BACKGROUND
Retail stores use a variety of display fixtures to present products to customers for purchase. These display fixtures can support the product, indicate the product price, include signage for highlighting the product and/or include structures that hold samples of the product. Exemplary display structures include shelves, trays, racks, peg hooks and other similar structures.
The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
SUMMARY
A retail display unit includes a plurality of clear tubes, a plurality of clear inserts and a plurality of strings of lights. The plurality of clear tubes are positioned substantially adjacent to each other and each have a length. The plurality of clear inserts are each positioned inside one of the plurality of clear tubes and extend the length of each of the plurality of clear tubes. Each clear insert includes a first end that corresponds with a first end of each clear tube and an opposing second end that corresponds with an opposing second end of each clear tube. The plurality of strings of lights are continuously wrapped around and engaged with the first and second ends of the plurality of clear inserts.
A retail display unit includes a shell having a first flange, a back wall and a second flange. The first flange includes at least one circular cutout. At least one transparent tube extends between the second flange and the first flange and is located through the circular cutout in the first flange. At least one transparent insert is positioned inside the transparent tube and extends a length of the transparent tube. The transparent insert includes a first end that corresponds with a first end of the transparent tube and an opposing second end that corresponds with an opposing second end of the transparent tube. A string of lights is continuously wrapped around and engaged with the first and second ends of the clear insert.
A method of replacing a string of lights in a string light retail display unit includes removing a clear insert through a first end of one of a plurality of clear tubes positioned substantially adjacent to each other. The string of lights is wrapped around first and second ends of the clear insert. The string of lights is unwound from the clear insert. A replacement string of lights is wrapped around the first and second ends of the clear insert. The clear insert is positioned back through the first end of the one of the plurality of clear tubes so that the clear insert is positioned in the one of the plurality of clear tubes.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retail display unit including a plurality of strings of lights on display according to one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is the perspective view of FIG. 1, but with the plurality of strings of lights removed.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the retail display unit illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a left side view of the retail display unit illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the retail display unit illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of an end divider of the retail display unit in FIGS. 1 and 2 according to one embodiment.
FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of a middle divider of the retail display unit according to one embodiment.
FIG. 8 illustrates a left side view of a clear tube of the retail display unit in FIGS. 1 and 2 according to one embodiment.
FIG. 9 illustrates a back view of the clear tube in FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of an insert of the retail display unit in FIGS. 1 and 2 in an unbent configuration according to one embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an end view of the insert illustrated in FIG. 10 in a bent configuration according to one embodiment.
FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of a top of the retail display unit in FIGS. 1-3 according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The retail display unit described herein provides a dramatic presentation of string lights being offered for sale in a retail store. A plurality of vertically oriented and transparent or clear tubes are placed adjacent to each other or side-by-side and each contain a lit sample string of lights. Each sample string of lights is wrapped around a transparent or clear insert that is located inside one of the tubes. The insert provides a consistent, organized wrap of a string of lights, but appears from the exterior to be a grouping of jumbled lights. The insert also provides store personnel with an easy method of replacing a strand of lights in a tube.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of retail display unit 100 including a plurality of strings of lights on display according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is the perspective view of retail display unit 100, but with the plurality of strings of lights removed. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of retail display unit 100 illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a left side view of retail display unit 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 is a front view of retail display unit 100 illustrated in FIG. 2.
Retail display unit 100 includes a shell 102 having a first or upper flange 104 with a plurality of circular cutouts 105a-i (FIG. 3) that extend through the entirety of first or upper flange 104 from a first or upper surface to a second or lower surface, a back panel 106 and a second or bottom flange 108. Shell 102 (and other structural components of retail display unit 100) can be made of many types of materials including polystyrene, such as a high impact polystyrene (HIPS), and the like. Both upper flange 104 and bottom flange 108 extend forward in a substantially horizontal plane from back panel 106, which is in a substantially vertical plane. Retail display unit 100 also includes a base 107. Like first or upper flange 104, base 107 includes a plurality of circular cutouts 111a-i that extend through the entirety of base 107 from a first or upper surface to a second or lower surface. Base 107 further includes a front panel 113 configured to receive a front label 115. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, base 107 is positioned or located on the first or upper surface of bottom flange 108 so that the plurality of circular cutouts 111a-i in base 107 are aligned with the plurality of circular cutouts 105a-i in upper flange 104.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, each circular cutout 105a-i and 111a-i includes a pair of projections 117a, 117b, 119a and 119b. Pair of projections 117a and 117b protrude into their respective cutouts 105a-i on opposing sides from each other (projections 117a and 117b are called out in circular cutout 105i in FIG. 3). Pair of projections 119a and 119b protrude into their respective cutouts 111a-i on opposing sides from each other (projections 119a and 119b are called out in circular cutout 111i in FIG. 3). Projections 117a and 117b and 119a and 119b will be discussed in more detail below.
