US3252581A

US3252581A - Merchandising display device

Info

Publication number: US3252581A
Application number: US300576A
Authority: US
Inventors: Claire L Jenkins; Marvin E Russell
Original assignee: Dairy Equipment Co
Current assignee: Dairy Equipment Co
Priority date: 1963-08-07
Filing date: 1963-08-07
Publication date: 1966-05-24
Anticipated expiration: 1983-05-24

Description

y 1966 c. L. JENKINS ETAL 3, 52,581

MERCHANDISING DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Aug. 7, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. CLAIRE L. JENKINS IE. USEL BY MARVN Rs L qndr'us (ii Star/ye Affomvevs y 1966 c. L. JENKINS ETAL 3,252,581

MERCHANDISING DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Aug. 7, 1963 5 SheetsSheet Z INVENTORS CLAIRE L.JENKINS BY MARVIN E. Russeu.

jlndrus i Star/ 9 Afnusvs y 1966 c. 1.. JENKINS ETAL 3,252,581

MERCHANDISING DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Aug. 7, 1963 v s Sheets-Sheet 3 "9" qndrus 5 Starle Afroszwevs United States Patent "ice 3,252,581 lVIERCI-IANDISING DISPLAY DEVICE Claire L. Jenkins and Marvin E. Russell, Madison, Wis., assignors to Dairy Equipment Company, Madison, Wis, a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Aug. 7, 1963, Ser. No. 300,576 18 Claims. (Cl. 2111.5)

This invention relates to a merchandising display device and more particularly to a device for successively displaying articles to a purchaser.

In the past, mechanized display devices have been used in which the items, such as articles of clothing, were continuously rotated and displayed to the purchaser. In

devices of this type, there was generally no way to alter the automatic operation and sequence of display, and if a purchaser desired to examine one of the articles being displayed, it was necessary to stop the machine.

The present invention is directed to an improved merchandising display device which automatically moves each individual article from a storage location to a viewing or displaying location. If it is desired to view an article which is located in the storage position, the viewer can manually override the automatic control and move the article manually from the storage location to the viewing location. .The device provides a more flexible unit in that it not only provides for automatic and sequential display of each individual article, but also permits manual movement of the articles along an endless track.

More specifically, the device includes a supporting column which carries an endless, generally circular track. A series of carriers are mounted on the track for individual movement, and each carrier is adapted to support an item to be displayed, such as an item of clothing or any other desired article. The carriers are disposed on the track .in the form of a train with the first carrier in the train being located at a pickup station and the last carrier in the train being located at a discharge station. A rotating conveyor arm includes a pivotable pickup member which is adapted to move each carriage from the pickup station to the discharge station. A earn located at the receiving station pivots the pickup member to move the pickup member into engagement with the carrier and the carrier is then moved along the track to the discharge station. As the carrier approaches the discharge station, it engages the last carrier in the train and moves the entire train forwardly a distance equal to the length of one carrier. After the train has been moved forwardly, the pickup member is pivoted to release the carrier, and the conveyor arm then rotates to the pickup station where it engages a second carrier which has been moved to the pickup station by the movement of the train.

A modified form of the invention is designed for use with heavier articles. In this form of the invention, the rotating conveyor arm is merely employed to convey each individual carriage from the pickup station to the discharge station and a separate cam-operated drive member is used to engage and move the train of carriages forwardly. The drive member moves in synchronization with the conveyor arm and indexes the train of carriages as the conveyor arm releases the individual carriage at the discharge station. This structure provides a mechanical advantage in that the drive member moves through a substantially smaller distance and at a slower speed than the conveyor arm so that the drive member can more effectively move the entire train without jerking or chattering.

The device of the invention can be used for displaylng any type of clothing, hardware, sporting goods or the like. Clothing, such as sweaters, slacks or coats can be hung on individual hangers which are supported by 3,252,581 Patented May 24, 1966 the carriers. With the device, each individual article is moved from the storage location to a viewing location and automatically returned to the storage area. As only a single article is moved into the viewing area at a time, the purchaser can see all sides of the article.

If the purchaser desires to more closely inspect an article which is located in the storage area, the article can be moved manually to the viewing area by overriding the conveying mechanism. The article will subsequently be returned to the storage area and the device will automatically correct the cycle so that the sequential movement of each individual article is restored.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of the following description.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the merchandising display device;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the operating mechanism with the upper shroud removed;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing the carriers and conveying mechanism;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the central column and the conveyor drive;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a carrier;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view showing the conveyor arm in engagement with a series of carriers;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the conveyor arm in engagement with a pair of carriers;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention with the shroud removed;

FIG. 10 is a view taken along line 10l0 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective .view of a carrier used in the embodiment of FIG. 9.

