US3797669A

US3797669A - Device for displaying carpet samples

Info

Publication number: US3797669A
Application number: US00246331A
Authority: US
Inventors: P Schacht
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-04-23
Filing date: 1972-04-21
Publication date: 1974-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 1991-03-19
Also published as: DE2120050A1; DE2120050B2; IT953322B; BE782507A; DE2120050C3; AT318851B; CH541950A; FR2136660A5

Abstract

This invention relates to a holder adapted to be mounted in a framework and to receive a carpet sample in the form of a roll comprising a base portion, wall means at the edge of said base portion and extending substantially normal to the plane of said base portion, and means on said holder whereby it may be mounted in a framework.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Schacht 1 1 Mar. 19, 1974 [54] DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING CARPET 662.762 11/1900 Brownell 242/68.7 SAMPLES 3.636.893 1/1972 Lange s 211/148 X 1.289.872 12/1918 Mueller... 211/60 R Inventor: Peter ch Tranustem 2,694,533 11/1954 Zucker 242/553 M rienstr. 3, Ruh oldi Germ n a p a y FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] Flled: 1972 549.467 10/1956 Italy 211/148 [21] APPL NOJ 2 331 1,060,238 8/1957 Germany 211/148 Primary Exami'ner-Roy D. Frazier [30] Forelgn Apphcatm pnontvy Data Assistant Examiner-Thomas J. Holko Apr. 23, 1971 Germany 2120050 Attqrngy A nt, or Fir james E. Bryan, Esq.

[52] US. Cl......-. 211/44, 211/177 [51] Int. Cl. A47f 7/17 [57.] ABSTRACT 58 Field of Search 211/44, 45, 71, 74, 72, T1115 Invention relates to a holder adapted to be 31/177, 2 2 533 &7; 20 72; mounted in a framework and to receive a carpet sam- 248/314, 3 3464 ple in the form of a roll comprising a base portion, wall means at the edge of said base portion and ex- [56] References Cited I tending substantially normal to the plane of said base UNITED STATES PATENTS portion, and means on said holder whereby it may be J mounted in a framework. 1.124.615 1/1915 Hawk 242/553 831.205 9/1906 Barnard 248/314 X 15 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 1 DEVICE FoR'DlsPLA'YING CARPET SAMPLES The present invention relates'to a device designed for carpet samples which are rolled up in a roll, wherein each roll is enclosed by a holder at each end face thereof, and wherein the holders are kept at a distance with respect to each other by means of connecting elements.

Already known in the art are various devices or means for displaying particularly larger carpet samples and for holding these carpet samples.

Known in the art, for example, are devices with the aid of which the carpet samples'are suspended in a manner similar to pivotal towel racks. This device or arrangement, however, has the disadvantages that only very few carpet samples can be viewed at the same time; that it hardly can be prevented that the adjacent carpet samples cover the one which is intended to be viewed at a specific time, as far as light is concerned, and that the carpet samples are bent at the point or place where they are placed over the holding means.

According to another prior art device, the carpet samples are suspended on brackets which are similar to clothes hangers, and these brackets or hangers are hooked into a rod. This device or arrangement is suitable, however, only for relatively small carpet samples, whereas the customers really wish to see as large a sample as possiblein order to better be able to evaluate it. The heretofore proposed devices for displaying carpet samples have the further disadvantage that theyhardly can be aesthetically advantageously arranged in a display. room. In contrast thereto, they actually look inorganic in a display room and take up much space because of the bulky configuration thereof.

It is the object of thepresent invention to provide a device for displaying carpet samples which eliminates the disadvantages and drawbacks mentioned hereinabove, while allowing for introducing the carpet samples into the device in avery simple manner, and which may be composed of displaying devices of any desired size.

This object is obtained, in accordance with the present invention, in a device of the type referred to hereinabove by virtue of the fact that each holder or holding means has a bottom from the edge of which project holding or supporting members essentially at a right angle to the plane of extension thereof, at least on one side of this plane.

In order to be introduced into the device of the present invention, a carpet sample must be first rolled up and then inserted between the two holders being provided at a distance from each other. When the carpet sample'is then released, it will unroll again to some extent due to its proper elasticity until it is seized or grasped by the two holders or holding means within the area of the end faces thereof. No additional clamping or fastening means of any kind are required for holding the carpet sample in this case. By virtue of the fact that the. carpet sample is loosely wound or rolled up by the inventive device, the carpet sample also.is not bent or cracked. When the carpet sample is taken out of the device in order to be displayed and shown to a customer in the entire length thereof, it may be smoothly stretched out flat on the floor. The inventive device further has the advantage that-even larger samples may be accommodated within a relatively small amount of space. For example, a sample having a size of 70 centimeters by ISO centimeters may be rolled up to form a roll which is 70 centimeters high and has a diameter of centimeters.

