated about hinge 10 to the unfolded display position shown in FIGS. 2, 11 and 15, wherein the transport base panels 6a, 6b are separated in an angular relationship, and the roof panels 5a, 5b assume a generally L-shaped plan configuration with the roof valley 11 therebetween to facilitate placement of various roofing product samples 12a-12g thereon. The unfolding of building halves 2a, 2b to the unfolded display position-automatically opens or provides access to the roofing product samples 12a-12g through the access windows 57 in center wall panels 50a, 50b. The salesperson then removes the selected roofing product samples 12a-12g from the interiors 3a, 3b of the miniature building halves 2a, 2b, and places the same on and/or along the roof panels 5a, 5b in the unfolded display position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 15, so as to replicate installation on an actual building. Since at least roofing products samples 12a, 12b and 12c are full sized, they provide an accurate visualization and replication of installation on an actual building. When the sale representation is completed, the roofing product samples 12a-12g are returned to storage in the interiors 3a, 3b of the miniature building halves 2a, 2b through insertion of the same through access windows 57 in center wall panels 50a, 50b. The roofing product display 1 is then returned to the folded display position (FIGS. 1, 10 and 12) by rotating miniature building halves 2a, 2b on display bases 60a, 60b about hinge 10. Latch 70 is then locked by rotation of pivoting latch 73, and the folded and locked miniature building halves 2a, 2b are pivoted 90 degrees, which shifts the roofing product display 1 to the upright transport position illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17.
In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
Patent Grant
8021155