The drawings illustrate a merchandise display device which includes a weighted base 1 which is supported on a foundation and carries a vertical column 2. A hub 3 is secured to the upper portion of the column by a bolt 4 which is threaded in aligned openings in the hub and column 2. A generally circular platform or frame 5 is secured to the hub and the outer rim or edge of the platform carries a circular track 6. A series of carriers 7 are mounted for individual movement on the track 6 and each carrier is adapted to support an article or item to be displayed.

As best shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, each of the carriers includes a generally fiat body member 8 which is located outwardly of the track 6. A pair of wheel-s or rollers 9 are journalled on the body member and the wheels 9 are provided with grooves which receive the upper edge of the track 6. Similarly, a pair of lower wheels 10 are journalled on the body member 8 and are provided with grooves which receive the lower edge of the track 6. The grooved wheels 9 and 10 permit each carrier to ride freely along the track and also prevent lateral displacement of the carrier from the track.

A bracket 11 is secured to the body member 8 of each carrier and the lower portion of the bracket defines an upwardly extending lip 12 which supports a hanger 13 adapted to carry an item of clothing 14 or other articles to be displayed. As shown in the drawings, the articles to be displayed consist of suit jackets, but it is contemplated that any other desired article of clothing, such as sweaters, slacks and the like or articles of hardware, sporting goods, etc. can be similarly displayed by the device.

Each carrier is also provided with a forward flange 15 and a rear flange 16 which extend radially inward over the track 6. A rubber or other resilient bumper 17 is secured to the rear flange 16 and extends rearwardly from the flange.

' distance corresponding to the length of the carrier.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the carriers 7 are disposed in end-to-end relation in the form of a train and are separated by the bumpers 17. The carriers extend approximately 180 around the track 6, and the first carrier in the train is located at a pickup or receiving station A, while the last carrier in the train is located at the discharge station B. Each individual carrier 7 is moved from the pickup station A to the discharge station B by a conveyor mechanism, which includes a pair of rotating arms 18 having their inner ends attached by bolts 19 to a collar 20 which is journalled on column 2. The bolts 19 also serve to connect the collar 20 to a sprocket 21 which is also journalled on the column. A suitable bearing 22 is disposed around the column beneath the collar 20 and serves to support the collar for rotation.

The sprocket 21 is driven by a chain 23 which connects the sprocket 21 with a sprocket 24 on the drive shaft of a motor 25. The motor 25 is attached by a mounting bracket 26 to one of a series of arms 27 which extend outwardly from hub 28 attached to column 2. The power leads to the motor 25 pass through an opening in column 2 and extend to the bottom of the column. Rotation of the drive shaft of motor 25 acts through the chain 23 and sprocket 21 to rotate the arms 18 about the central column 2.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a link 29 is pivotally connected to the end of each rotating arm 18. The links 29 are generally Z-shaped in cross section and the arm is pivoted to the forward end of each link, in the direction of rotation of the arms 18. The forward edge 30 of each link 29 is tapered.

A dog31 is pivotally connected to the rear end portion of each link 29 and the dog is provided with a pointed tip 32 which is adapted to engage the forward flange 15 of the carriers 7 and move the carriers along the track as the arms 18 rotate.

To bias the dogs 31 outwardly, a spring 33 is coiled around an upstanding pin 34 on the link 29 and one end of the spring is dead-ended on the dog 31 while the other end of the spring is dead-ended on the link 29. The spring acts to urge the dog radially outward toward the carriers 7.

The links 29 are pivoted outwardly to bring the dogs 31 into engagement with the carriers 7 by a cam 35 which is secured to the platform and is located radially inward from the track 6. A cam follower 36 is journalled on each link 29 and extends downwardly [from the link and is adapted to ride against the cam 35. The end 37 of cam 35 located at the pickup station A is generally curved and as the link 29 approaches the pickup station A, the cam follower 36 engages the curved portion 37 of the cam and progressively pivots the link 29 outwardly to bring the dog 31 into contact with the flange 15 of the carrier 7. The opposite end 38 of the cam 35 is reinforced by a block 39 which continues the camming surface, and a second cam 40 is spaced from the block 39 and is located at the discharge station B.

As the arm 18 rotates, a dog 31 will pick up a carrier 7a at the pickup station A and move the carrier around to the rear of the train of carriers, as shown in FIG. 2. The carrier 7a being moved will engage the last carrier 7b in the train and move the entire train of carriers a At this time, the cam follower 36 will ride ofli of the cam surface on block 39, and due to the position of the pivotal attachment of arm 18 with link 29, the frictional resistance of the train of carriers will cause the link 29 to pivot inwardly and move the dog 31 out of engagement with v the carrier 7. The second cam 40 insures that the carrier will be released at the discharge station B for the cam follower 36 rides on the cam 40 which causes link 29 to be pivoted inwardly to release the carrier.

