US20130098855A1

US20130098855A1 - Device for Displaying Articles

Info

Publication number: US20130098855A1
Application number: US13/807,452
Authority: US
Inventors: Andreas Ewald
Original assignee: Visplay International AG
Current assignee: Visplay International AG
Priority date: 2010-07-02
Filing date: 2011-01-31
Publication date: 2013-04-25
Also published as: DE202010009767U1; RU2013104428A; EP2587969B1; ES2668227T3; EP2587969A1; WO2012000121A1; JP2013529514A

Abstract

The invention relates to the device for displaying articles, comprising a mounting (2) which has an internal cavity (25) with a cavity opening (250) and which is intended for fixing on a supporting structure (9). The device also comprises a primary support (3) which has an end piece (30) that is designed complementary to the cavity (25) and which is intended to be hooked into the mounting (2) in the cavity (25) in a stationary manner with the end piece (30) inserted through the cavity opening (250). The configuration of the end piece (30) on the primary support (3) and of the cavity (25) in the mounting (2) requires that the end piece (30) is inserted into the cavity opening (250) in an end piece (30) position that is inclined relative to the horizontal with the free end of the end piece (30) being lowered. When the intended hooked end position between the primary support (3) and the mounting (2) is achieved, the end piece (30) is inserted into the cavity (25) to the maximum depth. When fixed on the supporting structure (9) as intended, the cavity (25) rises from the cavity opening (250) in relation to the horizontal. The mounting (2) is fixed on the supporting structure (9) by inserting said mounting into a recess (92) on the supporting structure (9). The mounting (2) is a single piece and consists of a neck (20) that surrounds the cavity opening (250), a body (21) that extends axially and comprises a front shoulder (26) to which the neck (20) is joined, said neck having a smaller outer dimension, a floor (23) that forms the free end of the body (21) and lies diametrically opposite the neck (20), and a clamping contour (24) that lies on the outer casing of the body (21). The mounting (2) further has a widened portion (22) that runs axially along the upper face of the body (21).

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for displaying articles and includes a holder which is intended for insertion into a carrying structure, and a primary carrier which can be plugged into the holder by way of its end piece. Typical carrying structures are panels, rear walls and supports. These types of devices are used first and foremost in shops and at exhibitions for displaying goods. The articles presented—e.g. items of clothing, accessories, glasses and merchandise packaging—can be suspended directly on the primary carrier. As an alternative to this, one or several primary carriers can be utilized to support differently configured secondary carriers, such as, for example, trays, boxes, baskets and cross carriers which, in turn, accommodate the articles to be presented.

PRIOR ART

A first type of pointwise suspending devices is disclosed in WO 2006/086 897 A1, where there is a recess in the plug-in sleeve, in which a fixed, vertically projecting stop element on the plug-in part of the carrier, which is to be inserted into the plug-in sleeve initially in an inclined manner, engages once it is aligned into the horizontal.
In the case of a further type of pointwise suspending devices as claimed in publications WO 97/26809 A1 and DE 202 02 856 U1, a resiliently impressable stop element protrudes radially out of the plug-in part of the carrier, said stop element, in the state inserted into the plug-in sleeve, latches into a recess arranged therein.
A next type of pointwise suspending devices has an indentation on the plug-in part of the carrier, into which indentation, in the state inserted into the plug-in sleeve, a spring member resting therein latches.
WO 2007/071 079 A1, WO 2005/055 774 A1 and DE 20 2009 001 247 U1 include a type of pointwise suspending devices where there is a raised stop element in the plug-in sleeve, which raised stop element engages in a recess on the plug-in part of the carrier, which is to be introduced initially in an inclined manner, once it has been aligned into the horizontal.
The present invention is also concerned with the type of pointwise suspension device.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Proceeding from the genus of the pointwise suspension device, the object underlying the invention is to create a simplified device which also manages without spring elements and is able to be produced and mounted in series at an economical cost.
A further object, by way of the device produced from a sleeve-shaped holder and a primary carrier which can be plugged therein, is to support differently configured secondary carriers, such as, for example, trays, boxes, baskets and cross carriers, which, in turn, accommodate the articles to be presented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device for displaying articles includes a holder, wherein said holder has an internal cavity with a cavity mouth and is intended for fastening on a carrying structure, and a primary carrier, wherein said primary carrier has an end piece which is realized so as to be complementary to the cavity and is intended to be introduced by way of the end piece through the cavity mouth resting in the cavity so as to be suspended in the holder. The configuration of the end piece on the primary carrier and of the cavity in the holder requires the insertion of the end piece into the cavity mouth in a position of the end piece inclined in relation to the horizontal with the free end of the end piece lowered. When the correct suspended end position is achieved between the primary carrier and the holder, the end piece is pushed into the cavity to a maximum depth. When the correct fastening on the carrying structure is achieved, the cavity ascends from the cavity mouth thereof in relation to the horizontal.
Special embodiments of the device are described below: The fastening of the holder on the carrying structure is realized by insertion into a recess on the carrying structure.
The holder is in one piece and consists of:

- a) a neck which surrounds the cavity mouth;
- b) a body which extends axially with a front shoulder, onto which is placed the neck, which is smaller in its outer dimension;
- c) a base which forms the free end of the body and lies diametrically opposite the neck; and
- d) a clamping contour which is arranged on the outer surface of the body.

The holder additionally has a widening which extends axially along the top surface of the body.
The holder is produced as a plastics material injection molded part and consists, for example, of polyamide. The clamping contour is realized, for example, as toothing. The cavity mouth is widened outward in a funnel-shaped manner. The cavity mouth extends as far as the base and ascends toward the widening in an arcuate manner. The end piece is developed in an arcuate manner.
The cavity in the holder and the end piece of the primary carrier has a rectangular cross section. The neck is cylindrical on the outside.
The primary carrier is realized in one piece. The end piece of the primary carrier closes off at the free end thereof by way of an end face. The primary carrier has a rod part which connects to a step-shaped transition which borders on the end piece on the other side.
A stopper is present as a stop member on the free end of the rod part of the primary carrier. As an alternative to this, the rod part of the primary carrier is provided with a plurality of upwardly projecting tines in order, for example, to keep hung clothes hangers at a spacing. In addition, a secondary carrier in the form of a cross strut can be fixed on the rod part of the primary carrier. In a further modification, there is a hook on the free end of the rod part of the primary carrier for suspending a secondary carrier in the form of a cross rod which is supported at the same time by at least one further primary carrier. In a next development, there is a stopper as a stop member on the free end of the rod part of the primary carrier and there is a claw in the vicinity of the end piece in order to accommodate a secondary carrier in the form of a tray which is supported at the same time by at least one further primary carrier.
The recess on the carrying structure for the inserted fastening of a holder consists of:

- a) an opening which opens out on a front side of the carrying structure and is intended for accommodating the neck of the holder;
- b) an inlet area which opens out on the rear side of the carrying structure, ends on a shoulder prior to the transition into the opening and is intended for accommodating the body of the holder; and
- c) a bulge which extends at the top from the inlet area and is intended for accommodating the widening of the holder.

Consequently, the holder can be inserted from the rear end of the carrying structure into the recess with its neck in front. In the state of the holder inserted into the recess, the base of the holder preferably closes off in a flush manner with the rear side and at least the body forms a press fit with the recess.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ATTACHED DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1A—shows a perspective view of an exemplary design with the devices as claimed in the invention, consisting of holders inserted into a panel as the carrying structure and primary carriers inserted therein, with secondary carriers supported by some primary carriers;

FIG. 1B—shows a front view of the installation according to FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C—show a side view of the installation according to FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A—shows perspective front views of a holder;

FIG. 2B—shows a perspective rear view of the holder according to FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C—shows a side view of the holder according to FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D—shows a front view of the holder according to FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2E—shows a vertical section of the holder along the line A-A according to FIG. 2D;

FIG. 2F—shows a horizontal section of the holder along the line B-B according to FIG. 2D;

FIG. 3A—shows a perspective view of a primary carrier from FIG. 1A, with a straight rod part;

FIG. 3B—shows the enlarged detail X1 from FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C—shows a side view of the primary carrier according to FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D—shows a perspective view of a primary carrier from FIG. 1A, with an angled rod part and a sequence of tines;

FIG. 3E—shows a perspective view of a primary carrier from FIG. 1A, with a straight rod part and a claw in the vicinity of the end piece for supporting a tray as a secondary carrier;

FIG. 3F—shows a perspective view of a primary carrier with a curved rod part and a cross strut fixed thereon as a secondary carrier;

FIG. 3G—shows a perspective view of a primary carrier with a straight rod part and a hook at the free end for supporting a cross rod as a secondary carrier;

FIG. 4—shows a perspective view of a cross rod as a secondary carrier

FIG. 5A—shows a cutout from the carrying structure according to FIG. 1A, on the rear side thereof, in the region of a recess;

FIG. 5B—shows a vertical section in the carrying structure through the recess along the line C-C according to FIG. 5A;

FIGS. 6A to 6C: show schematic representations of the operation of inserting a holder according to FIG. 2A into a recess in the carrying structure, in three stages;

