US3538862A - Display assembly - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent Dirk R. Patriarca Primary Examiner Bobby R. Gay

Assistant ExaminerGlenn O. Finch Attorney-Salter & Michaelson ABSTRACT: A display assembly for displaying articles of merchandise in a retail establishment or the like, comprising a pair of individual free-standing units, each of which has a pair of vertical supporting posts on which there are mounted a plurality of vertically spaced display shelves. The units are interconnected by means of additional display shelves which are pivotally connected to one of the supporting posts of each of the units, whereupon each of the units maybe pivoted with respect to the interconnecting shelves and with respect to each other to assume a wide variety of assembly configuratrons.

Patnted Nov. 10, 1970 3,538,862

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DISPLAY ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Display units comprising vertical stanchions and horizontal shelves have long been used to display merchandise in various retail establishments, but the need has long existed for a display unit or assembly having the capability and versatility of assuming different configurations so that the unit might be readily adapted to the area or space available for maintaining the unit. Heretofore, if it was desired to position a display unit in a corner so that goods might be displayed along both of the intersecting walls, it was necessary to provide separate units, one for each wall, or else use a custom-designed and manufactured unit. Likewise, the need or desire sometimes arises to position a display unit adjacent to or around a column or post that may be present in the display area. Here again, existing units do not lend themselves to being positioned at such a location without loss of display and/or floor space, thus once again necessitating a custom design for such a unit.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It has therefore been found desirable to provide a display assembly comprising at least two individual free-standing units, each of which has a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally disposed shelves mounted on one or more vertical supporting posts. A pair of such units are then interconnected to form the display assembly of the instant invention by means of additional horizontally disposed shelves which are pivotally connected to the supporting posts of adjacent units. Due to this pivotal interconnection, each unit may be rotated with respect to the interconnecting shelf and at the same time with respect to the other unit which makes up the assembly. Thus, a wide variety of assembly configurations may be readily achieved, whereupon the display assembly may be conveniently and effectively adapted to the particular space in which the assembly is to be maintained.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a display assembly capable of readily assuming a variety of different configurations in order to conveniently and effectively conform to the space requirements of the area in which the assembly is to be positioned.

Another object is the provision of a display assembly having maximum display area and accessibility.

Another object is the provision of a display assembly having separate display units interconnected and pivotally associated with each other, each of said units having a plurality of vertically spaced and horizontally disposed shelves, and means for readily adjusting the height and spacing of said shelves.

A further object is the provision of a display assembly of the character described wherein the individual units which make up the assembly each has a lighted housing mounted at its upper extremity, and means for conveniently feeding the electric wiring to said housings.

Another object is the provision of a display assembly of the character described that is economically feasible to manufacture, but which nevertheless is durable in use and highly attractive in appearance.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display assembly comprising the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, showing the supporting structure for the shelves which form a part of the instant invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, showing the electrical wiring assembly which forms a part of the instant invention; and

FIGS. 4 through 8 are plan views, on a reduced scale, illustrating some of the configurations which may be assumed by the display assembly of the instant invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown generally at 10 a display assembly constructed in accordance with the instant invention. The assembly 10 comprises a pair of identical free-standing units, each shown generally at 12. Each of the units 12 comprises a pair of vertically disposed supporting posts 14, constructed of any suitable structural material, such as metal; and for reasons hereinafter to be described, the posts 14 are of hollow, tubular form. At their lower extremities, each of the posts 14 is received by a suitable pedestal support 16. It will be understood that the pedestals 16 are secured to posts 14 by any suitable means and serve to maintain the posts 14 in substantially vertical disposition.

The posts 14 of each unit 12 carry a plurality of vertical spaced and horizontally disposed shelves 18, said shelves each having a pair of openings 20 which slidably receive therethrough the posts 14. The particular configuration of the shelves 18 is immaterial, although the shelves are preferably of an elongated configuration so as to span the posts 14 and at the same time extend therebeyond.

Each of the posts 14 is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced openings 22 extending horizontally through the post, as shown most clearly in FIG. 2. A metallic pin 24 extends through the openings 22 and outwardly of post 14, as shown in FIG. 2, whereupon to serve as a support for the shelves 18. As will be obvious, the height and spacing of the shelves 18 may be readily adjusted by positioning the pin 24 in a preselected opening 22. Thus it will be seen that the shelves I8 are not actually secured to the posts 24 but rather simply sit upon the pins 24. Since each shelf 18 is mounted on a pair of posts 14, it is obvious that the shelves are incapable of rotation with respect to the posts.

