Patent Application
20130146550
Display stands are used for displaying product. To accommodate various types of product packaging, display stands have many different configurations. For example, one type of display stand includes a rack that can be used for hanging clothing products disposed on a hanger. Another type of display stand includes a panel and rods extending outwardly from the panel. Small items, such as accessories, jewelry, gift cards, and computer products, are attached to backers having openings for hanging the product from the rods.
To attract customer attention, in some cases, the display stands include signage or other conspicuous indicia. Other display stands have curved or wavy forms for displaying merchandise in an eye-catching manner. In addition to attracting attention, still other display stands promote customer interest by including low tech interactive components, such as rotating panels or racks, or high tech components, such as interactive displays.
One aspect of the present invention relates to an assembly for selective coupling to a vertical display structure. The assembly comprises an extended sidewall member, a substantially horizontal bracket at least partially surrounded by the extended sidewall member, a slotted panel disposed over the extended sidewall member and coupled to the substantially horizontal bracket, and a front frame coupled to the slotted panel. Visual depth is provided when the assembly is coupled to the vertical display structure and is placed adjacent to another vertical display structure.
Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:
The following detailed description of the invention provides examples and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention.
An enhanced vertical display structure is provided for adding depth, interest, and overall profile to a retail display system. In particular, the enhanced vertical display structure includes a vertical display unit and a bump out assembly. The bump out assembly includes a display panel that hangs vertically and is spaced an axial distance away from the vertical display unit. Thus, when the enhanced vertical display structure is disposed adjacent to a standard vertical display structure (e.g., a vertical display structure without a bump out assembly), a product display area of the enhanced vertical display structure extends further out from its vertical display unit than a product display area of the standard vertical display structure extends from its vertical display unit.
In particular, according to an embodiment, the vertical display unit includes a pair of vertical supports and a slotted board extending between the pair of vertical supports. The bump out assembly couples to the vertical display unit and comprises an outer frame, a slotted display panel, and a horizontal bracket. The outer frame has an extended sidewall extending axially from the vertical display unit and surrounding the horizontal bracket. The slotted display panel is disposed over outer frame. The horizontal bracket couples the outer frame and the slotted display to the pair of vertical supports.
With reference now to
With additional reference to
Vertical supports 30 and 32 are configured to be substantially similar to each other and to be substantially vertically oriented. Each of vertical supports 30 and 32 includes a bottom section 42 or 44 and a substantially vertical section generally referred to through this specification as a vertical section 46 or 48, according to an embodiment. Bottom sections 42 and 44 define a base for vertical display structure 10. In an embodiment, bottom sections 42 and 44 include corresponding horizontal bars 50 and 52, support legs 54, 56, 58, and 60, and connector legs 62, 64, 66, and 68. Horizontal bars 50 and 52 are substantially equal in length and configuration and to be substantially horizontally oriented. Support legs 54, 56, 58, and 60 are configured to elevate vertical sections 46 and 48 off a floor to provide height to vertical display structure 10. In one embodiment, support legs 54 and 56 extend from respective ends of horizontal bar 50, and support legs 58 and 60 extend from respective ends of horizontal bar 52. Support legs 54 and 56 and horizontal bar 50 are formed from a single piece of material, and support legs 58 and 60 and horizontal bar 52 are formed from a single piece of material, in an embodiment. In another embodiment, support legs 54 and 56 and support legs 58 and 60 are separately formed from horizontal bars 50 and 52. For example, support legs 54 and 56 and/or support legs 58 and 60 are formed from wood, and horizontal bars 50 and 52 are formed from metal.