FIG. 6A—shows the initial stage: the holder is moved closer to the recess in an axially aligned manner with its neck first, a counter holder is placed on the front side of the carrying structure;

FIG. 6B—shows the intermediate stage: the holder is pressed partially into the recess;

FIG. 6C—shows the end stage: the holder is pressed into the recess in the correct end position, the counter holder is removed;

FIGS. 7A to 7D: show schematic representations of the operation of suspending a primary carrier according to FIG. 3A in a holder according to FIG. 6C which is inserted in the carrying structure, in two positions;

FIG. 7A—the initial position: the primary carrier, inclined and with its end piece lowered in relation to the horizontal, is moved closer to the cavity mouth of the holder;

FIG. 7B—shows the enlarged detail X2 from FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C—shows the end position: the primary carrier is suspended in principle horizontally in the holder, the end piece of the primary carrier rests at maximum depth in the cavity of the holder; and

FIG. 7D—shows the enlarged detail X3 from FIG. 7C.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the device as claimed in the invention is effected below with structural variants for different applications.
The following statement applies to the entire further description. If reference numerals are included in a figure for the purposes of unambiguousness in the drawing, but are not explained in the directly associated text of the description, reference will be made to the mention thereof in preceding or subsequent figure descriptions. In the interests of clarity, the repeated designation of components in further figures is dispensed with for the most part, insofar as it can be recognized clearly from the drawing that it is a question of “recurring” components.

FIGS. 1A to 1C

In the case of fitting out, shown as an example, the carrying structure 9 which is provided as a panel, said carrying structure has a grid of recesses 92 which open out to the front side 90 and to the rear side 91. Primary carriers 3 in the form of straight arms or downwardly angled arms are suspended in some of said recesses 92. Further bracket-shaped primary carriers 3 support secondary carriers 4 in the form of cross struts 42. A tray 41 as a secondary carrier 4 is supported by two primary carriers 3 which are positioned at the same height. The non-fitted-out recesses 92 are unoccupied and appear as holes which could be covered for visual reasons. In said sequence of figures, holders 2 (not shown)—see FIGS. 2A-2F—are inserted into the recesses 92 for the suspending of primary carriers 3.

FIGS. 2A to 2E

The sleeve-shaped holder 2 is in one part and consists initially of a neck 20 which is cylindrical on the outside and surrounds the cavity mouth 250, as well as an axially extending body 21 with a front shoulder 26, the neck 20, which is smaller in dimension, being placed thereon. The free end of the body 21 is formed by a base 23 which is diametrically opposite the neck 20. A widening 22, which is arcuate in cross section, extends axially on the top surface of the body 21. A clamping contour 24 which is preferably realized as toothing extends over the outer surface of the body 21 and the widening 22. The cavity mouth 250 is widened outwardly in a funnel-shaped manner, the cavity 25 having a rectangular cross section, extending as far as to the base 23 and ascending toward the widening 22 in an arcuate manner. The holder 2 is produced as a plastics material injection molded part and consists, for example, of polyamide.

FIGS. 3A to 3C

The single-part primary carrier 3 with a straight rod part 35 has an end piece 30 which is rectangular in cross section, is developed in an arcuate manner and is realized in a complementary manner to the cavity 25 in the holder 2. The end piece 30 of the primary carrier 3 has an end face 31 at the free end thereof. The rod part 35, which is thickened in relation to the end piece 30, connects to a step-shaped transition 32 which at the other end borders on the end piece 30. At the free end of the rod part 35 there is a stopper 39 as a stop member.

FIGS. 3D to 3F

The angled rod part 35 of the primary carrier 3 is provided with a plurality of upwardly projecting tines 36 in order, for example, to keep hung coat hangers at a spacing (see FIG. 3D). In a next variant, at the free end of the straight rod part 35 of the primary carrier 3 there is a stopper 39 as a stop member and in the vicinity of the end piece 30 there is a claw 37 in order to accommodate the secondary carrier 4 in the form of a tray 41 (see FIG. 3E). At least one further primary carrier 3 of this type is used in each case to support secondary carriers 4 in the form of trays 41. In an alternative design, the secondary carrier 4 in the form of a cross strut 42 is fixed on the curved rod part 35 of the primary carrier 3 (see FIG. 3F).

FIGS. 3G and 4

At the free end of the straight rod part 35 of the primary carrier 3 there is a hook 38 for suspending the secondary carrier 4 in the form of a cross rod 43 which at the same time is supported by at least one further identically realized primary carrier 3. The free ends of the cross rod 43 of the secondary carrier 4 are provided in each case with a stopper 49 as a stop member.