Each holder or holding means on one side of the plane of the bottom thereof is advantageously provided only for receiving the end face of one roller. As a result thereof, the holders or holding means and the connecting elements or pieces thereof may be put together to form display walls of almost any desired size and of almost any desired configuration.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the holding members project from both sides of the plane of the bottom. This construction or provision renders it possible to make up an entire column of rolled-up carpet samples by virtue of the fact that the carpet samples are disposed in alignment with the roller axes thereof. In this case, one holder or holding means serves in each case for simultaneously holding in place those end faces of carpet samples which are adjacent in the roller axis direction. In this manner it is possible to arrange several rolled-up carpet samples either vertically above each other, or horizontally next to each other.

- According. to the present invention, the holding members may vbe formed by a wall surrounding the edge of the bottom. This affords the advantage that the end face of a rolled-up carpet sample is completely enclosed outwardly, and as a consequence thereof, the carpet edge or border which sometimes becomes unsightly to view or look at because of fraying is conveniently covered. In contrast thereto, the continuous wall conveys a quiet, aesthetically pleasing impression.

In order that the rolled-up carpet samples may be easily introduced into the device and equally easily be removed therefrom, and where two holders for one carpet sample are concerned, the wall in the case of one holder will project farther from the floor thereof than is the case for the other holder. If, for example, a carpet sample is intended to be vertically positioned with the roller axis thereof, the holder whose wall projects farther from the bottom thereof will be disposed at the upper side of the carpet sample, while the other holder or holding means will be disposed below. For purposes of the insertion or introduction into the two holders or holding means, the rolled-up carpet sample is first of all inserted far into the upper holder; it is thereafter brought into alignment with the lower holder and lastly lowered thereinto. When the carpet sample is then released, it will come to be evenly positioned against the walls of the two holders. If the carpet sample is horizontally positioned with the roller axis thereof, an elastic intermediate bottom must be suitably provided in the holder whose wall projects farther from the bottom thereof, so that the sample is securely held in the position thereof.

If it is intended to arrange several carpet samples in series and in alignment with the roller axes thereof, the holders or holding means are suitably so provided and arranged that the wall thereof on both sides of the plane of extension of the bottom'will project to a varying degree from theedge of the bottom. As a result thereof, the holders or holding means of adjacent end faces of carpet samples are in each case combined to form one piece.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible to dispose a slot in the wall which extends almost tangentially with respect to this wall and is continued to the bottom, and which further allows for the insertion thereinto of a carpet sample. Since both holding means for a carpet sample have these slots, the carpet sample does need not be first rolled up in order to be introduced into the holders, but may be instead just inserted into the slots, whereby it will be automatically rolled up.

According to a still further embodiment of the present invention, no holding members need be provided at a larger, continuous marginal area. This marginal area must, however, be at least so large that a carpet sample which is tightly rolled up may be slid or inserted into the holder or holding means in this marginal area but, on the other hand, it must only be so large that the carpet sample is securely held in position within the holders by the holding members when it has become unrolled, after being released, by virtue of its own elasticrty.

The bottom advantageously has an approximately circular configuration. The carpet samples will then become rolled up, after having been inserted and released, due to the influence of their own elasticity, so as to essentially form cylinders having a circular crosssection.

The bottom also may be oval, however. In that case, the carpet samples will become rolled up to form a cylinder having a corresponding cross-section. The latter construction or embodiment may be advantageous, for example, when a great many carpet samples are intended to be arranged side-by-side.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each holder has at the edge thereof two diametrically opposite ear-shaped carrying members which project from the edge approximately at the height of the bottom thereof. On these carrying or supporting members the holders may be suspended.