A housing or shroud 41 is disposed over the drive mechanism above the platform 5. The shroud 41 is supported on the upper end of the column 2 and is secured by bolts 42 to lugs 43 which extend outwardly from the arms 27. The outer peripheral edge of the shroud 41 is bent upwardly adjacent the track 6 toprovide a generally rounded appearance for the peripheral edge of the shroud.

To enable other items to be displayed along with the clothing 14 which is supported on the hangers 13, a rotatable tray 45 is also mounted on column 2. The tray 45 is provided with a central hub 46 which is mounted for rotation on the column, and the hub 46 is retained in position by -a collar 47 which is attached to the column by a set screw 48. By moving the collar 47 up or down on the column, the position of the rotatable tray 45 can be varied as desired.

In operation of the apparatus, the articles of clothing 14 or other items to be displayed, are supported on hangers 13 carried by the brackets 11 attached to the carriers 7. When the motor is started, the arms 18 will rotate and as the link 29 of one of the arms approaches the pickup station A, the link will be pivoted outwardly due to the engagement of the camfollower 36 with the curved portion 370:? the cam surface. Outwardly pivotal movement of the link 29 causes the dog 31 to engage the forward flange 15 of the first carrier 7a in the train and to move the carrier along the track 6 to the discharge station B. As the carrier is being moved from the pickup station A to the discharge station B, the article of clothing '14 or item supported by the carrier is readily visible to the purchaser and the purchaser can see both sides of the article.

As the arm 18 approaches the discharge station B, the carrier 7a being rotated will engage the last carrier 7b in the train and will move the entire train forwardly the length of a carrier. After this movement of the train the cam follower 36 will then ride off of the cam 35 and the frictional resistance of the, train of carriers against dog 31 will cause'the link 29 to pivot inwardly with the result that dog 3-1 is moved out of engagement with the carrier.

Simultaneously, the other arm 18 of the pair is at the receiving station A and the link 29 associated with this arm is pivoted by the cam 35 to move the dog 31 into engagement with the first carrier in the train which has been moved to the pickup station A. The arm 18, which has passed the discharge station B, then moves around to the pickup station A and during this movement, the link 29 is in the inward position so that the dog will not engage any of the carriers in the train.

With the apparatus of the invention, it is possible to manually override the automatic displaying sequence so that a purchaser can move any of the articles 14 into the viewing area. For example, if a purchaser desired to more closely inspect an article which is carri d on carrier 7e, the purchaser can move carrier 7e, along with preceding

carriers

7a, 7c and 7d, forwardly over the track. The pivotal connection of the dog 31 to the link 29 enables the carriers to be manually moved b yond the link 29 so that in this situation all of the

carriers

7a, 70, 7d and 7e could be moved to the viewing area. The hanger 13 and article .14 on carrier 72 can then be removed from the bracket 11 if the purchaser desires.

As the rotating arm 18 moves from the pickup station A to the viewing area, the dog 31 will engage the rubber bumper 17 on the rear flange 16 of the carrier 7e and move the series of

carriers

7a, 7c, 7d and 7e toward the discharge station, as shown in FIG. 7. As the arm 18 approaches the discharge station, the carrier 7a will engage the last carrier 7b in the train and the entire train of carriers will be moved forwardly a distance equal to four carrier lengths so that carrier 7 will be moved to the pickup station A. The arm 18 moving toward the pickup station A will then pick up two carriers 7f and 7g and will engage the forward flange 15 of the second carrier 7g at the pickup station, as shown in FIG.8. The two carriers 7 and 7g will then be moved around to the discharge station B. At the discharge station, the carrier 7f will engage the last carrier in the train and move the carriers around one carrier length, so that as the other arm 18 approaches the pickup station A, a single carrier 7]: will be engaged and moved around to the discharge station.

When the arms are moving a series of carriers, as shown in FIG. 7, the dog 3-1 engages the bumper 17 and this increases the frictional resistance between the dog and the carrier. To insure that the link 29 under these conditions will be pivoted inwardly out of engagement with the carrier at the discharge station, the second cam 4 is used. As shown in FIG. 2, the follower 36 engages the cam 40 and thereby pivots the link 29 inwardly so that the dog 31 will move out of engagement with the bumper 17.