FIGS. 5A and 5B

The recess 92 of the carrying structure 9 for insertion of the holder 2 consists of:

- an opening 920 which opens out on the front side 90 of the carrying structure 9 and is intended for accommodating the neck 20 of the holder 2;
- an inlet area 922 which opens out on the rear side 91 of the carrying structure 9, ends on a shoulder 921 prior to the transition into the opening 920 and is intended for accommodating the body 21 of the holder 2; and
- a bulge 923 which extends at the top from the inlet area 922 and is intended for accommodating the widening 22 of the holder 2.

FIGS. 6A to 6C

The principle sequence of the insertion of the holder 2 into the recess 92 in the carrying structure 9 is illustrated by way of said sequence of figures.

FIG. 6A (Initial Stage)

With its neck 20 in front, the holder 2 is moved closer to the recess 92 from the rear side 91 of the carrying structure 9. In this case, the body 21 of the holder 2 is positioned in the axial alignment direction with respect to the recess 92 and the widening 22 of the holder 2 is positioned in the axial alignment direction with respect to the bulge 923 of the recess 92. During the operation for the insertion of the holder 2 into the recess 92—in practice by knocking it in from the rear side 91—it is possible for a counter holder 8 to be placed in position on the front side 90 in order to prevent said holder from coming out of the opening 920.

FIG. 6B (Intermediate Stage)

The holder 2 is partially pressed into the recess 92 by way of its body 21. In this case, the body 21 rests in part in the inlet area 922 and the widening 22 has penetrated into the bulge 923. The neck 20 of the holder 2 lies in the inlet area 922 still in front of the opening 920. The base 23 of the holder 2 and the adjacent part of the body 21 still stand out beyond the rear side 91 of the carrying structure 91.

FIG. 6C (Final Stage)

The holder 2 is pressed completely into the recess 92 of the carrying structure 9 with neck 20, body 21 and widening 22. In this case—depending on tolerances—the front shoulder 26 of the holder 2 can move forward as far as the shoulder 921 between the inlet area 922 and the opening 920. The neck 20 rests in the opening 920, the body 21 in the inlet area 922 and the widening 22 in the bulge 923. In an advantageous manner, the frontmost edge of the neck 20 can be allowed to protrude in a minimum manner over the front side 90 of the carrying structure 9 in order, consequently, when suspending the primary carrier 3, to protect the surface region on the front side 90 of the carrying structure 9 around the emerging neck 20. The base 23 of the holder 2 closes off in a preferably flush manner with the rear side 91 and the surfaces of body 21 and widening 22 forms a press fit with the recess 92. The counter holder 8 is removed from the front side 90 of the carrying structure 9.

FIGS. 7A to 7D

The operation of suspending a primary carrier 3 with a straight rod part 35 in a holder 2 inserted in the carrying structure 9 is basically illustrated by means of said sequence of figures.

FIGS. 7A and 7B (Initial Position)

The primary carrier 3, with its end piece 30 in front, lowered in relation to the horizontal, is initially moved from the front side 90 of the carrying structure 9 closer to the holder 2 which is inserted into the recess 92 and to the cavity mouth 250 thereof. As in the example shown, a primary carrier 3 with a straight rod part 35 is used, the entire primary carrier 3 is situated in a position which is inclined in relation to the horizontal, i.e. the end of the rod part 35 with the stopper 39 is raised, whilst the end piece 30 is right at the bottom. The configuration of the end piece 30 on the primary carrier 3 and the cavity 25 in the holder 2 require the position of the end piece 30 to be inclined in relation to the horizontal when the end piece 30 is introduced into the cavity mouth 250, which is widened toward the front side 90 in a funnel-shaped manner. The end face 31 on the end piece 30 of the primary carrier 3 is gradually moved closer to the cavity mouth 250.

FIGS. 7C and 7D (Final Position)

The funnel-shape of the cavity mouth 250 has facilitated the insertion of the end piece 30. The primary carrier 3 is suspended in the holder 2, in principle, in a horizontal manner, the end piece 30 of the primary carrier 3 resting at maximum depth in the cavity 25 of the holder 2. If the tolerances of the length of the end piece 30 and the depth of the cavity 25 were to allow an even deeper insertion of the end piece 30, the transition 32 and the cavity mouth 250 would impact against each other such that the depth of insertion of the primary carrier 3 is limited in all cases and a plurality of primary carriers 3 suspended on a carrying structure 9 produces a precise appearance. For visual compensation, i.e. avoiding a downwardly sagging impression on the suspended primary carrier 3 with a straight rod part 35, in particular under load, a set angle a of, for example, 1.5° is provided, i.e. the rod part 35 has a slightly ascending tendency toward the free end projecting into the area. The operation of the releasing of a primary carrier 3 out of the holder 2 is effected in a reverse manner gradually raising the free end of the rod part 35 and at the same time pulling the end piece 30 out of the cavity 25.