When it is intended to connect adjacent holders with each other in a simple manner, the carrying or supporting members of one holder are advantageously arranged offset, with respect to the plane of the bottom thereof in each case at opposite sides of this plane by about halfthe material thickness thereof measured at a right angle to the plane, and one of the carrying or supporting members is provided with a lug portion while the other carrying or supporting member is provided with a recess into which the lug portion fits, and both the lug portion and the recess alike extend at a right angle to the plane of the bottom. In the case of this particular construction, the individual holders may be connected with each other in an articulated manner. Each carrying or supporting member is advantageously provided with a guiding projection for a rodshaped carrier which projects from it essentially at a right angle to the plane of the bottom, preferably a cylindrical tube, by means of which carrier the holders are carried or supported. By virtue of this configuration or provision it is possible to build or make up of holders and carriers, for example cylindrical tubes, a complete framework for displaying carpet samples. The various individual parts for such a frame or framework can be easily shipped because of the limited size thereof. The construction or make-up of the framework is extremely simple since the individual parts need only be put together. From the individual parts, i.e., the holders and the carriers, a framework of any desired size may be composed or constructed. Because of the articulated connection between the various holders, the framework may be constructed around projections and corners. The framework also, however, may be built around columns disposed within a display room. Nor is a special foundation required for a framework of this type since the lowermost holders will simply serve as bases.

A frame similar to the one described hereinabove also may be made up, or constructed, if -in the case of the holders which extend almost tangentially to the wall thereof and reach the bottom while comprising a slot allowing for the insertion of a carpet sample there is disposed, in the center of the bottom thereof, at least on one side, a guide element for a rod-shaped carrier, projecting vertically from the floor. If the stability of such a frame or framework should not be sufficient, it is possible to provide at the holders additional devices or means with the aid of which they may be fastened, for example, to a wall.

The holders expediently may consist of plastic and can be made, for example, according to the injection molding process.

In order to obtain as high a stability as possible from a frame or framework made up or constructed of holders and carriers, the holders may be rigidly cemented to the carrier at the carrying or supporting members.

The present invention will be further described hereinafter on the basis of several embodiments thereof, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 illustrates a frame of plate-shaped holders and tubes, such as is proposed by the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top plan view of a plate-shaped holder, such as is proposed by the present invention, as it is used for the frame according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken along line III- -III at point A in FIG. 1, and the position of the crosssectional line is apparent from FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the carrying or supporting member of a plate-shaped holder according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a plate-shaped holder according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a holder according to the present invention, and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the holder shown in FIG. 6.

The frame or framework shown in FIG. 1 comprises a holder 1, carrying or supporting tubes 2, and various tubular spacer means 3. Each holder 1 has a planar bottom 4 which, at the edge thereof, is enclosed or surrounded by a wall 5 and provided integral therewith. The bottom 4 is circular, and the wall 5 forms a cylinder. The bottom 4 is disposed closer to one end face of the cylinder constituted or formed by the wall 5. Disposed approximately at the level of the bottom and diametrically opposite at the outside of the wall 5, and integral therewith, are carrying or supporting

members

6 and 7. These ear-shaped carrying or supporting

members

6 and 7 whose configuration is apparent from FIG. 2, are mounted in each case at a different height of the cylinder formed by the wall 5. It is thus possible to dispose adjacent holders 1 in overlapping carrying or supporting members 6 and/or 7 at the same height or level, and side-by-side.

The holders 1 are carried or supported by the carrying or supporting tubes 2 and kept at a distance with respect to each other. In order to achieve a uniform picture, and in order to enhance the stability of the frame, tubular separator or distance members or pieces are disposed at those points or places of the supporting or carrying members where no carrying or supporting tubes 2 are necessary, such as approximately below the carrying members at the far left and/or at the far right in FIG. 1

The carrying or supporting tubes 2 may be chosen to be of a uniform length, if the gaps that will then arise in each case at the outer framework portions are compensated for by separator members 3 having a suitable length.

Illustrated at 12 in phantom in FIG. 1 is a rolled-up carpet sample which is disposed within the framework and held by two holders 1 at the end faces 14 thereof. For the purpose of removing this carpet sample 12 from the frame or framework, it is necessary to lift it up until it abuts at the upper end face 14 against the bottom 4 of its upper holder 1. At that time it is necessary that the lower end face of the carpet roll which thus has becomeliftedabove the wall 5 of the lower holder 1 be pivoted from out of the holder 1 thereof and then be pivoted off. Thereafter the sample will 'be free.