To form the base of vertical display structure 10, connector legs 62 and 64 extend substantially orthogonally relative to horizontal bar 50 and corresponding support legs 54 and 56, and connector legs 66 and 68 extend substantially orthogonally relative to horizontal bar 52 and corresponding support legs 58 and 60. Connector legs 62, 64, 66, and 68 each include mating mechanisms for mating with corresponding ends of support bars 38 and 40 to secure support bar 38 between connector legs 62 and 66 and support bar 40 between connector legs 64 and 68. For example, the mating mechanisms comprise extensions (not shown) and openings, where the extensions protrude from one or both of connector legs 62 and 66, one or both of connector legs 62 and 68, or support bars 38 and 40. The openings for receiving the protrusions are formed on the other of the connector legs 62 and 66, connector legs 64 and 68, or support bars 38 and 40. When the mating mechanisms are mated with each other, fasteners (e.g., fasteners 70) can be inserted through openings (e.g., threaded openings 71) formed on one or both of connector legs 62, 64, 66, and 68 or support bars 38 and 40. Although connector legs 62, 64, 66, and 68 and support bars 38 and 40 form a substantially rectangular base, fewer or more legs and/or support bars are included in other embodiments to define another shape of the base.
In one embodiment, vertical sections 46 and 48 are substantially equal in length and are configured to be substantially similar to each other. To maintain boards 18, 20, and 22 between vertical sections 46 and 48, vertical section 46 extends substantially perpendicularly relative to horizontal bar 50 from a position that is substantially similar to a position on horizontal bar 52 from which vertical section 48 extends. In an embodiment, vertical section 46 extends from a position equidistant from ends of horizontal bar 50, and similarly, vertical section 48 extends from a position on horizontal bar 52 that is equidistant from the ends thereof. Alternatively, vertical section 46 is disposed closer to one end of horizontal bar 50 than another end, and vertical section 48 is disposed at a substantially similar position on horizontal bar 52.
Vertical sections 46 and 48 have interior-facing surfaces 72 and 74 including tracks 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, and 86. Tracks 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, and 86 are each suitably configured for maintaining at least a portion of the edges of boards 18, 20, and 22. In an embodiment, vertical sections 46 and 48 each includes three tracks, tracks 76, 78, and 80 and tracks 82, 84, and 86, respectively. Tracks 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, and 86 extend along substantially an entire length of the corresponding vertical section 46 or 48, in an embodiment. In another embodiment, one or more of tracks 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, and 86 is made up of sections that are staggered along the lengths of vertical sections 46 and/or 48. Tracks 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, and 86 are grooves formed in interior-facing surfaces 72 and/or 74, in an embodiment. Alternatively, tracks 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, and 86 are defined by walls extending from interior-facing surfaces 72 and/or 74. Although vertical sections 46 and 48 include three tracks 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, and 86 each, other embodiments may include fewer or more tracks. A total number of tracks on each of vertical sections 46 and 48 depends on a desired number of boards (e.g., boards 18, 20, and 22) to be disposed therebetween.
To maintain boards 18, 20, and 22 at desired vertical positions, horizontal supports 34 and 36 extend between vertical sections 46 and 48. In one embodiment, horizontal support 34 extends substantially horizontally between bottom ends of vertical sections 46 and 48, and horizontal support 36 extends substantially horizontally between top ends of vertical sections 46 and 48. Horizontal supports 34 and 36 are fastened to vertical sections 46 and 48 by fastening mechanisms 88, 90, 92, and 94, in an embodiment. For example, fastening mechanisms 88 and 90 for horizontal support 34 comprise protrusions extending from respective ends of horizontal support 34 that are inserted into slits 96 (slit on vertical section 46 not shown). In another example, fastening mechanisms 92 and 94 comprise fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, and the like) that are inserted through openings formed on respective ends of horizontal support 36 and openings formed on vertical sections 46 and 48. Although fastening mechanisms 88 and 90 and fastening mechanisms 92 and 94 are illustrated as having different configurations, both can have similar configurations in other embodiments.
Each of horizontal supports 34 and 36 includes tracks 100, 102, 104, and/or 106 (only one track 106 of horizontal support 36 is visible) configured to retain edges of boards 18, 20, and 22. Tracks 100, 102, 104, and/or 106 are each a groove formed in a corresponding one of horizontal supports 34 and 36, in an embodiment. In another embodiment, tracks 100, 102, 104, and 106 are formed between walls that extend from one of horizontal supports 34 and 36 a distance sufficient for retaining edges of boards 18, 20, and 22. In an embodiment, three tracks 100, 102, and 104 are included on horizontal support 34, and three tracks 106 (only one track 106 of horizontal support 36 is visible) are included on horizontal support 36. More or fewer tracks are included on one or both of horizontal supports 34 and 36, depending on a total number of boards (e.g., boards 18, 20, and 22) to be held in position.