Claims

1. A device for displaying articles, including:

a) a holder (2), wherein said holder:

aa) has an internal cavity (25) with a cavity mouth (250); and

ab) is intended for fastening on a carrying structure (9); and

b) a primary carrier (3), wherein said primary carrier:

ba) has an end piece (30) which is realized so as to be complementary to the cavity (25); and

bb) is intended to be introduced by way of the end piece (30) through the cavity mouth (250) resting in the cavity (25) so as to be suspended in the holder (2);

c) the configuration of the end piece (30) on the primary carrier (3) and of the cavity (25) in the holder (2) and the insertion of the end piece (30) into the cavity mouth (250) require the end piece (30) to be in a position inclined in relation to the horizontal with the free end of the end piece (30) lowered; and

d) when the correct suspended end position is achieved between the primary carrier (3) and the holder (2), the end piece (30) is pushed into the cavity (25) to a maximum depth, characterized in that

e) when the correct fastening on the carrying structure (9) is achieved, the cavity (25) ascends from the cavity mouth (250) thereof in relation to the horizontal.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the fastening of the holder (2) on the carrying structure (9) is realized by insertion into a recess (92) on the carrying structure (9).

3. The device as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the holder (2) is in one piece and consists of:

a) a neck (20) which surrounds the cavity mouth (250);

b) a body (21) which extends axially with a front shoulder (26), onto which is placed the neck (20), which is smaller in its outer dimension;

c) a base (23) which forms the free end of the body (21) and lies diametrically opposite the neck (20); and

d) a clamping contour (24) which is arranged on the outer surface of the body (21).

4. The device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the holder (2) additionally has a widening (22) which extends axially along the top surface of the body (21).

5. The device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that

a) the holder (2) is produced as a plastics material injection molded part and consists, for example, of polyamide;

b) the clamping contour (24) is realized, for example, as toothing;

c) the cavity mouth (250) is widened outward in a funnel-shaped manner;

d) the cavity (25) extends as far as the base (23) and ascends toward the widening (22) in an arcuate manner; and

e) the end piece (30) is developed in an arcuate manner.

6. The device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that

a) the cavity (25) in the holder (2) and the end piece (30) of the primary carrier (3) have a rectangular cross section; and

b) the neck (20) is cylindrical on the outside.

7. The device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that

a) the primary carrier (3) is realized in one piece;

b) the end piece (30) of the primary carrier (3) closes off at the free end thereof by way of an end face (31); and

c) the primary carrier (3) has a rod part (35) which connects to a step-shaped transition (32) which borders on the end piece (30) on the other side.

8. The device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that

a) a stopper (39) is present as a stop member on the free end of the rod part (35) of the primary carrier (3); or

b) the rod part (35) of the primary carrier (3) is provided with a plurality of upwardly projecting tines (36) in order, for example, to keep hung clothes hangers at a spacing; or

c) a secondary carrier (4) in the form of a cross strut (42) is fixed on the rod part (35) of the primary carrier (3); or

d) there is a hook (38) on the free end of the rod part (35) of the primary carrier (3) for suspending a secondary carrier (4) in the form of a cross rod (43) which is supported at the same time by at least one further primary carrier (3); or

e) there is a stopper (39) as a stop member on the free end of the rod part (35) of the primary carrier (3) and there is a claw (37) in the vicinity of the end piece (30) in order to accommodate a secondary carrier (4) in the form of a tray (41) which is supported at the same time by at least one further primary carrier (3).

9. The device as claimed in one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that

a) the recess (92) on the carrying structure (9) for the inserted fastening of a holder (2) consists of:

aa) an opening (920) which opens out on a front side (90) of the carrying structure (9) and is intended for accommodating the neck (20) of the holder (2);

ab) an inlet area (922) which opens out on the rear side (91) of the carrying structure (9), ends on a shoulder (921) prior to the transition into the opening (920) and is intended for accommodating the body (21) of the neck (2); and

ac) a bulge (923) which extends at the top from the inlet area (922) and is intended for accommodating the widening (22) of the holder (2);

b) the holder (2) can consequently be inserted from the rear side (91) of the carrying structure (9) into the recess (92) with its neck (20) in front; and

c) in the state of the holder (2) inserted into the recess (92), the base (23) of the holder (2) preferably closes off in a flush manner with the rear side (91) and at least the body (21) forms a press fit with the recess (92).