IE64460B1 - A display system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a display system and in particular to a display system for merchandising products in a store.

According to the invention there is provided a display system comprising at least one display element, the display element comprising: a pair of spaced-apart generally inverted T-section supports, each comprising a generally horizontal base leg and a generally vertical upright extending upwardly from the base leg, intermediate the ends thereof, the uprights being of hollow slotted construction for receiving shelf supporting brackets, and at least a pair of spaced-apart bracing elements extending between the inverted T-bar sections.

In one embodiment of the invention the base leg and upright 15 of the inverted T-section support are substantially rectilinear in transverse cross section for butt-jointing with a corresponding section of an adjacent display element.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the bracing elements extend between the uprights of the inverted T-bar sections.

Typically at least one bracing element extends between the base legs of the inverted T-bar supports.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the bracing elements comprise a top bracing element, a mid bracing element and a bottom bracing element, the top and mid bracing elements extending between the uprights of the inverted T-bar section supports and the bottom bracing element extending between the base legs of the inverted T-bar support. Preferably the top and mid bracing elements are spaced inwardly from at least one face of the uprights. Typically the top and mid bracing elements are spaced inwardly from both opposite faces of the uprights.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention each end of the bracing elements is provided with flange means for mounting to the uprights, the flange means extending sidewardly and not above or below the bracing elements to facilitate substantially flush mounting of display panels between the bracing elements.

In one embodiment of the invention the bracing elements include mounting means for mounting a display panel between adjacent bracing elements. Preferably the mounting means comprises at least a pair of spaced-apart mounting holes extending from the upper and lower faces thereof for receiving mounting spigots which extend to engage and fix a display panel in place between the bracing elements. Typically the mounting spigots comprise threaded bars for engaging in complementary holes in a display panel.

In one embodiment of the invention the inverted T-bar sections are arranged to support an end frame comprising a pair of spaced-apart side uprights, each of generally hollow slotted construction for receiving shelf supporting brackets.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the end frame includes a cross support extending between the side uprights at the upper end thereof.

In one embodiment of the invention the system includes a universal cross bar having means for mounting the bar to the , uprights, the cross bar being arranged to support a range of additional support arms releasably mounted to the cross bar. „ Preferably the cross bar includes a pair of end flanges, each having hook means for engaging slots provided in the uprights.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the shelf supporting brackets may be arranged in a selected one of a plurality of different angular positions to support a shelf at a number of different possible angles.

Preferably the bracket includes a plurality of hook means which are sized and shaped to engage the slot means in a number of different angular orientations of the bracket.

Alternatively the shelf supporting bracket comprises a rear fixed portion having hook means for engaging the slots and a front shelf supporting portion adjustably mounted to the rear fixed portion, locking means being provided to lock the shelf supporting front portion in one of a plurality of angular positions. In this case preferably the locking means comprises a spring loaded locking pin for engagement with one of a plurality of spaced-apart locking pin locating recesses to lock the shelf supporting front portion of the bracket in a desired angular portion.

In one embodiment of the invention the display system includes a base shelf means supported by brackets which are releasably engagable with the uprights, the base shelf means having a receiving means for receiving and retaining the brackets in a ♦ shelf engaging position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the receiving means comprises a slot means in which the bracket is retained in a shelf engaging position.

In one embodiment of the invention the shelf comprises a flat 5 member having a pair of opposed downturned side edges which define together with spaced-apart inboard side supports the slots for receiving the brackets.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention fixing means are provided for fixing the brackets in position in use.

In one embodiment of the invention the fixing means comprises a fixing screw extending through the bracket and at least one and preferably both of the associated side support and downturned side edge of the shelf.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the assembly includes a base shelf locking means which may comprise, for example, a locking plate which is secured to the upright, and/or spacer means and to the base shelf.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a typical display system according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the system of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the system of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is an exploded, partially enlarged view of an end frame and inverted T-bar section of the system, Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the system and associated display panels, Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the system of Fig. 5 assembled, taken on the line VI-VI in Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a universal cross bar element of the display system, Fig. 8 is a side view of one shelf supporting bracket for use with the display system, Fig. 9 is a side view of another shelf supporting 10 bracket, Fig. 10 is a view of the bracket of Fig. 9 is the direction of the arrow X in Fig. 9, a Fig. 11 is a perspective partially exploded view of one part of another display assembly according to the invention, Fig. 12 is a perspective, partially cut-away view of another part of the assembly of Fig. 11, Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a shelf forming part of the assembly, Fig. 14 is a perspective view of part of the assembly, Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view of a detail of the assembly, Fig. 16 is a perspective view of another part of the assembly.

