Patent Application
20250017394
This disclosure relates to an adjustable support member for a display fixture.
Display fixtures, such as spinner display fixtures utilized in grocery stores, convenience stores and other retail locations, provide a portable and convenient assembly for displaying merchandise in a manner that is accessible and visible to consumers. Spinner display fixtures support a large inventory with a relatively small footprint and may be configured to display a variety of products, such as single serve food items, sunglasses, greeting cards, and the like. As such, spinner display fixtures are commonly positioned in high traffic areas of retail locations to encourage consumers to interact with the display and browse the merchandise offerings.
Spinner display fixtures may require frequent restocking and reconfiguration to accommodate different products. Known spinner display fixtures are typically provided with a number of rotatable racks or supports arranged at fixed positions along the spinner display fixture. While suitable for displaying a single product type, these spinner display fixtures lack the ability to easily accommodate different types and sizes of products. Thus, a store must either replace the entire spinner display fixture to properly display goods or attempt to stock products using racks that do not properly accommodate such products.
One aspect of the disclosure provides a display fixture. The display fixture includes a central pillar and a merchandise rack disposed along the central pillar and configured to support merchandise. A support member axially supports the merchandise rack along the central pillar. The support member includes a quick-release mechanism. The quick-release mechanism is adjustable between an engaged state, where the support member is not movable along the central pillar to secure a position of the support member and the merchandise rack along the central pillar, and a disengaged state, where the support member is movable along the central pillar for adjusting the position of the support member and the merchandise rack along the central pillar.
Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the support member includes a collar. The collar defines an axial passageway and the collar accommodates the quick-release mechanism. The quick-release mechanism includes a clamp plate and a biasing member. The clamp plate includes an inner cylindrical surface defining an axial passage of the clamp plate and the biasing member biases the quick-release mechanism toward the engaged state. The central pillar extends through the axial passageway of the collar and the axial passage of the clamp plate.
In further implementations, the collar includes a bearing surface. The merchandise rack is pivotable about the central pillar and along the bearing surface. In some further implementations, the bearing surface extends from an upper surface of the collar. In other further implementations, the bearing surface is partially recessed into the upper surface of the collar.
In further implementations, with the quick-release mechanism adjusted to the engaged state, the axial passage of the clamp plate is not axially aligned with the central pillar and the inner cylindrical surface at least partially engages the central pillar to secure the position of the support member and the merchandise rack along the central pillar. With the quick-release mechanism adjusted to the disengaged state, the axial passage of the clamp plate is moved toward axial alignment with the central pillar and the inner cylindrical surface is moved away from engagement with the central pillar for adjusting the position of the support member and the merchandise rack along the central pillar. In some further implementations, with the clamp plate adjusted to the engaged state, the axial passage of the clamp plate is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the central pillar.
In even further implementations, the clamp plate includes a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate. The first clamp plate includes a first cylindrical surface defining a first axial passage of the first clamp plate. The second clamp plate includes a second cylindrical surface defining a second axial passage of the second clamp plate. In some even further implementations, with the quick-release mechanism adjusted to the engaged state, the first axial passage of the first clamp plate is not axially aligned with the second axial passage of the second clamp plate. With the quick-release mechanism adjusted to the disengaged state, the first axial passage of the first clamp plate and the second axial passage of the second clamp plate are moved toward axial alignment with one another and with the central pillar.
In additional even further implementations, the biasing member urges a first end portion of the clamp plate axially along the central pillar to bias the quick-release mechanism toward the engaged state. With the quick-release mechanism adjusted to the engaged state, a second end portion of the clamp plate opposite the first end portion is movable along the central pillar to adjust the quick-release mechanism toward the disengaged state. Optionally, the second end portion of the clamp plate includes a grasping portion that is graspable by a user exterior the collar for manually adjusting the quick-release mechanism between the engaged state and the disengaged state.
Another aspect of the disclosure provides an adjustable support for a display fixture. The adjustable support includes a collar and a quick-release mechanism accommodated by the collar. The collar defines an axial passageway. The quick-release mechanism includes a clamp plate and a biasing member. The clamp plate includes an inner cylindrical surface that defines an axial passage of the clamp plate. With the adjustable support disposed along a central pillar of the display fixture, the central pillar extends through the axial passageway of the collar and the axial passage of the clamp plate, and the clamp plate is adjustable between an engaged state and a disengaged state. With the clamp plate adjusted to the engaged state, the axial passage of the clamp plate is not axially aligned with the central pillar and the inner cylindrical surface at least partially engages the central pillar to secure a position of the adjustable support along the central pillar. With the clamp plate adjusted to the disengaged state, the axial passage of the clamp plate is moved toward axial alignment with the central pillar and the inner cylindrical surface is moved away from engagement with the central pillar for adjusting the position of the adjustable support along the central pillar. The biasing member biases the clamp plate toward the engaged state.
Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, with the adjustable support disposed along the central pillar of the display fixture, the adjustable support axially supports a merchandise rack of the display fixture along the central pillar. In further implementations, the collar includes a bearing surface. The merchandise rack is pivotable about the central pillar and along the bearing surface. In some further implementations, the bearing surface extends from an upper surface of the collar. In other further implementations, the bearing surface is partially recessed into the upper surface of the collar.
Optionally, with the clamp plate adjusted to the engaged state, the axial passage of the clamp plate is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the central pillar.
In some examples, the clamp plate includes a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate. The first clamp plate includes a first inner cylindrical surface defining a first axial passage of the first clamp plate. The second clamp plate includes a second inner cylindrical surface defining a second axial passage of the second clamp plate. In further examples, with the clamp plate adjusted to the engaged state, the first axial passage of the first clamp plate is not axially aligned with the second axial passage of the second clamp plate. With the clamp plate adjusted to the disengaged state, the first axial passage of the first clamp plate and the second axial passage of the second clamp plate are moved toward axial alignment with one another and with the central pillar.
In some implementations, the biasing member urges a first end portion of the clamp plate axially along the central pillar to bias the clamp plate toward the engaged state. With the clamp plate adjusted to the engaged state, a second end portion of the clamp plate opposite the first end portion is movable along the central pillar to adjust the clamp plate toward the disengaged state. In further implementations, the second end portion of the clamp plate comprises a grasping portion that is graspable by a user exterior the collar for manually adjusting the clamp plate between the engaged state and the disengaged state.
The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
Spinner display fixtures are used in a retail location for supporting and displaying merchandise in a manner that is accessible and visible to consumers. Spinner displays include a base and a pole or pillar extending vertically from the base. One or more display structures, such as a wire rack, extend radially from the pole and are arranged along the pole, spaced between the base and an upper end of the pole. Products are supported at the one or more display structures and the one or more display structures may be rotatable or pivotable about the pole, allowing consumers to spin the display structure and view and access different products.
However, the one or more display structures are commonly secured in fixed positions along the pole. Thus, adjusting positions of the one or more display structures along the pole, such as to accommodate differently sized products between the display structures, may be a tedious process that provides a limited number of configurations. Thus, a display fixture with an adjustment mechanism that is easy to manipulate allows retailers to quickly and conveniently replenish, replace and reconfigure products at the display fixture, providing more attractive, varied, and functional displays to consumers.
Referring to
The display fixture 100 may support a variety of product support elements 200. In the illustrated example, the display fixture 100 supports a first merchandise rack 200, 200a, a second merchandise rack 200, 200b, and a third merchandise rack 200, 200c along the central pillar 106. Each of the first merchandise rack 200a, the second merchandise rack 200b, and the third merchandise rack 200c includes a cylindrical body or central band 202 disposed along the central pillar 106 and a plurality of parallel tines or arms 204 configured to extend substantially perpendicular to and spaced from the central pillar 106. Products may be supported along the respective tines 204 and spaced from the central pillar 106. Further, the display fixture 100 supports a carousel member 200, 200d and a basket member 200, 200e along the central pillar 106. As shown in
The respective merchandise racks 200 are axially supported along the central pillar 106 by respective support members 300, where each support member 300 is secured at a position along the central pillar 106 so that the merchandise rack 200 rests on the support member 300. Each merchandise rack 200 is rotatable about the central pillar 106 relative to the support member 300. For example, with the central pillar 106 extending through the cylindrical body 202 of the merchandise rack 200, the merchandise rack 200 may rotate freely about the central pillar 106. Optionally, a rotational bearing, such as a ball bearing or roller bearing, may be disposed along or within the cylindrical body 202 with the central pillar 106 extending through the bearing to enable rotation of the merchandise rack 200 about the central pillar 106. For example, the collar 202 of the carousel member 200d includes a bearing for rotating about the shaft or central pillar 106.
