GB2252717A - Display assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A display assembly, comprises a support having formed in a non-horizontal surface thereof at least one discrete recess (2 to 6), at least an upper part of the periphery of the or each recess being undercut (see Fig. 2), and a bracket having a first portion extending into the recess and engaging in the undercut part and a second portion engaging in the recess or on the surface of the support adjacent to the recess, such that the bracket is mounted on the support. The bracket has a third portion extending outwardly from the surface and arranged to support items for display. <IMAGE>

Description

DISPLAY ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a display assembly, for example for displaying goods for sale in a shop.

A known type of display assembly comprises a vertically-mounted board having a plurality of horizontal grooves therein, each groove having an undercut on either side, brackets for supporting items for display being hooked into the grooves to engage the undercut to hold the bracket in place.

The present invention provides an assembly which retains the flexibility of the known system whilst being more decorative in appearance.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a display assembly, comprising a support having formed in a non-horizontal surface thereof at least one discrete recess, at least an upper part of the periphery of the or each recess being undercut, and a bracket having a first portion extending into the recess and engaging in the undercut part and a second portion engaging in the recess or on the surface of the support adjacent to the recess, such that the bracket is mounted on the support, the bracket having a third portion extending outwardly from the surface and arranged to support items for display.

The support may conveniently be in the form of a board, for example of chipboard, medium density fibre board, plywood or the like, or may be constructed of sheet steel or plastics. A plurality of the recesses may be formed in the support, the recesses having the same or different shapes, for example circular, square, triangular or polygonal. The recesses may include a land portion therein whose surface lies within the same plane as the surface of the support. For decorative effect, the recesses may coloured differently from the surface of the support. Unused recesses may be occupied with a suitably-shaped plug, either forming a flush fit in the recess or having a head portion which has a greater area than that of the recess.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the second portion comprises a plug engageable in, and conforming with, the recess and having a slot therethrough, the first portion comprising a member which extends through the slot to engage in the undercut part of the recess, and which rests against the exterior of the plug, the third portion extending from the third portion.

The bracket may be shaped to support a shelf, or may comprise a rail from which goods may be suspended, a rack for displaying the goods, a bin, or may form a shelf itself.

A wide range of fittings is available for use with the conventional slotted system and these may be used with, or adapted for use with, the assembly of the present invention.

Reference is made to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a support board for an assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view on line A-A in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view through one of the recesses shown in Figure 1, with a decorative plug therein; Figure 4 is a sectional view of a recess showing one form of bracket in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 is a front elevation of the socket member forming part of the assembly shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows in side elevation a number of different back plates forming part of the bracket used in assemblies according to the invention; Figure 7 is a sectional view through a recess of the type shown in Figure 1, with the back plate as shown in Figure 6b fitted therein;; Figure 8 is a sectional view through a different form of recess having a back plate of the type shown in Figure 6a fitted therein; and Figures 9 to 12 show brackets of the conventional type which may be used in the assembly of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the support board shown is of relatively small dimensions for convenience of illustration, but in practice a number of the boards could be made to occupy significant proportions of the wall space in a shop or the like. The board 1 is formed from high density chipboard and has machined therein recesses 2 to 6, which by way of example are shown as all of different shapes, but which may be all of one shape, arranged in a pattern or randomly, according to the desired decorative effect. Each recess 2 to 6 has the periphery thereof undercut as described hereinafter with reference to Figure 2. The support board 1 is fastened to the wall by any convenient means, for example by screws 7. Alternatively, the support board may be part of a free-standing structure, for example forming an exhibition display stand or the like.

Figure 2 shows a section through the board on line A-A of Figure 1. The periphery of the recess 5 is undercut, for example using a router, typically by about lOmm, in a board of thickness typically at least 18mm. Greater board thicknesses may be used, and where the thickness permits, recesses may be formed on both sides of the board. The other recesses 2 to 4, and 6, are similarly undercut on at least the upper part of their periphery.