Fig. 17 is another perspective view of the part of Fig. 16, and Fig. 18 is a cross sectional view of a detail of the assembly.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 4 thereof there is illustrated a display system according to the invention comprising at least one display element which is illustrated in a fully assembled form iii Fig. 1 and indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The display element 1 comprises a pair of spaced-apart generally inverted T-section supports 2, 3 each of which comprises a generally horizontal base leg 4, 5 and a generally vertical upright 6, 7 extending upwardly from the associated base leg 4, 5 respectively. Each of the uprights 6, 7 are of hollow construction having a plurality of spaced-apart slots 10 for receiving shelf supporting brackets (not illustrated in Fig. 1) as will be described in more detail below.

Bracing means for bracing the inverted T-bar supports 2, 3 are provided by an upper bracing element 15, a lower bracing element 16 and a mid bracing element 17. Each of the bracing elements 15, 16, 17 is provided with sidewardly extending flanges 20 having mounting holes 21 through which mounting screws are inserted to fix the bracing elements to the uprights in the case of the upper and mid bracing elements 15, 17 and to the base legs 4, 5 in the case of the lower bracing element 16. It will be noted that the flanges 20 extend only sidewardly of the bracing elements and not above or below. This is an important'feature of the invention in facilitating flush mounting of display panels as will be described in more detail below.

It will be noted that both the base legs 4, 5 and the uprights 6, 7 of the inverted T-bar section supports 2, 3 are of rectilinear shape in transverse cross section. This is an important feature of the invention as it adds to the structural strength of a display element and facilitates the butt jointing of a corresponding inverted T-bar support of an adjacent display element or elements to form a string of display elements forming an elongate display system. Alternatively, as in the case of the particular embodiment illustrated in the drawings, each of the inverted T-bar supports 2, 3 are provided with an end frame 30, 31 respectively. Each of the end frames 30, 31 comprises a pair of spaced-apart side uprights 32, 33 and 34, 35 respectively and a cross support 36, 27 respectively extending between the side uprights at the upper ends thereof. It will be noted that in this case, the side uprights 32, 33, 34, 35 are each of generally hollow construction having a plurality of spacedapart slots 39 for receiving shelf supporting brackets. The cross supports 36, 37 are fixed to the uprights 6, 7 by fixing screws 40 and each of the side uprights 32, 33, 34, 35 is provided with an end spigot 42 for engaging with the open end sections of the cross supports 36, 37 and are fixed in position by screws 41 as will be apparent from Fig. 4. The uprights 32, 33, 34, 35 are fixed to the associated base leg 4, 5 of the inverted T-section supports by screws 43.

In one configuration illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 the display element 1 may be used to support top and bottom display panels 45, 46 and side display panels 47. Means for mounting the display panels 45, 46 to the bracing elements 15, 16, 17 are provided by mounting holes 49 in the bracing elements 15, 16, 17 through which spigots, in this case formed by threaded bars 50 are engaged, the bars 50 extending to engage complementary recesses 51 in the top and bottom edges of the panels 45, 46 as will be particularly apparent from Fig. 6. As already mentioned the flange 20 on the bracing elements 15, 16, 17 extends only sidewardly of the bracing elements and not above or below so that the panels 45, 46 may be readily flush mounted without the necessity for cutting-away the corners of the panels to accommodate any mounting elements. This is a particularly important feature, not only in facilitating ready assembly of the display element and display systems in use, but also in providing an aesthetically pleasing display system without ugly cut-outs at the corners of display panels.

Referring in particular to Fig. 7 the display element 1 10 described above may be used in association with a universal cross bar 60 have a pair of end flanges 61 each provided with hook elements 62 for engaging in the slots 10 or 39 for mounting the cross bar to the display element. The cross bar may be used to support a variety of different support arms 15 such as a forward facing support arm 65, having a slot 66 which drops down over the arm 60 and is secured in place by a nut 67. Alternatively, inverted channel members 67 may be mounted on the cross bar 60 to support, for example, a short snap-on arm 68, a longer snap-on arm 69 or what may be referred to as a swan-necked shaped arm 70, all as illustrated in Fig. 7. It will of course be appreciated that the universal cross bar may be used to support a variety of other elements not shown.