Referring to
The housing body 302 accommodates the quick-release mechanism 316, with the quick-release mechanism 316 selectably engaging the central pillar 106 extending through the support member 300 to secure and release the support member 300 at its position along the central pillar 106. That is, the quick-release mechanism 316 is adjustable between an engaged state and a disengaged state. With the support member 300 disposed at a position along the central pillar 106 and the quick-release mechanism 316 adjusted to the engaged state, the quick-release mechanism 316 engages the central pillar 106 so that the support member 300 is not movable in the axial direction along the central pillar 106 and the support member 300 and merchandise rack 200 are secured at the axial position along the central pillar 106. With the quick-release mechanism 316 adjusted to the disengaged state, the quick-release mechanism 316 is moved away from engagement with or disengages from the central pillar 106 so that the support member 300 is movable in the axial direction along the central pillar 106 for slidably adjusting the position of the support member 300 and the merchandise rack 200 along the central pillar 106.
The quick-release mechanism 316 includes one or more clamp members or clamp plates 318, 318a-b, such as a first clamp plate 318, 318a and a second clamp plate 318, 318b, and a biasing member 320 received within the housing body 302. Each clamp plate 318 includes a respective axial passage 322, 322a-b, a respective first end portion or tab or engagement portion 324, 324a-b, and a respective second end portion or lever or handle portion 326, 326a-b. Each axial passage 322 extends along a respective axis 328, 328a-b of the clamp plate 318 (e.g., that extends generally perpendicular to a plane of the clamp plate 318) and is defined by a respective inner cylindrical surface 330, 330a-b of the clamp plate 318.
The first clamp plate 318a and the second clamp plate 318b are vertically stacked or aligned with one another and oriented within the housing body 302 such that the first axial passage 322, 322a of the first clamp plate 318a and the second axial passage 322, 322b of the second clamp plate 318b are at least partially aligned with the axial passageway 312 of the housing body 302. Further, in the illustrated example, the biasing member 320 provides a coil spring that at least partially circumscribes the axial passageway 312. Thus, with the support member 300 disposed along the central pillar 106, the central pillar 106 extends along the axial passageway 312 of the housing body 302, along the first axial passage 322a of the first clamp plate 318a, and along the second axial passage 322b of the second clamp plate 318b, with the biasing member 320 at least partially circumscribing the central pillar 106.
As shown in
To assemble the support member 300, the first clamp plate 318a and the second clamp plate 318b are inserted through a first window 332 in the housing body 302 such that the first handle portion 326a and the second handle portion 326b extend through a second window 334 at an opposite side of the housing body 302 from the first window 332. That is, the housing body 302 includes the first window 332 for pass-through of components during installation and assembly of the support member 300. The biasing member 320 is positioned within the housing body 302 below the clamp plates 318, such as between the second clamp plate 318b and a lower inner surface 336 of the housing body 302, so as to urge the clamp plates 318 upward toward an upper inner surface 338 of the housing body 302. The axial passage 322 of the clamp plate 318 is at least partially aligned with the axial passageway 312 of the housing body 302.
With the assembled support member 300 disposed at the central pillar 106, the biasing member 320 biases the quick-release mechanism 316 toward the engaged state, and thus urges the tab portion 324 of the clamp plate 318 along the central pillar 106 and toward the upper inner surface 338 of the housing body 302. With the tab portion 324 biased toward engagement with the upper inner surface 338 of the housing body 302, the biasing member 320 allows the handle portion 326 to fall within the second window 334 of the housing body 302 such that the clamp plate 318 is angled or tilted relative to the longitudinal axis 314 of the axial passageway 312 and the central pillar 106. That is, with the quick-release mechanism 316 adjusted to the engaged state, the axis 328 of the clamp plate 318 is angled or tilted relative to the longitudinal axis 314 of the axial passageway 312 and thus not axially aligned with the central pillar 106. This causes the inner cylindrical surface 330 of the clamp plate 318 to at least partially engage the central pillar 106 to secure the position of the support member 300 (and the merchandise rack 200) along the central pillar 106. With the inner cylindrical surface 330 engaging the central pillar 106, the gravitational pull of the support member 300 and the merchandise rack 200 urges the clamp plate 318 further toward an angled and engaged state, creating a secure engagement between the support member 300 and the central pillar 106.
Although shown as a coil spring, it should be understood that any suitable biasing member 320 may be utilized with the support member 300. For example, the biasing member 320 may include a flat spring, a spiral spring, a torsion spring, a wave spring, and the like. Optionally, a second biasing member biases the handle portion 326 of the clamp plate 318 in an opposite direction from the biasing force applied by the biasing member 320 on the tab portion 324. That is, the handle portion 326 may be biased downward so as to further urge the clamp plate 318 toward the angled and engaged state relative to the central pillar 106.
