GB2137081A - Device for storing and/or displaying articles - Google Patents

Abstract

A plurality of trays 12 are mounted in pairs on a stand 11 which extends upwardly from a base 10. Each tray 12 is pivotally supported by the stand 11 for movement between a stowage position and a presentation position, the trays in each pair having meshing gear formations 22 such that movement of one tray from its stowage position to its presentation position or vice versa causes similar movement of the other tray in the pair. Each tray 12 is composed of a support plate 14 on which the gear formation 22 is provided, and a container 15 for receiving articles to be stored and/or displayed which is removably mounted on the support plate 14. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for storing and/or displaying articles This invention relates to a device for storing and/or displaying articles.

According to the present invention, such a device comprises a stand, and a plurality of trays mounted on the stand, each tray being adapted to receive some of said articles therein and being turnable in a plane which is generally horizontal in use between a stowage position and a presentation position, the trays being arranged in a number of groups with the trays in the or each group being spaced apart in a direction parallel to said plane and being operatively coupled together such that movement of any one of the trays from its stowage position to its presentation position or vice versa causes similar movement of the or each other tray in said group.

Preferably, the trays in the or each group are substantially coplanar with respect to said plane.

The trays can be arranged in pairs with the trays in each pair being operatively coupled together so that they turn together in mutually opposite directions. In this case, the trays in each pair are desirably pivotable about respective axes which are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to said plane. Conveniently, in their stowage positions the trays in each pair have front edges which are in mutual aiignment, while in their presentation positions the trays have said front edges disposed in face-to-face relation.

Advantageously, each tray has a gear formation which turns therewith, the gear formations on the trays in the or each group being meshed together.

Each tray may be composed of a container portion in which said articles are received and a support portion on which the container portion is removably mounted. In this case, the gear formation is preferably formed as an integral part of the support portion.

The stand can be composed of a plurality of preferably identical modules which are stacked one on top of another, each pair of adjacent modules in the stack receiving therebetween portions of the trays in a respective one of the groups. Conveniently, each tray is provided with a spigot and a recess which are substantially axially aligned with one another, the spigot being rotatably received in a socket in one of the modules, the recess rotatably receiving a projection on the other of the modules in the respective adjacent pair. The spigot can upstand from one side of the tray, and the recess can be provided in a hollow spigot which upstands from the opposite said of the tray. Preferably, the spigot, recess, socket and projection are all frusto conical in shape.In this case, in each module the frusto conical socket and the frusto conical projection are defined respectively by the interior and exterior of a single hollow frusto conical member.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing various components of the device; and Figure 3 is a perspective view showing in detail one particular component.

The illustrated device comprises generally a base 10 from which a stand 11 extends vertically upwardly, the stand having mounted thereon a plurality of trays 12 which contain articles for storage and/or display. The trays 12 are arranged in pairs at spaced intervals up the stand 11, with the trays in each pair being arranged coplanarly with one another. Each tray 12 is pivotable relative to the stand 11 about a generally vertical pivot axis between a stowage position wherein the tray lies to one side of the stand and a presentation position wherein the tray is disposed forwardly of the stand, as indicated at 12' in Figure 1.The pivot axes of the trays 12 in each pair are spaced apart horizontally from one another, and the trays in each pair are operatively coupled together in a manner to be explained later so that they can turn in unison but in opposite directions about their respective pivot axes. When the trays 12 in each pair are disposed in their stowage positions, front edges 1 3 thereof are mutually aligned across the front of the stand 11.

When the trays are in their presentation positions, these edges are disposed in face-to-face relation (as indicated at 13' in Figure 1) so that effectively the two trays extend continuously across the front of the stand 11.

Each tray 12 is composed of a support plate 14 on which a container 1 5 is removably mounted, the container being retained in position by depending flanges 1 6 at its side which overlap the edges of the support plate 14, and by a tab 17 which is received in a slot 18 in the support plate (see Figure 2). The container 1 5 has a series of recesses formed therein (such as is indicated at 1 9 in Figure 1) in which the articles to be stored and/or displayed are received, and at least some of the containers can be provided with a hinged transparent 25 lid 20 to cover and protect the articles therein.