Referring in particular to Fig. 8 there is illustrated one type of shelf supporting bracket 80 which may be used with the display element 1 described above. The bracket 80 includes a plurality, in this case, three rearwardly extending hook elements 81 which are sized and shaped as illustrated to allow the bracket 80 to be supported in the slots 10, for example, in an upright 7 in a number of different angular positions. In the angular position illustrated in full lines the shelf receiving surface of the bracket 80 extends at an angle of approximately 92°C to the upright. A number of different possible angular positions of the bracket 80 with the hook elements 81 in different positions are illustrated by interrupted lines.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10 there is illustrated another shelf supporting bracket 90 which may be used in association with the display element 1. The bracket 90 comprises a fixed rear portion 91 having hook elements 92 for engaging in slots 10 in an upright and a forward portion 95 which is adjustably mounted to the rear portion 91 of the bracket for angular adjustment of the shelf supporting surface of the bracket in one of a number of different desired angular positions. In this case, the front portion 95 is pivotally mounted to the rear portion 91 at a pivot 96 and locking means for locking the bracket in a desired angular position is provided by a spring loaded locking pin 97 which engages in one of a plurality, in this case, three spaced-apart locking pin receiving recesses 98 in the rear portion 91 of the bracket. To adjust the angular position of the bracket 90 the locking 97 is first pulled outwardly in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 10 to release the pin from one of the recesses 98. The front portion 95 of the bracket is then pivoted about the pivot 96 until the pin 97 is engaged in the desired recess 98 to give the desired angular position of the bracket. A generally horizontal position for the bracket 90 is illustrated in full lines in Fig. 10 and different angular positions are illustrated by interrupted lines. It will be noted that the top edge of the front portion 95 of the bracket is bent downwardly to form a shelf supporting flange 99.

The invention provides a display system which may be used in association with a number of different elements to provide any desired display configuration.

Referring to Figs. 11 to 15 of the drawings there is illustrated a display system indicated generally by the reference numeral 101 which is used typically for displaying goods, particularly heavy goods such as hardware.

The system 101 comprises a number of spaced-apart uprights 102, two of which are shown in the drawings. The uprights 102 are of inverted T-shape in side view and they are linked together by spacer means comprising a lower spacer bar 103, an intermediate spacer bar 104 and an upper spacer bar 105. The spacer bars 103, 104, 105 are covered by facing panels 106, 107, the upper edges of which are covered by a cover 108 of inverted channel shape. The uprights 102 include a plurality of spaced-apart slots 110 for receiving shelf supporting brackets, one of which 112 is illustrated in the drawings. Each of the brackets includes rearwardly extending lugs 113 for engagement with the slots 110 in the uprights 102.

The display assembly includes a shelf which comprises a substantially flat plate member 125 having downturned side edges 126 and downturned and inturned front and rear edges 127, 128. Box section side supports 130 are provided underneath the flat member 125 adjacent to but spaced-apart from the downturned side edges 126 to define together with the side edges 126 slots 135 to accommodate the brackets 112.

Fixing means to fix the brackets 112 in position is provided by a fixing screw 140 (see Fig. 15) which engages in a hole in the side support 130 and engages and retains the bracket 112 in position in the slots 135.

Referring to Figs. 16 to 18 there is illustrated a shelf 125 which in this case is a base shelf and is mounted on the base legs of the side support 102 as illustrated in Fig. 18. Locking means for locking the base shelf 125 in position in this case comprises a locking plate 152 having a hole for receiving a locking bolt 153 which secures the locking plate 152 and the bottom spacer bar 103 and the support 102 as illustrated particularly in Fig. 17. The locking plate 152 also includes a tapped hole through which a fixing screw 140 extends to lock the locking plate 152 to the shelf support 130 and hence to the upright 102.

The display assembly according to the invention is readily easily assembled and is particularly strong in use. The base shelf support arrangement is particularly advantageous for use in display assemblies for supporting heavy goods such as hardware articles.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail.