The merchandising display device of the invention successively displays a series of articles from a storage area through a viewing area and returns the article to the storage area. Each article is individually displayed and it is possible to override the automatic sequence by manually moving one or a series of carriers forwardly beyond the link 29 of the rotating arm by virtue of the pivotal connection of the dog 31 to the link. The apparatus will then automatically restore the sequence without manual adjustment. As previously mentioned, if a series of carriers are manually positioned in the viewing area, the arm 18 moving into the viewing area will engage the rear carrier in the series and return the entireseries to the discharge station B. This will move the train of carriers a length corresponding to the length of the series carriers which were moved to the discharge station. The arm approaching the pickup station A will then pick up two carriers and the following arm will pick up a single carrier and the automatic sequence will be restored.

FIGS. 9 and illustrate a modified form of the device which includes the weighted base 1 and vertical column 2. As in the case of the first embodiment, hub 3 is secured to the column 2 and a generally circular platform or frame 5 is secured to the hub and the outer edge or rim of the platform carries circular track 6.

A series of carriers 49, similar to carriers 7 of the first embodiment, are mounted for individual movement on the track 6 and each carrier is adapted to support an article or item to be displayed. Each of the carriers includes a generally flat body member 50 which is located outwardly of the track 6. A pair of wheels or rollers 51 are journalled on the body member and the wheels are provided with grooves which receive the upper edge to the track 6. In addition, a pair of lower wheels 52 are journalled on the body member and are provided with grooves which receive the lower edge of the track 6. The

grooved wheels

51 and 52 function in a manner similar to Wheels 9 and 10 of the first embodiment and permit the carrier to ride freely along the track while preventing lateral displacement of the carrier from the track. A bracket 53 is secured to the body member 50 and the lower portion of the bracket defines a lip which supports a hanger adapted to carry an item of clothing or other articles to be displayed. Each carrier is also provided with a forward flange 54 and a rear flange 55 which extends inwardly over the track 6. A resilient bumper 56 is secured to the rear flange 5S and a generally L-shaped bracket 57 is secured to the central portion of the body,50 and extends inwardly over the track 6 as best shown in FIG. 10. Each of the carriers 49 is also provided with an arm 58 which extends upwardly from the forward flange 54 and inwardly over the platform 5.

As best shown in FIG. 9, the carriers 49 are located in end-to-end relation in the form of a train and are separated by the bumpers 56. The carriers extend approximately 180 around the track 6 with the first carrier in the train being located at a pickup or receiving station C, while the last carrier in the train is located at a discharge station D. Each individual carrier 49 is moved from the pickup station C to the discharge station D by a conveyor mechanism which includes a pair of rotating arms 59 having their inner ends attached to a collar 60 journalled on the column 2. The collar 60 is secured to a sprocket 61 and the sprocket is driven by a chain 62 which connects the sprocket 61 to a motor 63. The motor 63 is mounted on one of a series of the arms 27 which extend outwardly from hub 28 attached to column 2.

As best shown in FIG. 9, a link 64 is pivotally connected to the central portion of arm 59 and the other end of link 64 is pivotally connected to a link 65 which terminates at a pointed tip 66. The tip 66 is adapted to engage the forward flange 54 on the carriers 49 and move each individual carrier from the pickup station C to the discharge station D.

The link 65 and the tip 66 are urged outwardly toward the track 6 by a coil spring 67 which connects the outer end of the arm 59 with the end portion of link 65.

The tip 66 is moved outwardly away from the carriers 49 by a cam mechanism which includes a cam follower 68 which is mounted on link 65 and adapted to ride on a cam track 69 suspended from the arms 27 by brackets 70. As the arm 59 conveying the carrier 49 approaches the discharge station D, the cam follower 68 will engage the forward bent end 71 of cam track 69 to thereby pivot the link 65 inwardly and move the tip 66 out of engagement with the carrier 49. The arm 59 then rotates to the pickup station C with the tip 66 being located inwardly of the train of carriers 49. As the arm 59 approaches the pickup station C, the follower 68 will move off of the end 72 of cam track 69 and the coil spring 67 will thereby urge the link 65-outwardly to bring the tip 66 into engagement with the carrier 49 at the pickup station C. a

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 includes a mechanism for preventing the rotating arm from picking up or conveying more than one carrier 4-9. In this regard, a roller 73 is mounted vertically on the forward end of a link 74 which is pivotally connected to both the link 65 and the outer end of the rotating arm 59. When the link 65 is in its outer position, roller 73 will initially engage the wire arm 58 and ride over the hump '75 of the arm and then downwardly along the rear sloping portion 76 of the arm 58. When the roller 73 moves over the hump 75, the arm 65 and tip 66 will he pivoted inwardly so that the tip 66 will not engage the rear flange 55 of the carrier. As the roller 73 rides along the sloping portion 76 of arm 58, the tip 66 will be urged outwardly and will engage the forward flange 54 to move the carrier. In the train of carriages, as shown in FIG. 9, the sloping end'76 of each arm 58 overlaps the forward portion of the arm of the next succeeding carrier so that there is no gap between the arms 58.