One or more of tracks 100, 102, 104, and 106 extends substantially an entire length of the corresponding horizontal support 34 or 36, in an embodiment. In accordance with another embodiment, one or more of tracks 100, 102, 104, and 106 comprises track sections that are staggered along a length of the corresponding horizontal support 34 or 36. The track sections are uniform or non-uniform in length.
With reference to
Support boards 18, 20, and 22 have substantially similar dimensions. According to one embodiment, outer board 18 includes a plurality of rows of slots 112 and a peripheral edge portion or outer periphery 114 without slots. Each row includes an array of slots 112 arranged end to end with each other. Although each slot 112 has an elongated rectangular shape, slots 112 have different configurations, such as round, ovular, or the like, in other embodiments. Additionally, although slots 112 are arranged in rows in the Figure, other embodiments include slots arranged in concentric circles or other patterns. In still other embodiments, the slots 112 are dispersed randomly on outer board 18. Outer board 18 is formed from a material having suitable structural integrity for suspending attachments and/or product 27 therefrom, such as an acrylic material, plastic, wood, metal, and the like. Although not shown, outer board 22 is formed substantially similar to outer board 18, and thus, also includes slots 112 and a peripheral edge portion 114 without slots.
To improve the appearance of vertical display structure 10, intermediate board 20 is configured to prevent light from shining through slots 112 of outer board 18 onto outer board 22. Intermediate board 20 is a solid panel without openings, in an embodiment. In another embodiment in which support boards 18, 20, and 22 are not intended to be used for product display, one or both of outer boards 18 and 22 comprises a solid panel, and/or one or more of support boards 18, 20, and 22 is omitted.
In one embodiment, bunkers 24 and 26 are included to provide a storage area for product 27 and/or to provide an additional surface for displaying product 27. Bunkers 24 and 26 are disposed on support frame 16. In an embodiment, bunker or front bunker 24 is disposed on a first half of support frame 16, bunker or back bunker 26 is disposed on a second half of support frame 16, and bunkers 24 and 26 are separated from each other by boards 18, 20, and 22. Front bunker 24 includes one or more pull out drawers 116. Pull out drawer 116 includes a locking mechanism 118 for securing product within drawer 116. Although not shown, back bunker 26 includes a pull out drawer in another embodiment. In alternate embodiments, one or both bunkers 24 or 26 are omitted.
Referring now to
Outer frame 120 has an extended sidewall member or extended sidewall 132 for extending axially from vertical display structure 10 and surrounding at least a portion of one or more of horizontal brackets 124, 126, and 128. Extended sidewall 132 extends between two faces (e.g., first face 134 and second face 136) and includes four wall segments or segments 138, 140, 142, and 144 forming an outer peripheral surface. Extended sidewall 132 forms a cavity 146 for horizontal brackets 124, 126, and 128 and is formed from material suitable for concealing horizontal brackets 124, 126, and 128 in cavity 146. In one embodiment, extended sidewall 132 has a depth that is substantially equal to or greater than a depth of horizontal brackets 124, 126, and 128. For example, extended sidewall 132 comprises an opaque material, such as a suitable plastic, acrylic, metallic, wooden or other material. Although extended sidewall 132 forms a substantially rectangular outline with curved corners as illustrated, extended sidewall 132 can have another shape. For example, extended sidewall 132 is circular, ovular, square, or another polygon.
In accordance with an embodiment, extended sidewall 132 (and hence, bump out assemblies 14 and 15) is configured to substantially cover an upper portion of vertical display unit 12. In this regard, at least three sides of a perimeter of extended sidewall 132 matches or extends beyond a perimeter of vertical display unit 12 defined by top horizontal support 36 and vertical sections 46 and 48. Extended sidewall 132 has a largest width (e.g., a width measured between outer peripheral surfaces of vertical wall segments 138 and 140) that is substantially equal to or greater than a width between exterior-facing surfaces 148 and 150 of vertical sections 46 and 48, respectively. In an embodiment, to cover and hide at least half of the upper portion of vertical display unit 12, a height of extended sidewall 132 (e.g., measured between outer peripheral surfaces of horizontal wall segments 142 and 144) is substantially equal to at least half of a height of vertical sections 46 and 48. For example, as illustrated, extended sidewall 132 has outer dimensions substantially similar to outer dimensions of board 18. In another embodiment, the height of extended sidewall 132 is greater than half of the height of vertical sections 46 and 48. In an example, extended sidewall 132 is configured to extend from the top ends of vertical sections 46 and 48 to a location a few millimeters to a few centimeters above top surface 152 and 154 of bunkers 24 and 26.