Tilting of the clamp plate 318 relative to the axial passageway 312 in the engaged state may also cause a partial offset between the first clamp plate 318a and the second clamp plate 318b such that the first passage 322a and the second passage 322b are non-concentric in the engaged state. Put another way, with the quick-release mechanism 316 adjusted to the engaged state, the first axial passage 322a of the first clamp plate 318a is not axially aligned with the second axial passage 322b of the second clamp plate 318b. Thus, the first cylindrical surface 330a and the second cylindrical surface 330b may both engage the outer surface of the central pillar 106 in the engaged state.
To adjust the quick-release mechanism 316 from the engaged state to the disengaged state, the user grasps the handle portion 326 of the clamp plate 318 and moves the handle portion 326 upward along the second window 334 of the housing body 302, such as toward the upper inner surface 338 of the housing body 302 and a tab or handle portion 340 of the housing body 302. Moving the handle portion 326 toward the upper inner surface 338 of the housing body 302, with the tab portion 324 already biased toward the upper inner surface 338, moves the axial passage 322 toward axial alignment with the central pillar 106 and the axial passageway 312 of the housing body 302 so that the inner cylindrical surface 330 disengages from the central pillar 106 and the support member 300 is free to move along the central pillar 106. In other words, with the quick-release mechanism 316 adjusted to the disengaged state, the axial passage 322 of the clamp plate 318 is moved toward axial alignment with the central pillar 106 and the inner cylindrical surface 330 is moved away from engagement with the central pillar 106 for adjusting the position of the support member 300 and the merchandise rack 200 along the central pillar 106. Further, the first axial passage 322a of the first clamp plate 318a and the second axial passage 322b of the second clamp plate 318b are moved toward axial alignment with one another and with the central pillar 106.
Thus, the handle portion 326 of the clamp plate 318 is graspable by the user exterior the housing body 302 for manually adjusting the quick-release mechanism 316 between the engaged state and the disengaged state. When the user moves the clamp plate 318 toward the disengaged state such that the axial passage 322 of the clamp plate 318 is moved toward alignment with the central pillar 106, the support member 300 and thus the merchandise rack 200 move freely along the central pillar 106. When the user releases the clamp plate 318, the axial passage 322 moves out of alignment with the central pillar 106 and the inner cylindrical surface 330 engages the central pillar 106 to secure the position of the support member 300 and the merchandise rack 200 at the current position along the central pillar 106. The handle portion 340 of the housing body 302 provides a graspable handle for the user to slide the support member 300 and the merchandise rack 200 along the central pillar 106 when the quick-release mechanism 316 is in the disengaged state.
Because the quick-release mechanism 316 is biased toward the engaged state and requires only a simple, upward motion to move from the engaged state to the disengaged state, the support member 300 provides a quick, easy, and infinitely variable method for moving and supporting the merchandise rack 200 at the display fixture 100. Further, the quick-release mechanism 316 provides a superior level of support at the display fixture 100. For example, with the clamp plate 318 engaged with the central pillar 106, the support member 300 may support 50 pounds or more, 75 pounds or more, 85 pounds or more, and the like. The central pillar 106 may include a textured finish, such as a powder coating or other exterior finish, so that the clamp plate 318 may form a stronger engagement with the central pillar 106 as compared to, for example, a chrome plated pole. That is, the central pillar 106 may be powder coated as the clamp 318 grasps or engages the powder coated central pillar 106 better as compared to a chrome plated pole. For example, the clamp 318 may support up to 85 pounds or more without moving along the central pillar 106.
With the support member 300 secured at the position along the central pillar 106, the support member 300 axially supports the merchandise rack 200 that rests along the upper outer surface 306 of the housing body 302. Further, the merchandise rack 200 is pivotable about the central pillar 106 and along the upper outer surface 306 of the housing body 302 such that the upper outer surface 306 provides a bearing surface for the merchandise rack 200. That is, the upper outer surface 306 may provide a smooth or flat upper bearing surface that allows the merchandise rack 200 to pivot or slide along the bearing surface while pivoting about the central pillar 106.
Referring to
Referring to
In some examples, the merchandise rack 200 is integrally formed with the housing body 302 of the support member 300, such that the tines 204 extend from the housing body 302. Thus, the merchandise rack 200 and the support member 300 with the integrated quick-release mechanism 316 may be assembled onto the central pillar 106 of the display fixture 100 as a singular mechanism or assembly. The merchandise rack portion of the integrated assembly may pivot relative to the housing body portion, such as via a bearing or upper bearing surface connecting the merchandise rack portion and the housing body portion.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.
A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
This U.S. patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/512,975, filed on Jul. 11, 2023. The disclosure of the prior application is considered part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63512975 | Jul 2023 | US |