When articles of substantial weight are suspended from the individual carriers 49, it has been found that a sub stantial load is' applied on the motor if the arms 59 are required to move the entire train of carriers ahead one increment. To provide a mechanical advantage and reduce the load on the motor, a separate cam operated mechanism is employed in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 to move the train of carriers forwardly. In this construction an arm 77 is pivotally connected to a pin 78 mounted on the platform 5. The outer end of the arm is pivotally connected to a dog 79 which is provided with a hook 8.0 adapted to engage the L-shaped bracket 57 on the carriers 49. A leaf spring 81 is mounted on the platform 5 and urges the dog 79 outwardly so that the hook 80 will engage the L-shaped bracket 57.

The arm 77 is urged in a rearward direction, with respect to the direction of rotation of the carriers 49 (counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 9) by a coil spring 82. One end of the coil spring is attached to the platform 5, while the other end of the coil spring is secured to the arm 77 and urges the arm in a rearward direction.

The arm 77 is driven in a forward direction to move the entire train of carriers forward an increment equal to the length of one carrier, by a cam mechanism which includes a cam 83 mounted on the column 2. A trapezoidalshaped cam follower 84 is connected to the inner end of arm 77 and is adapted to ride along the outer edge of the cam 83. As shown in FIG. 9, a sloping guide or ramp 85 is secured to the follower 84 and serves to insure that the rotating arm 59 will pass over the cam follower 84.

The cam 83 is provided with a pair of humps 86 which are located diametrically opposite on the cam. As the cam rotates, the hump 86 will engage the cam follower 84 and move the arm 77 forwardly a distance of one carrier. The follower 84 will then ride off the hump 86 and the arm 77 will be returned to its original position by the force of the coil spring 82. With this construction, the train of carriers are moved forwardly by the rotation of cam 83 so that the train is moved forwardly at a much slower rate than the movement of the arms 59. For example, while the arm 77 moves through an arc equal to the length of one carrier, the arm 59 will move through an arc of approximately 180. This results in a slower movement for the arm 77 and a considerable mechanical advantage results which moves the train of carriers at a more uniform pace with less load on the motor.

The cam 83 is secured by bolts 87 to the arms 59 and rotates with the arms. As shown in FIG. 10, a bearing 88 is located beneath the cam 83 and supports the cam for rotation on the column 2.

In operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the arm 59 rotates, and as it approaches the pickup station C, the cam follower 68 leaves the end of the cam track 72 with the result that link 65 is urged outwardly, and tip 66 engages the forward flange 54 of the carrier 49 located at .the pickup station C and conveys the carrier approximately 180 to the discharge station D. As the arm 59 approaches the discharge station D, the cam follower 68 will engage the sloping end 71 of cam track 69 and ride up onto the track 69 to thereby move the tip 66 inwardly out of engagement with the forward flange 54 of the carrier to release the carrier. The arm 59 then rotates back to the pickup station C. As the follower 68 is in engagement with the track 69, the tip 66 will be located inwardly of the carriers in the train where it will not contact the carriers in movement from the discharge station D to the pickup station C.

Simultaneously with the arrival of the carrier 49 at the discharge station D, the arm 77 will be at a position where the dog 79 engages the L-shaped bracket 57 on the carrier located at the discharge station, and will move the entire train of. carriers ahead the length of one carrier so that the next succeeding carrier is located at the pickup station Where it can be picked up by the next rotating arm. As the cam 83 rotates, the cam follower 84 will ride off of the hump 86 on the cam to release the dog 79 from the bracket 57 so that the arm 77 can be returned to its original position by the coil spring 82.

As previously mentioned, the mechanism of this embodiment is designed so that only one carrier 49 will be moved to the discharge station D. If the purchaser wishes to view several items, three carriers 49, for example, may be moved into the viewing area B. The next rotating arm 59 approaching the pickup station C will pick up a carrier as there are no carriers at the pickup station at this time. As the arm 59 approaches the first of the three carriers 49a in the viewing area E shown in phantom in FIG. 9, the roller 73 will engage the wire arm 58 of carrier 49a and pivot the tip 66 inwardly so that the tip Will not engage the rear flange 55 of the carrier 49a. The roller 73 will then engage and ride up the sloping end 76 of the arm 58 of the carrier 49b again move the tip 66 outwardly so that there will be no engagement between the tip 66 and the forward flange of the carrier 49a. Roller 73 will then ride up the sloping portion 76 of the arm 58 of carrier 490 so that tip 66 will not engage the forward flange 54 of carrier 49b. Roller 73 will ride forwardly beyond the carrier 49c and the tip 66 will engage the forward flange 54 of the carrier 490 to move this carrier around to the discharge station D. As previously described, the entire train of carriages is then moved forwardly one increment. The next arm 59 moving to the pickup station C will not pick up a carrier, as no carrier is located at the pickup station due to the fact that three carriers had been moved into the viewing station E. The rotating arm 59 will again ride over the first carrier 49a and engage the second carrier 4% and move that carrier to the discharge station. cedure is repeated until the carriers are back into normal sequence.