Slotted display panel 122 is disposed over outer frame 120 and is employed to display products 27 (
Slotted display panel 122 includes a plurality of rows of slots 156 and various fastener openings 158 and 160. Slots 156 are employed to receive attachment components 222, which are used for hanging product and/or mirrors. Each row includes an array of slots 156 aligned horizontally end to end. In another embodiment, the slots of the array of slots 156 are aligned vertically end to end. In still other embodiments, slots 156 are arranged in a different pattern, such as in concentric rings, or in a random pattern. Although slots 156 are illustrated as elongated openings, slots 156 are round or have other shapes in alternative embodiments.
Fastener openings 158 are used for fastening horizontal bracket 124 to slotted display panel 122 and are formed through slotted display panel 122 at, for example, locations between two rows of the plurality of rows of slots 156. Fastener openings 160 attach front frame 130 to slotted display panel 122 and are formed through an outer peripheral section 166 of slotted display panel 122. In other embodiments, fastener openings 158 and 160 are formed in other sections of slotted display panel 122, depending on a configuration of horizontal bracket 124 and/or front frame 130. In still other embodiments, one or more slots 156 are designated as fastener openings 158 and/or 160. In one example, in which front frame 130 is eliminated, fastener openings 160 are also eliminated.
Each horizontal bracket 124, 126, and 128 couples slotted display panel 122 to vertical display unit 12 and is configured to be substantially horizontally oriented. In one embodiment, horizontal brackets 124, 126, and 128 are friction fit or otherwise maintained between vertical wall segments 138 and 140 of extended sidewall 132. In another embodiment, extended sidewall 132 is only coupled to horizontal brackets 124, 126, and 128 via slotted display panel 122. Horizontal brackets 124, 126, and 128 are configured to be substantially similar to each other, in an embodiment.
With reference now to
Hooks 180, 182, and 184 (a second hook for plate 178 not shown) are used to couple horizontal bracket 124 to vertical sections 46 and 48 of vertical display unit 12. With additional reference to
Top hooks 180 and 184 and bottom hooks 182 (bottom hook for plate 178 not shown) extend from back edges 202 and 204 of corresponding plates 176 and 178 to engage with corresponding openings of arrays 198 and 200 on vertical sections 46 and 48. Top hooks 180 and 184 extend from a top portion of back edges 202 and 204, respectively, and include one or more protrusions turning upwardly to extend past top edges 206 and 208 of plates 176 and 178, respectively. Bottom hook 182 of plate 176 and bottom hook (not shown) of plate 178 extend from back edges 202 and 204, respectively, below top hooks 180 and 184. Although bottom hooks are illustrated as extending downwardly (e.g., away from top hooks 180 and 184), bottom hooks extend upwardly in other configuration depending on the mechanism on vertical display unit 12 to which each horizontal bracket 124 is coupled. Accordingly, in alternate embodiments, of horizontal bracket 124 includes fewer or more than four total hooks and/or has hooks that extend in a different configuration than as described previously.
Fastener elements 174 attach horizontal bracket 124 to slotted display panel 122. In one embodiment, fastener elements 174 extend from elongated rod 168 in a direction opposite the direction in which hooks 180, 182, and 184 extend from elongated rod 168. Fastener elements 174 are substantially evenly spaced along a length of elongated rod 168. Although four fastener elements 174 are shown, more or fewer are included in other embodiments.