FIG. 3 shows in detail the connection of two holders 1 with each other and with the carrying or supporting tubes 2. The holder 1 with the carrying or supporting member 7 includes on the upper side of the carrying or supporting member a lug portion or stud 8 which fits into a corresponding recess 9 of the holder 1 with the carrying member 6. Since the carrying or supporting membersviewed in a top plan view are provided round, an articulatedor hinged connection is rendered possible between two holders by virtue of the provision of the lug portion or stud and the recess in the carrying or supporting members. From the carrying member 7, there projects downwardly a cylindrical tube-like projection 10. This projection or extension constitutes a guide for a carrying or supporting tube 2. In a similar manner there projects from the carryingor supporting member 6 upwardly a cylindrical tube-like projection or extension 11., which again will form or constitute a guide-for a carrying or supporting tube2. In order to achieve a particularly high stability of a framework constituted of holders 1, carrying or supporting tubes 2, and separator or distance tube pieces 3, these elements may be cemented to each other at the connecting or junction points thereof.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a detailed portion of a carrying or supporting member 7 with the lug portion or stud 8 and the guide projection or extension 10. In order to achieve an increased stability when cementing the holder 1 to a supporting or carrying tube 2, the wall 5 is so provided and arranged within the area or zone of the carrying or supporting member 7 that it will come to intimately rest against the carrying or supporting tube 2 over a greater circumference of the carrying or supporting tube 2 over the height of the wall 5 In the afore-described construction, the frame may be very easily composed, or put together, by means of holders 1, carrying or supporting tubes 2, and distance or separator pieces or elements 3, such as is quite obvious from the drawing, and it is also possible in this connection to test the most favorable erection of the framework, and the best possible adaptation to any possibly existing unevenness of a wall by virtue of the articulated or hinged connection of the holders with one another. Once the ultimate form of the frame has been determined, the individual parts thereof may be cemented to each other, after which a rigid frame or 5 framework is obtained.

The holders I, the carrying or supporting tubes 2, and the separator or distance pieces or elements 3 are preferably made from plastic material.

If it is intended to impart a greater stability to such a frame or framework consisting of this type of holders 1, carrying or supporting tubes 2 and, if necessary or desired, distance or separator pieces or elements 3, metallic rods or tubes may be provided for this purpose. For this purpose, the lug portions or studs 8 of the carrying or supporting members 7 and the carrying or supporting members 7 themselves must be provided with a .bore which is approximately concentric to the axis of the lug portion or stud 8. The lug portion or stud 8 as well as the recess 9 will, for this purpose, be provided with a correspondingly larger diameter. When this is so, a metallic rod or a metallic tube may be slid or inserted through the aligning carrying or supporting members 6 and 7-of holders 1 and the coordinated aligning carrying or supporting tubes 2, and if desired, the distance or separator pieces or elements 3. By means of clamping means or devices at the ends of these metallic rods or of this metallic tube it is possible to securely clamp together the carrying or supporting

members

6 and 7, the supporting or carrying tubes 2, being disposed therebetween, and, if desired, distance or separator pieces or elements 3. I In the case of a framework with several metallic rods or metallic tubes, the latter may be again connected with each other at the ends thereof by means of metallic bands, whereby the framework is given an even greater stability or rigidity.

In the embodiment of a holder 1 as shown in FIG. 5, the bottom 4 is enclosed with a wall 5 over only a part of the circumference thereof. In this manner it is possible to insert a carpet sample, being tightly rolled up, easily through the thus produced recess between two holders 1. When the carpet sample is then released, it

will come to rest against the still existing portion of the 7 wall 5 and will be held firmly and securely between the two holders.

The holder according to FIG. 5, of course, also may be provided with carrying or supporting

members

6 and 7.

In the case of the embodiment of a holder 1 shown in FIG. 6, a slot is disposed in the wall 5 of this holder which extends in each case to the bottom 4 of the holder and nearly tangentially with respect to the circumference of the wall 5. It is possible to insert a carpet sample through the slot 15, and the latter will automatically become rolled up within the holder during the process or operation of being inserted.

It is apparent from FIG. 7 how the holder shown in FIG. 6 may be connected with carrying or supporting holders 2. Approximately in the center of the bottom 4 of the holder 1, one guiding stud or lug portion 16 each will project in each case upwardly and downwardly. A carrying or supporting tube 2 may be slid upon or inserted on this guiding stud.

In this provision and arrangement, carrying or supporting tubes that are disposed in the center of the holders 1 will not be disturbing since the carpet sample is not introduced or inserted into the holders in the already rolled-up condition thereof, but is instead rolled up only in the course of the insertion thereof through the slot while moving around the carrying or supporting tubes 2.

Also in connection with the embodiments shown in H08. 6 and 7 it is possible to utilize again the aforedescribed metallic rods or tubes or metallic bands for the purpose of reinforcing a framework of holders 1 and carrying or supporting tubes 2. It is necessary, for this purpose, of course, that the guiding studs or lug portions 16 be provided with a bore that is essentially concentric to the axis thereof.

it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

What is claimed is:

l. A structure for displaying carpet samples in rollform; comprising, a pair of holders, each of said holders including a generally flat base portion, holding means attached to said base portion at the circumference of said base portion, extending perpendicular thereto and surrounding one end of a carpet sample in roll form and a pair of ear-like mounting members attached to diametrically opposite sides of said holder and extending therefrom parallel to said base portion; and elongated, rod-shaped supports attached to said ear-like mounting members to space said base portions of said pair of holders apart a distance at least equal to the length of a carpet sample in roll-form.