The invention shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 utilizes a separate drive mechanism. for moving the train of carriers a distance equal to the length of one carrier. This provides a mechanical advantage and reduces the load on the motor over the system shown in FIGS. 1-8. The structure of FIGS. 9 and 10 is particularly useful when the merchandising display is utilized to display and support articles of considerable weight, such as suits of clothes, sporting goods, hardware, and the like.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as'being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

We claim:

1. A merchandising display device, comprising an endless track, a series of carriers adapted to support articles to be displayed, means for mounting each carrier for individual movement on said track, conveying means including a .pivotally mounted pickup element for engaging a carrier and moving the carrier along the track from a receiving station to a discharge station, and cam means for moving the conveying means into contact with the carrier at the receiving station and for withdrawing the conveying means from engagement with the carrier at the discharge station, said pickup element being disposed to pivot by engagement with engaging means on said carrier when the carrier is manually moved beyond the conveying means in the direction of travel of the conveying means.

2. A merchandising display device, comprising a support, an arm mounted for rotation on said support, an endless track lying in a plane disposed concentrically with said support, a series of carriers mounted for individual movement on the track and adapted to support articles to be displayed, a pickup element pivotally connected about an axis parallel to the axis of the track to the arm and adapted to engage a carrier at a pickup station and move the carrier along the track to a discharge station, a cam mounted adjacent the track, and a cam follower mounted on the arm and engageable with the cam, said cambeing shaped to pivot said pickup element parallel to said plane and into contact with a carrier at the receiving station and being shaped to pivot the pickup element parallel to said plane and in the opposite direction at the discharge station to thereby move the pickup element out of engagement with the carrier.

3. A merchandising display device, comprising a support, an annular track mounted on the support, a train of individual carriers mounted for movement on the track, means on each carrier for supporting an article to be displayed, movable conveying means including a pickup element disposed to engage the carrier and move a carrier along the track from a pickup station to a discharge station, cam means disposed to be engaged by said conveying means during movement of said conveying means for moving said pickup element into engagement with a carrier at said pickup station, and second cam means disposed to be engaged by the conveying means for moving the pickup element out of engagement with the carrier at the discharge station, said train extending continuously from the pickup station to the This pro- 9 discharge station with the first carrier in said train being positioned adjacent said first cam means at said pickup station and the last carrier in said train being located to the rear, with respect to the direction of movement of said conveying means, of said second cam means so that the carrier being moved by the conveying means engages the last carrier in the train prior to the convey ing means engaging said second cam means to thereby move the entire train forwardly in the direction of conveyor movement before the conveying means releases said carrier.

4. A merchandising display device comprising an endless track, a series of carriers mounted for individual movement in a forward direction on the track, the series of carriers disposed in end-to-end relation on said track in the form of a train with the first carrier of the train being located at a pickup station and the last carrier of the train being located at a discharge station, each carrier having a channel shape and including a web extending generally parallel to the track and a rear and forward flange with said flanges extending inwardly from the Web over the track, resilient spacing means for spacing the forward flange of one carrier from the rear flange of the next adjacent carrier, rotating conveying means including a moveable pickup element disposed to en gage the first carrier in the train and move the carrier along the track from the pickup station to the discharge station, and means for moving the pickup element into contact with the forward flange of the first carrier at the receiving station and for withdrawing the pickup element from engagement with said forward flange at the discharge station.

5. A mechandising display device, comprising an annular track, a series of carriers adapted to support articles to be displayed and mounted for individual movement on the track, each carrier being provided with at least one projection, conveying means for engaging the carrier and moving the carrier along the track from a receiving station to a discharge station, said conveying means including a rotating arm and a link with the arm being pivotally connected to the leading end, with respect to the direction of travel of the arm, of said link, said conveying means also including a dog pivotally connected to the trailing end of the link and adapted to engage the projection on acarrier and move the carrier along the track from a pickup station to a discharge station, means for pivoting the link at the recieving station to thereby move the dog into contact with the carrier, and means for pivoting the link in the opposite direction at the discharge station to withdraw the dog from engagement with the carrier.