Fastener elements 174 comprise dowels having ends configured to align with fastener openings 158. In an embodiment, fastener elements 174 are inserted into corresponding fastener openings 158. In another embodiment, a fastener 210, such as a flathead screw, nail, or the like, is inserted through fastener openings 160 to attach fastener elements 174to slotted display panel 122. In one embodiment, a screw, rivet, or other suitable fastener (not shown) having, for example, a head larger than fastener openings 158 is placed trough slotted display panel 122 via fastener opening 158 and into end of corresponding fastener element 174.
With reference to
Front frame 130 has a front or exposed face 218 and a back or non-exposed face 220. Both faces 218 and 220 extend between exterior frame edge 212 and interior frame edge 214. Front face 218 is substantially uniform in color and/or does not include designs imprinted or formed thereon, in an embodiment. Alternatively, front face 218 is used to draw attention to vertical display structure 10 and is multi-colored, has a color that contrasts slotted display panel 122, and/or includes indicia imprinted thereon.
Front frame 130 attaches to fastener openings 160 on slotted display panel 122 via fingers (not shown) that extend from back face 220. In an embodiment, fingers mate and are configured to friction fit with fastener openings 160 and/or are adhered slotted display panel 122 after insertion into fastener openings 160. In other embodiments, front frame 130 attaches to slotted display panel 122 using a different mechanism and/or front frame 130 is eliminated.
With reference to
In an embodiment in which attachment component 222 displays product, attachment component 222 further includes an arm 246 and a bar 248, as illustrated in
In another embodiment illustrated in
Vertical display structure 10 is used as a standalone display structure, in an embodiment. In another embodiment, vertical display structure 10 is considered an enhanced vertical display structure and is disposed adjacent to one or more vertical display structures or standard vertical display structures 260 and/or 262 (i.e. vertical display structures substantially similar to enhanced vertical display structure 10, but without bump out assembly 14 or 15) to form a retail display system 270 as illustrated in
To assemble retail display system 270, one or more bump out assemblies 14 and 15 are attached to a first vertical display unit (e.g., vertical display unit 12) to form enhanced vertical display structure 10. In one embodiment in which product is to be displayed from slotted board 18 and slotted board 22, bump out assembly 14 is attached to slotted board 18, and bump out assembly 15 is attached to slotted board 22. In another embodiment, only one of bump out assemblies 14 and 15 is attached to one of slotted board 18 and 22. The first vertical display 12 has a first pair of vertical supports (e.g., vertical supports 30 and 32) and a horizontal support (e.g., horizontal support 34 or 36). Each bump out assembly 14 and 15 includes a horizontal bracket (e.g., horizontal bracket 124), an outer frame (e.g., outer frame 120), and a slotted display panel (slotted display panel 122), the outer frame surrounds the horizontal bracket, and the horizontal bracket attaches the slotted display panel and the outer frame to the first pair of vertical supports. In one example, each vertical support of the first pair of vertical supports includes an array of openings (e.g., array of openings 198 and 200), and at least one hook on the horizontal bracket inserts into a corresponding opening of the array of openings on a corresponding vertical support.
Before or after bump out assemblies 14 and/or 15 are attached to first vertical display unit 12, one or more bunkers 24 and 26 are coupled to first pair of vertical supports 30 and 32 at a location below bump out assemblies 14 and 15. In another embodiment, the bunkers 24 and/or 26 are omitted from retail display system 270.
After one or both of the bump out assemblies 14 and/or 15 are attached to the first vertical display unit 12, the product 27 is hung on bump out assemblies 14 and/or 15. In one embodiment, attachment component 222 and/or other display fixture accessories is attached to slotted display panel 122, and product 27 is positioned on attachment component 22 and/or the other display fixture accessories. In another embodiment, mirror 250 or other suitable mirror is affixed onto slotted display panel 122.
As shown in
A resultant retail display system 270 is now provided that includes various vertical display structures 12, 260 and/or 270 having different configurations to provide interest, and flexibility for changing overall appearance of retail display system 270. An enhanced vertical display structure 10 (e.g., a vertical display structure having one or more bump out assemblies 14 and/or 15) adds visual depth and interest to retail display system 270 when placed adjacent to one or more vertical display structures 260 and/or 262 without a bump out assembly.
Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments, such embodiments are meant for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered to limit the invention. Various alternatives and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Other modifications within the scope of the invention and its various embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.