Retail display unit 100 further includes a plurality of dividers 110a-j, a plurality of clear or transparent tubes 112a-i, a plurality of clear or transparent inserts 114a-i and a top 127. FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of each end divider 110a and 110j according to one embodiment. End divider 110a is located on the left side of retail display unit 100 and end divider 110j is located on the right side of retail display unit 100. In one embodiment and as illustrated, end dividers 110a and 110j are substantially identical to each other. FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of each middle divider 110b-i according to one embodiment. In one embodiment and as illustrated, middle dividers 110b-i are all substantially identical. Each of dividers 110a-j, including end dividers 110a and 110j and middle dividers 110b-i, has a main body 116, a first end or upper tab 118 that extends upwardly from main body 116 and a second end or lower tab 120 that extends downwardly from main body 116. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, all dividers 110a-j are spaced apart from each other along a length 125 of retail display unit 100 with main bodies 116 of dividers 110a-j extending between a bottom surface 103 of upper flange 104 and a top surface 109 of bottom flange 108. In addition, first end or upper tabs 118 of each divider 110a-j are located in slots 121 (one slot is called out in FIG. 3) that extend through first or upper flange 104 and first end or lower tabs 120 are located in slots 123 (one slot is called out in FIG. 3) that extend through second or bottom flange 108 so that dividers 110a-j remain secured in place.
In between each divider 110a-j includes one of a plurality of transparent or clear tubes that are positioned substantially adjacent to each other. In one embodiment and as illustrated, clear tubes 112a-i are all substantially identical including having a substantially identical length 129. For example, in one embodiment and as illustrated, length 129 can be approximately 23.5 inches, however, other lengths are possible. In one embodiment, each clear tube 112a-i is made of a cold-formed clear PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol). In particular, each clear tube is made of a flat sheet of clear PETG that is bent into a circle and seamed in the back. Such material provides better surface clarity compared to other stock clear or transparent extruded tubing. More specifically, tube 112a is located between dividers 110a and 110b, tube 112b is located between dividers 110b and 110c, tube 112c is located between dividers 110c and 110d, tube 112d is located between dividers 110d and 110e, tube 112e is located between dividers 110e and 110f, tube 112f is located between dividers 110f and 110g, tube 112f is located between dividers 110f and 110g, tube 112g is located between dividers 110g and 110h, tube 112h is located between dividers 110h and 110i and tube 112i is located between dividers 110i and 110j.
FIG. 8 illustrates a left side view of a clear tube 112a-i of retail display unit 100. FIG. 9 illustrates a back view of clear tube 112a-i of retail display unit 100. Each clear tube 112a-i includes a first or top end 122, a second or bottom end 124, a pair of first end or upper mounting slots 126 (both are called out in clear tube 112a in FIG. 3), a pair of second end or lower mounting slots 128 (both are called out in clear tube 112a in FIG. 3), a plurality of first end or upper apertures 130, a plurality of second end or lower apertures 132 and a pair of first end or upper notches 134.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, where tubes 112a-i are part of or assembled in retail display unit 100, and FIG. 3, where tubes 112a-i are in an exploded view, each of tubes 112a-i is positioned through one of plurality of circular cutouts 105a-i in first or upper flange 104 and positioned through one of circular cutouts 111a-i in base 107, which is positioned on second or lower flange 108, so that each tube 112a-i extends between first or upper flange 104 and second or lower flange 108. Each tube 112a-i engages with first or upper flange 104 by each pair of projections 117a and 117b being inserted through one of the pair of first end or upper mounting slots 126 in each tube 112a-i. Likewise, each tube 112a-i engages with base 107 located on second or bottom flange 108 by each pair of projections 119a and 119b being inserted through one of the pair of second end or lower mounting slots 128.
FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view of a clear or transparent insert 114a-i of retail display unit 100 with insert 114a-i in an unbent configuration. FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of the insert 114a-i of retail display unit 100 in a bent configuration. Each insert 114a-i includes a main body 134, a first or upper end 135 and a second or lower end 137, two first end or upper prongs 136a and 136b, two second end or lower prongs 140a and 140b, a first or upper notch 138 and a second or lower notch 142. In one embodiment and as illustrated, main body 134 has a length that is approximately 22⅞ inches. First or upper notch 138 intersects with first end 135 and extends from first end 135 into main body 134. Second or lower notch 142 intersects with second end 137 into main body 134. Two first end or upper prongs 136a and 136b extend from first end 135 with the intersection of first notch 138 with first end being located there between. Two second end or lower prongs 140a and 140b extend from second end 137 with the intersection of second notch 142 with second end 137 being located there between.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, first end or upper prong 136a has a length 144a that is longer than length 144b of first end or upper prong 136b. Second end or lower prongs 140a and 140b, however, have substantially the same length 146, which is shorter than lengths 144a and 144b. As illustrated in FIG. 11 and in the bent configuration, first end or upper prongs 136a and 136b are bent at bend lines 148a and 148b, respectively, so that first end or upper prongs 136a and 136b are bent substantially 90 degrees from main body 134. Bend lines 148a and 148b are in alignment with each other along first end 135 and are configured to bend in directions opposite to each other. Likewise, second end or lower prongs 140a and 140b are bent at bend lines 150a and 150b, respectfully, so that second end or lower prongs 140a and 140b are bent substantially 90 degrees from main body 134. Bend lines 150a and 150b are in alignment with each other along second end 137 and are configured to bend in directions opposite to each other. Because of lower prongs 140a and 140b being shorter in length than upper prongs 136a and 136b, together a span 152 of upper prongs 136a and 136b is greater than a span 154 of lower prongs 140a and 140b.