6. The structure of claim 5, and including means for biasing the dog outwardly toward the carrier.

7. The structure of claim 5, in which the dog extends forwardly from the position of attachment to the link at an acuate angle to the direction of movement of the arm.

8. A merchandising display device, comprising an annular track, a series of carriers adapted to support articles to he displayed and mounted for individual movement on the track, rotating conveying means including a rotating arm and a pickup element pivotally connected to the arm, said pickup element adapted to engage the carrier and move the carrier along the track from the pickup station to a discharge station, and means for pivoting the pickup element into contact with the carrier at the receiving station and means for pivoting the pickup member out of contact with the carrier at the discharge station, said pickup element being disposed to pivot by engagement with engaging means on said carrier when the carrier is manu ally moved beyond the conveying means in the direction of travel of the conveying means.

9. A mechandising display device, comprising a central column, an endless track supported by the column and disposed concentrically with the column, a series of carriers adapted to support articles to be displayed and mounted for individual movement on said track, a plurality of arms mounted for rotation about the central column, a link pivotally connected to the end of each of said arms, means for rotating the arms about the column, a pickup member connected to each link adapted to en gage a carrier and move the carrier along the track from a pickup station to a discharge station, means for pivoting each link with respect to the corresponding arm at the pickup station to move the pickup member into contact with the carrier and for pivoting each link with respect to the arm at the discharge station to move the pickup member out of contact with the carrier, and means for etfecting pivotal movement of said pickup element with respect to said link in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotation of the arms, whereby the carriers can override the pickup member and be manually moved beyond the pickup member.

10. A merchandising display device, comprising a support, an annular track mounted on the support, a train of individual carriers mounted for movement on the track, means on each carrier for supporting an article to be displayed, movable conveying means including a rotating arm and a pickup element pivotally connected to the arm and adapted to engage the carrier and move the carrier along the track from a pickup station to a discharge station, a cam mounted on the support and spaced inwardly of the track, a cam follower supported by the pickup element and disposed to engage the cam and pivot the pickup element into engagement with the carrier at the pickup station, and a second cam mounted on the support and located at the discharge station, said second cam disposed to be engaged by the cam follower as the conveying means approaches said discharge station to thereby pivot the pickup element out of engagement with the carrier at said discharge station.

11. A merchandising display device, comprising a support, an endless track mounted on the support and including a pickup station and a discharge station, a series of individual carriers mounted for movement on the track with said carriers being disposed in an end-to-end relation to form a train, movable conveying means including a pickup member disposed to engaged the first carrier of the train at the pickup station and move the carrier along the track to the discharge station, means located at the pickup station for moving the pickup member into engagement with the first carrier of the train, the last carrier in the train being located to the rear of the discharge station with respect to the direction of rotation of said conveying means, whereby the carrier being moved by said pickup member engages the last carrier in the train to move the entire train forward a distance equal to the length of the carrier, and means located at the discharge station and responsive to the train being moved a carrier length for moving the pickup member out of engagement with the carrier.

12. A merchandising display device, comprising an endless track, a series of carriers mounted for movement on the track and adapted to support articles to be displayed, said carriers being mounted in an end-to-end relation in the form of a train with the first carrier of said train being located at a pickup station and the last carrier in the train being located at a discharge station, conveying means for engaging the first carrier in the train at the pickup station and moving the carrier along the track to the discharge station, and means synchronized with said last named means for engaging the last carrier in the train at the discharge station and moving the entire train along the track a distance equal to the length of a carrier to position the next succeeding carrier at the pickup station.

13. A mechandising display device, comprising an endless track, a series of carriers mounted for movement on the track and adapted to support articles to be displayed, said carriers being mounted in an end-to-end relation in the form of a train with the first carrier of said train being located at a pickup station and the last carrier in the train being located at a discharge station, drive means, first conveying means operably connected to the drive means for engaging a first carrier of the train at the pickup station and moving the carrier along the track to the discharge station, and second conveying means operably connected to the drive means and located at the discharge station for engaging the last carrier in the train and moving the entire train forwardly a distance equal to the length of a carrier to thereby position the next succeeding carrier at the pickup station.

14. A merchandising display device, comprising an end less track, a series of carriers mounted for movement on the track and adapted to support articles to be displayed, said carriers being mounted in an end-to-end relation in the form of a train with the first carrier of said train being located at a pickup station and the last carrier in the train being located at a discharge station, drive means, first conveying means operably connected to the drive means for engaging a first carrier of the train at the pickup station and moving the carrier along the track to the discharge station, second conveying means operably connected to the drive means and located at the discharge station for engaging the last carrier in the train and moving the entire train forwardly a distance equal to the length of a carrier to thereby position the next succeeding carrier at the pickup station, and means for moving said second conveying means at a substantially slower rate of speed than said first conveyor means.