Each support plate 1 4 is generally trapezoidal in shape, and has a projecting corner portion 21 on which is formed an arcuate row of gear teeth 22. The gear teeth 22 of the trays 12 in each pair are meshed with each other, and it is this meshing engagement which causes the two trays to turn in unison in the manner mentioned previously. Also provided on the corner portion 21 of each support plate 14 are a pair of frusto conical spigots 23 and 24. The spigots upstand respectively from opposite sides of the support plate 14 and are coaxial with one another, the uppermost spigot 23 having a frusto conical recess 25 therein. These spigots provide the pivotal mounting of the tray 12 on the stand 11 in a manner which will be explained later.

The stand 11 is composed of a number of identical modules 26 plus an upper module 27 which are stacked one on top of another. The projecting portions 21 on the trays 12 in each pair are received between respective adjacent modules in the stack. Each of the modules 26 (one of which is shown in detail in Figure 3) is in the general form of a hollow box having a wedge-shaped projection 28 extending upwardly from its upper surface. The bottom of the box is open and reveals on the one hand a wedge-shaped socket 29 which is congruent with the projection 28 and on the other hand a pair of frusto conical member 30.

These latter members are hollow, so that complementary frusto conical sockets 31 are defined in the upper surface of the box. The upper module 27 is generally identical to the modules 26, except that it does not have the projection 28 nor the sockets 31 on its upper surface.

When the modules 26 and 27 are stacked one upon another, the projection 28 on each module is received in the socket 29 in the next module upwards in the stack, thereby securing the two modules together. At the same time, the spigot 24 on each tray 12 is rotatably received in a respective one of the sockets 31 in the lower module, while the recess 25 in the spigot 23 on each tray rotatably receives a respective one of the frusto conical members 30 on the upper module. It is by this mechanism that the trays 12 are pivotally mounted on the stand 11.

In a particular example, the device is used to store and display items of women's make-up or the like, and to facilitate testing of the various items by a prospective purchaser and modules 26 and 27 are all provided with a mirror finish 32 on their front surfaces.

As indicated by reference numeral 33 in Figure 1, the base 10 may itself be provided with recesses for the reception of other articles.

The various components of the above described device can be made of any suitable material. The use of a plastics material for at least the trays 12 and the stand 11 is however preferred.

Claims (17)

1. A device for the storing and/or displaying articles, comprising a stand and a plurality of trays mounted on the stand, each tray being adapted to receive some of said articles therein and being turnable in a plane which is generally horizontai in use between a stowage position and a prsentation position, the trays being arranged in a number of groups with the trays in the or each group being spaced apart in a direction parallel to said plane and being operatively coupled together such that movement of any one of the trays from its stowage position to its presentation position or vice versa causes similar movement of the or each other tray in said group.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trays in the or each group are substantially coplanar with respect to said plane.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the trays are arranged in pairs with the trays in each pair being operatively coupled together so that they turn together in mutually opposite directions.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the trays in each pair are pivotable about respective axes which are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to said plane.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein in their stowage positions the trays in each pair have front edges which are in mutual alignment, while in their presentation positions the trays have said front edges disposed in face-to-face relation.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each tray has a gear formation which turns therewith, the gear formations on the trays in the or each group being meshed together.

7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each tray is composed of a container portion in which said articles are received and a support portion on which the container portion is removably mounted.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 when appended to claim 6, wherein the gear formation is formed as an integral part of the support portion.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the stand is composed of a plurality of modules which are stacked one on top of another, each pair of adjacent modules in the stack receiving therebetween portions of the trays in a respective one of the groups.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said modules are identical to one another.

11. A device as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein each tray is provided with a spigot and a recess which are substantially axially aligned with one another, the spigot being rotatably received in a socket in one of the modules, the recess rotatably receiving a projection on the other of the modules in the respective adjacent pair.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the spigot upstands from one side of the tray, and the recess is provided in a hollow spigot which upstands from the opposite side of the tray.

13. A device as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the spigot, recess, socket and projection are all frusto-conical in shape.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein in each module the frustoconical socket and the frustoconical projection are defined respectively by the interior and exterior of a single hollow frustoconical member.

1 5. A device as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein each module has a mirror finish on a front surface thereof.

16. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a base from which the stand is upstanding, the base being provided with recesses for the reception of other articles.

17. A device for storing and/or displaying articles, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.