At the upper end of each unit 12, and mounted on the posts 14 in a manner now to be described, are housings 26 comprising a plastic, translucent body 28 having a cover 30 of wood or, similar material secured thereto by any suitable means. Secured to cover 30 is a rigid tube 32 of aluminum or the like, which tube is adapted to slidingly telescope over the upper end of post 14, as shown most clearly in FIG. 3. Cover 30 is provided with openings 34 in alignment with the posts 14. A stop member 36 is secured to the upper surface of cover 30 and defines an opening 38, the diameter of which is less than the diameter of post 40, whereupon said stop member acts as a limit stop for the housing 26 with respect to post 14. Ex-

pressed differently, when it is desired to assemble the housing 26 on unit 12, it is simply necessary to align the openings 34 with the posts 14 so that the tubular member 32 slides down over the upper free end of the posts 14 until the upper edge of the post is engaged by the under surface of stop members 36,- which engagement serves to prevent further downward movement of the housing 26 with respect to the posts 14. Mounted within each housing 26 is any suitable electriclight means, as shown, for example, at 40. The wiring 42 for the light means 40 is passed upwardly through the hollow post 14 and then makes electrical connection with the light means. In order to prevent the plug 44 carried by wire 42 from falling back down into post 14, a rubber grommet member 46 is frictionally maintained within post 14 adjacent its upper extremity, it being obvious that the inner diameter of said grommet is less than the cross dimension of plug 44, whereupon the latter is prevented from falling back down into post 14 a distance sufficient to prevent its being manually grasped.

It will be understood that the housings 26 primarily serve an ornamental function, although articles of merchandise could be mounted on surface 30 if one desired. When lit, the light means 40 glow through the translucent body 28, it being obvious that suitable advertising indicia or the like could be rinted on the translucent surface 28. Also, if one desired, the housing 26 could be mounted adjacent the bottom of posts 14 rather than at the top extremities thereof.

The individual units 12 are pivotally connected to each other to form the assembly 10 by means of interconnecting shelves 18, which shelves may be of similar configuration and construction to the aforedescribed shelves 18. As will be seen most clearly in FIG. I, the shelves 48 are mounted on the posts 14 of adjacent units 12, whereupon one end of shelf 48 is mounted on the post 14 of one unit, while the other end of each shelf 48 is mounted on the post 14 of the next-adjacent unit. Since the shelves 48 are mounted on the posts 14 in the same manner as the shelves 18 are mounted on their respective supporting posts, it follows that shelf 48 is free to rotate with respect to its supporting posts. This in turn means that each unit 12 may be pivoted with respect to the other unit 12 that makes up assembly 10. For example, FIGS. 1 and 7 show the connecting shelves 28 extending in the same direction as the shelves 18 of one of the units 12 but substantially perpendicularly disposed with respect to the shelves 18 of the other unit 12. This arrangement is of particular utility where it is desired to position assembly 10 in or around a corner. FIG. 4 shows the assembly 10 with both of the units 1.2 and the interconnecting shelves 48 extending in the same direction to provide a straight-line configuration. FIG. 5 shows both units 12 substantially perpendicularly disposed with respect to connecting shelves 48 to provide a U-shaped assembly, while FIG. 6 shows a generally similar configuration, although the units l2 each make an obtuse angle with respect to connecting shelves 48 rather than the right angle as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 shows a generally Z-shape or zigzag configuration.

It will be understood that FIGS. 4 through 8 illustrate only some of the configurations that may be assumed by the assembly Ill). It will further be understood that although each assembly 10 comprises two individual units 12 interconnected by the shelves 48, additional units 12 can be added on by use of additional connecting shelves 48 to provide an assembly having any desired number of units 12, it being obvious that a wider variety of configurations can be achieved as more units 12 are interconnected.

The shelves E8 of each unit 12 in assembly 10 may or may not be at the same height. It is obvious, however, that since the connecting shelves 4S overlap the ends of shelves 1%, the connecting shelves must be at a different height on posts 14 then are the shelves 1%. It will be apparent that any desired number of shelves 18 may be employed in each unit 32 (one or more), while, by the same token, one or more connecting shelves 48 may be used, as desired, in each assembly It). It will be clear that to remove and assemble the shelves 18, it is simply necessary to lift the housing 26 off the upper end of posts M, after which the shelves 38 may be slid upwardly along the posts 34 and removed therefrom, it being obvious that after the uppermost shelf 18 has been removed, it will be necessary to disengage its supporting pins 24. Thus, the spacing and height of shelves 18, as well as the shelves 48, may be quickly and easily adjusted.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. A display assembly comprising a pair of free-standing individual units, each unit comprising a pair of spaced, substantially vertically disposed supporting posts, a horizontally disposed first shelf on each unit mounted on said posts, said assembly further comprising a horizontally disposed second shelf interconnecting said units, said second shelf being pivotally connected adjacent one ofits ends to one of the posts of one unit and adacent its other end to one ofthe posts of the other unit, where y said units may be swung with respect to each other to form a variety of different assembly configurations.

2. In the display assembly of claim 1, means for mounting said first and second shelves at various predetermined heights on said supporting posts.

3. The display assembly of claim 1 further characterized in that each unit has a plurality of vertically spaced first shelves.

4. The display assembly of claim 3 further characterized in that a plurality of vertically spaced second shelves interconnect said units.

5. In the display assembly of claim 1, each unit having a housing mounted at the top of its supporting post, and electric-light means in said housing.

6. In the display assembly of claim 5, said supporting post being tubular, the wiring for said electric-light means extending upwardly through said tubular posts to said housings.

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