15. A merchandising display device, comprising a central support, a pair of arms mounted for rotation on said support and extending approximately 180 from each other, drive means connected to the arms for rotating said arms, a circular track disposed concentrically of said central support, a series of carriers mounted for movement on the track and adapted to support articles to be displayed, said carriers being mounted in an end-to-end relation in the form of a train with the first carrier of said train being located at a pickup station and the last carrier of the train being located at a discharge station, a conveying member connected to each arm for engaging the first carrier in the train at the pickup station and moving the carrier along the track and discharging the carrier at said discharge station, and cam actuated second conveying means synchronized with the movement of said arms for engagingthe last carrier in the train at the discharge station and moving the entire train along the track, said second conveying means having a speed less than the speed of rotation of said arms with each arm travelling approximately 180 while said second conveying means travels a distance approximately equal to the length of a carrier.

16. A merchandising display device, comprising an endless track, a series of carriers mounted for movement on the track and adapted to support articles to be displayed, said carriers being mounted in an end-to-end relation in the form of a train with the first carrier of said train being located at a pickup station and the last carrier in the train being located at a discharge station, projecting means connected to each carrier and extending inwardly over the track, first conveying means for engaging the first carrier in the train at the pickup station and moving the carrier along the track to the discharge station, means synchronized with said first conveying means for engaging the last carrier in the train at a discharge station and moving the entire train along the track a distance equal to the length of a carrier to position the next suc ceeding carrier at the pickup station, and means connected to each carrier and engageable with the projecting means of a next immediately preceding carrier for moving said first conveying means out of engagement with said carrier to thereby permit said first conveying means to only convey a single carrier from the pickup to the discharge station.

17. A merchandising display device, comprising a central support, an arm mounted for rotation on said support, drive means for rotating said arm, a circular track disposed concentrically of said central support, a series of carriers mounted for movement on the track and adapted to support articles to be displayed, said carriers being mounted in' an end-to-end relation in the form of a train with the first carrier of said train being located at a pickup station and the last carrier of the train being located at a discharge station, first conveying means for engaging the first carrier in the train at'the pickup station and moving the carrier along the track to the discharge station, a conveying member located at the discharge station for engaging the last carrier in the train, cam means operably connecting the conveying member to said drive means for driving the conveying member forwardly in synchroniza tion with said first conveying means a distance equal to the length of a carrier to thereby position the next succeeding carrier at the pickup station, and means for biasing the conveyor member rearwardly to thereby return the conveying member to the discharge station in position to engage the last carrier in the train.

18. A merchandising display device, comprising a central support, a pair of arms mounted for rotation on said support and extending approximately from each other, drive means connected to the arms for rotating said arms, an endless track disposed concentrically of said central support, a series of carriers mounted for movement on the track and adapted to support articles to be displayed, said carriers being mounted in an end-to-end relation in the form of a train with the first carrier of said train being located at a pickup station and the last carrier of the train being located at a discharge station, a pickup member connected to each of said arms, means to bias each pickup member outwardly at the pickup station to thereby engage the pickup member with the first carrier in the train and move the carrier along the track to the discharge station, cam means extending from the discharge station to the pickup station and located in a position to be engaged by the pickup member as the pickup member reaches the discharge station to thereby move the pickup member inwardly out of engagement with the carrier, and conveying means separate from said pickup member and operably connected to the drive means for engaging the last carrier in the train at the discharge station and moving the entire train forwardly a distance equal to the length of the carrier to thereby position the next succeeding car-- rier at the pickup station.

Claims

1. A MERCHANDISING DISPLAY DEVICE, COMPRISING AN ENDLESS TRACK, A SERIES OF CARRIERS ADAPTED TO SUPPORT ARTICLES TO BE DISPLAYED, MEANS FOR MOUNTING EACH CARRIER FOR INDIVIDUAL MOVEMENT ON SAID TRACK, CONVEYING MEANS INCLUDING A PIVOTALLY MOUNTED PICKUP ELEMENT FOR ENGAGING A CARRIER AND MOVING THE CARRIER ALONG THE TRACK FROM A RECEIVING STATION TO A DISCHARGE STATION, AND CAM MEANS FOR MOVING THE CONVEYING MEANS INTO CONTACT WITH THE CARRIER AT THE RECEIVING STATION AND FOR WITHDRAWING THE CONVEYING MEANS FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CARRIER AT THE DISCHARGE STATION, SAID PICKUP ELEMENT BEING DISPOSED TO PIVOT BY ENGAGEMENT WITH ENGAGING MEANS ON