Claims (29)

1. A display system comprising at least one display element, the display element comprising: a pair of spaced-apart generally inverted T-section supports, each comprising a generally horizontal base leg and a generally vertical upright extending upwardly from the base leg intermediate the ends thereof, the uprights being of hallow slotted construction for receiving shelf supporting brackets, and at least a pair of spaced-apart bracing elements extending between the inverted T-bar sections.

2. A display system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base leg and upright of the inverted T-section support being substantially rectilinear in transverse cross section for butt-jointing with a corresponding section of an adjacent display element.

3. A display system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the bracing elements extend between the uprights of the inverted T-bar sections.

4. A bracing system as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one bracing element extends between the base legs of the inverted T-bar supports.

5. A display system as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the bracing elements comprise a top bracing element, a mid bracing element and a bottom bracing element, the top and mid bracing elements extending between the uprights of the inverted T-bar section supports and the bottom bracing element extending between the base legs of the inverted T-bar support.

6. A display system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the top and mid bracing elements are spaced inwardly from at least one face of the upright.

7. A display system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the top and mid bracing elements are spaced inwardly from both opposite faces of the uprights.

8. A display system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 wherein each end of the bracing elements is provided with flange means for mounting to the uprights, the flange means extending sidewardly and not above or below the bracing elements to facilitate substantially flush mounting of display panels between the bracing elements.

9. A display system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the bracing elements include mounting means for mounting a display panel between adjacent bracing elements.

10. A display system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the mounting means comprises at least a pair of spaced-apart mounting holes extending from the upper and lower faces of the bracing element for receiving mounting spigots which extend to engage and fix a display panel in placed between the bracing elements.

11. A display system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the mounting spigots comprise threaded bars for engaging in complementary holes in a display panel.

12. A display system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the inverted T-bar sections are arranged to .V support an end frame comprising a pair of spaced-apart side uprights, each of generally hollow slotted construction for receiving shelf supporting brackets.

13. A display system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the end 5 frame includes a cross support extending between the side uprights at the upper end thereof.

14. A display system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the system includes a universal cross bar having means for mounting the bar to the uprights, the cross bar 10 being arranged to support a range of additional support arms releasably mounted to the cross bar.

15. A display system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the cross bar includes a pair of end flanges, each having hook means for engaging slots provided in the uprights. 15

16. A display system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the shelf supporting brackets are adapted to be arranged in a selected one of a plurality of different angular positions to support a shelf at one of a number of different possible angles. 20

17. A display system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the bracket includes a plurality of hook means which are sized and shaped to engage the slot means in a number of different angular orientations of the bracket.

18. A display system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the shelf 25 supporting bracket comprises a rear fixed portion having hook means for engaging the slots and a front shelf supporting portion adjustably mounted to the rear fixed portion, locking means being provided to lock the shelf supporting front portion in one of a plurality of angular 30 positions.

19. A display system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the locking means comprises a spring loaded locking pin for engagement with one of a plurality of spaced-apart locking pin locating recesses to lock the shelf 5 supporting front portion of the bracket in a desired angular position.

20. A display system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings. 10

21. A display system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the display system includes a shelf means supported by brackets which are releasably engagable with the uprights, the shelf means having a receiving means for receiving and retaining the brackets in a shelf 15 engaging position.

22. A display system as claimed in claim 21 wherein the receiving means comprises a slot means in which the bracket is retained in a shelf engaging position.

23. A display system as claimed in claim 22 wherein the shelf 20 comprises a flat member having a pair of opposed downturned side edges which define together with spacedapart inboard side supports the slots for receiving the brackets.

24. A display system as claimed in any of claims 21 to 23 25. Wherein fixing means are provided for fixing the brackets in position, in use.

25. A display system as claimed in claim 24 wherein the fixing means comprises a fixing screw extending through the bracket and at least one of the associated side support and downturned side edge of the shelf.

26. A display system as claimed in claim 25 wherein the fixing screw extends through both the associated side 5 support and downturned side edge of the shelf.

27. A display system as claimed in any of claims 21 to 26 wherein the shelf means in a base shelf and the system includes a base shelf locking means.

28. A display system as claimed in claim 27 wherein the 10 locking means comprises a locking plate which is secured to the upright and/or spacer means and to the base shelf.

29. A display system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 11 to 18.