2. A structure according to claim 1 wherein a pair of holding means are attached to the base portion of the holders and extend perpendicularly from each side of said base portion, respectively.

3. A structure according to claim 1 wherein an opening is formed in the holding means perpendicular to the base portion of the holders and having a width sufficient to receive a carpet sample in tightly rolled form, whereby a carpet sample may be inserted into said holding means in tightly rolled form and then released to generally conform to the interior shape of said holding means.

4. A structure according to claim 1 wherein the holders are formed of plastic.

5. A structure according to claim 4 wherein the holders are formed by injection molding.

6. A structure according to claim 4 wherein the earlike mounting members are cemented to the rodshaped supports.

7. A structure according to claim 1 wherein guide projections are mounted on the ear-like mounting members substantially perpendicular to the base portion of the holder and attach the supports to said earlike mounting members.

8. A structure according to claim 7 wherein the supports are tubular and the guide projections fit in the ends of said supports.

9. A structure according to claim 8 wherein the guide projections are also tubular.

10. A structure according to claim 1 wherein at least two pairs of holders are mounted in side by side relationship and the ear-like mounting members include mounting means to attach the ear-like mounting members ofone pair of said holders to the ear-like mounting members of another pair of said holders.

11. A structure according to claim 10 wherein the mounting means are pivotal mounting means to permit pivoting of one pair of holders with respect to another pair of said holders on an axis perpendicular to the base portions of said holders.

12. A structure according to claim 10 wherein the ear-like mounting members of the pair of holders mounted in side by side relationship are offset from one another in a direction perpendicular to the base portions of said holders a distance equal to about one-half the thickness of the base portions of said holders, whereby said ear-like projections of said pairs of holders are in overlapping contact with one another while said pairs of holders are in the same plane.

13. A structure according to claim 12 wherein the mounting means includes a projection, substantially perpendicular to the base portions of the holders, formed on the ear-like mounting members of one of the pairs of holders and a recess, substantially perpendicular to said base portions of said holders, formed in the ear-like mounting members of the other of said pairs of holders into which said projections fit.

14. A structure according to claim 1 wherein the base portions of the pair of holders are spaced apart a distance greater than the length of a carpet sample in rollform, whereby a carpet sample in roll-form may be insexted in the holding means of one of said pair of bolders a distance sufficient for the opposite end of said carpet sample in roll-form to clear the top of the holding means of the other of said pair of holders and said opposite end of a carpet sample in roll-form may then be inserted in said holding means of said other of said pair of holders.

15. A structure according to claim 14 wherein the holding means of one of the pair of holders is greater in height than the holding means of the other of said pair of holders, whereby a carpet sample in roll-form may be inserted in the higher of said holding means first and thereafter in the lower of said holding means.

Claims

1. A structure for displaying carpet samples in roll-form; comprising, a pair of holders, each of said holders including a generally flat base portion, holding means attached to said base portion at the circumference of said base portion, extending perpendicular thereto and surrounding one end of a carpet sample in roll form and a pair of ear-like mounting members attached to diametrically opposite sides of said holder and extending therefrom parallel to said base portion; and elongated, rodshaped supports attached to said ear-like mounting members to space said base portions of said pair of holders apart a distance at least equal to the length of a carpet sample in roll-form.

4. A structure according to claim 1 wherein the holders are formed of plastic.

6. A structure according to claim 4 wherein the ear-like mounting members are cemenTed to the rod-shaped supports.

7. A structure according to claim 1 wherein guide projections are mounted on the ear-like mounting members substantially perpendicular to the base portion of the holder and attach the supports to said ear-like mounting members.

10. A structure according to claim 1 wherein at least two pairs of holders are mounted in side by side relationship and the ear-like mounting members include mounting means to attach the ear-like mounting members of one pair of said holders to the ear-like mounting members of another pair of said holders.

14. A structure according to claim 1 wherein the base portions of the pair of holders are spaced apart a distance greater than the length of a carpet sample in roll-form, whereby a carpet sample in roll-form may be inserted in the holding means of one of said pair of holders a distance sufficient for the opposite end of said carpet sample in roll-form to clear the top of the holding means of the other of said pair of holders and said opposite end of a carpet sample in roll-form may then be inserted in said holding means of said other of said pair of holders.