Figure 3 shows a blanking socket 30 inserted into the recess. The socket has a head portion 31 of greater width than the recess, but of the same shape, so as to cover the recess entirely. The socket may be coloured differently from the remainder of the board for decorative effect.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a display assembly according to one embodiment of the invention. The recess 40 corresponds to the recess 6 in Figure 1, having eight sides and a peripheral undercut 41. A socket member 42 comprises a generally planar octagonal member 43 having an octagonal flange 44 upstanding therefrom which is a close fit in the recess 40. The member 43 has a narrow slot 45 cut therethrough adjacent ta one edge. A back plate 46 comprises a steel sheet member having one end 46a thereof bent through two right angles so as to be able to extend through the slot 45 and into the undercut 41, where it can engage the outward edge 41a of the undercut.The back plate 46 may be provided with a portion (not shown) extending outwardly from the plate resting against the octagonal member 43 and serving to support a surface such as a shelf for displaying or storing items, or to support the items directly. The socket member 42 may be moulded to allow the back plate 46 to be a flush fit therein.

Figures 6a to 6f show different examples of shapes of back plate, that shown in Figure 6a being essentially that used in the assembly of Figures 4 and 5 and Figure 8 as described hereinafter. The back plate 60 shown in Figure 6b has the free end 60a thereof, remote from the end 60b which engages in the undercut portion of the recess, bent over at a right angle to engage the floor of the recess, thereby holding the back plate in position, as can be seen from Figure 7. Figure 6c shows an alternative shape where the free end portion extends at an oblique angle to engage in the undercut in the lower part of the recess. Figures 6d to 6f show forms in which the portion engaging in the upper undercut is angled obliquely to engage more firmly in the undercut portion of the recess.

In the assembly shown in Figure 8, the recess 80 is formed with a land 81 of material not removed when the recess was machined out. A back plate of the type described hereinbefore with reference to Figure 6a can then be engaged in the upper undercut portion 82 of the recess and is retained in position by the land 81.

Figure 9 shows a shelf bracket 90 of which the back plate 91 is essentially that shown in Figure 6a. In the product display bin shown in Figure 10, the back plate 100 which is an integral part of the bin is again effectively the same as the back plate of Figure 6a, but has two separate bent portions 101 which engage in the undercut portion of the recess, in use. Figure 11 shows a hanging bar for suspending packaged products or the like, in which the back plate is formed as bent rod 110, to which the bar 111 is welded. Figure 12 shows a simple bent rod hook which may form part of an assembly in accordance with the invention.

Claims (12)

1. A display assembly, comprising a support having formed in a non-horizontal surface thereof at least one discrete recess, at least an upper part of the periphery of the or each recess being undercut, and a bracket having a first portion extending into the recess and engaging in the undercut part and a second portion engaging in the recess or on the surface of the support adjacent to the recess, such that the bracket is mounted on the support, the bracket having a third portion extending outwardly from the surface and arranged to support items for display.

2. A display assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the support is in the form of a board.

3. A display assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the support is constructed of sheet steel or plastics.

4. A display assembly according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the support has a plurality of the recesses therein.

5. A display assembly according to Claim 4, wherein the recesses have the same or different shapes.

6. A display assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each recess includes a land portion therein whose surface lies within the same plane as the surface of the support.

7. A display assembly according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein unused recesses are occupied by a suitably-shaped plug, either forming a flush fit in the recess or having a head portion which has a greater area than that of the recess.

8. A display assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the second portion comprises a plug engageable in, and conforming with, the recess and having a slot therethrough, the first portion comprising a member which extends through the slot to engage in the undercut part of the recess, and which rests against the exterior of the plug, the third portion extending from the third portion.

9. A display assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the bracket is shaped to support a shelf.

10. A display system according to any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the bracket comprises a rail from which goods may be suspended.

11. A display system according to any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the bracket comprises a rack for displaying the goods or a bin.

12. A display assembly, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.