In one embodiment and as illustrated in FIG. 10, notches 138 and 142 of inserts 114a-i have a circular shape and are for engaging with and holding a string of lights. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a string of lights is continuously wrapped around the lengthwise dimension of each insert 114a-i between first end or upper notch 138 and second end or lower notch 142 before each insert 114a-i is positioned inside or inserted into one of clear tubes 112a-i and extend length 129 of each clear tube 112a-i. In one embodiment and as illustrated in FIG. 1, each string of lights is wrapped twice around the length of main body 134 of each clear insert. However, other amounts are possible depending up on the length of the string. Therefore, each first end 135 of each clear insert corresponds with first end 122 of each clear tube 112a-i and each second end 137 of each clear insert 114a-i corresponds with second end 124 of each clear tube 112a-i.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, span 154 of second end or lower prongs 140a and 140b of each insert 114a-i is small enough to fit inside an inner diameter of each tube 112a-i. Second end or lower prongs 140a and 140b are positioned on and rest on top surface 109 of second or bottom flange 108. As also illustrated in FIG. 3, span 152 of upper prongs 136a and 136b of each insert 114a-i is large enough that upper prongs 136a and 136b extend outside a diameter of each circular cutout 105a-i in first or upper flange 104. In addition, a portion of each of first end or upper prongs 136a and 136b will align with and rest in one of the pair of first end or upper notches in each tube 112a-i. This engagement of first end or upper prongs 136a and 136b of each insert 114a-i with one of the tubes 112a-i and the engagement of each tube 112a-i with base 107 and upper flange 104 secures each clear insert 114a-i in retail display unit 100.
With strings of lights wrapped around clear inserts 114a-i and positioned inside clear tubes 112a-i, dividers 110a-j not only provide structural integrity to shell 102, but also may be black in color so as to isolate each color/bulb type in each clear tube 112a-i and prevent the “bleeding” of neighboring lights. In addition, apertures 130 and 132 in clear tubes 112a-i provide vents or a path of convective airflow inside each clear tube 112a-i in case the temperature of the lights gets too warm. In one embodiment, apertures 130 and 132 are precautionary when the string lights comprise LED lights. In general, LED lights run cool.
FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of top 127 of retail display unit 100 according to one embodiment. Top 127 includes an upper flange 160 that is oriented substantially horizontal, side flanges 162 and 164 and back flange 166. Side flanges 162 and 164 and back flange 166 extend downwardly from upper flange 160. Together upper flange 160, side flanges 162 and 164 and back flange 166 enclose the top of retail display fixture 100 so as to hide the upper portions.
Back flange 166 of top 127 further includes a pair of slots 168 and 170 that intersect with the bottom edge of back flange and terminate at a point that is a distance less than the height of back flange 166. Slot 168 is spaced apart from the left side of back flange 166, but in closer proximity to left side flange 162 than right side flange 164. Slot 170 is spaced apart from a right side of back flange 166, but in closer proximity to right side flange 164 than left side flange 162. Pair of slots 168 and 170 provide a routing for string light cords to move from the inside shell 102 to the outside of shelf 102 so as to connect to a power source. Although not specifically illustrated in the figures, in one embodiment, retail display unit 100 includes a power strip that is mounted to the back of back panel 106 of shell 102, for example by using adhesive tape. In addition, multiple strings of lights from located in the clear tubes can be plugged into each other to form a series. The cord and power plugs from these series of strings of lights are fed out through slots 168 and 170 to the power strip mounted on the back of back panel 106.
When each insert 114a-i holding a wrapping of a string of lights is inserted into each of tubes 112a-i, the string of lights appear to take on a jumbled light effect even though the lights are being held by one of the clear inserts 114a-i in an organized fashion. The entire retail display unit 100 can be secured to and displayed on a retail shelf or other support structure and easily viewed by customers in a retail store. If any of the strings of lights in any of the clear tubes 112a-i need to be swapped out for a different string of lights, this is easily done. The select clear insert 114a-i that holds the string of lights that needs replacing is unplugged and removed from its clear tube 112a-i through the first end or top 122 of one of the clear tubes 112a-i. The string of lights is unwound from clear insert 114a-i. A different string of lights or replacement string of lights is wrapped around the first and second ends of clear insert 114a-i. The clear insert 114a-i is positioned back into tube 112a-i so that the clear insert is again positioned inside the clear tube and also plugged in.
Although elements have been shown or described as separate embodiments above, portions of each embodiment may be combined with all or part of other embodiments described above.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
Patent Grant
10117527
