Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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STOCK WING MERCHANDISE DISPLAY
DESCRIP'PION "
Cross-Refererice to Related Applica.tions
j00011 The present appliCation is being filed concurrently with U.S. Desigct
Patent Application
No. 29J296,664 (Attorney Docket No.: 53067-3030).
Federally Sponsored Research or Development
[00021. Not Applicable.
Technical Field
.[00031 The invention.generally relates to a merchandise display system, and
inote particularly, to
a stock wing merchandise display'system having a molded shelf support unit for
supporting a
plurality ofinerchandise holding shelves or a.peg board, and information
panels'for displaying
.-advertisements or other relevant data.
.
Background of the Invention
100041 There*are numerous systems for displaying merchandise. Some systems,
e.g. display
shelves, can be purely functional with no special features for attracting
customers or providing any
inforMation or advertising to prospective customers.
(00051 An effort is made to create systems which are both functional and
decorative -.both to
attract customer attention to the products displayed and differentiate the
systems from more mundane
displays. Additionally, it can be of further value to develop displays which
can provide informatiorr
or advertising.
10006] The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed above
and other
problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior
displays. A fuil discussion of
thefeatures and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the
following detailed description,
which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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Summarv of the Invention
.[00071 . The present invention provides a stock wing merchandise display
system. The display
systetn incorporates unique styling, including undulating or curvilinear side
walls, and graphic
display panels =to provide.additional information or adveitising.and further
attract customers to the
goods or products displayed. .
[OOUSj In accordance with orie embodiment of the invention, a display system
for stocking and
displaying goods is provided. The display system includes a shelf holder
having a back wall
defuung a plane, a first side wall extending outwardly along a'fust side of
the back wall, and a
second side. wall extending outwardly from a second side of the back wall. A
first graphic panel
extends along: a top.portion of the shelf holder and is disposed outwardly
from the plane of the back
wall. A second graphic panel is positioned below the ftrst graphic panel and
is also-disposed
outwardly from the plane of the back wall. The display further includes a
plurality of shelves'
connectedao the shelf holder. .
[0009] Each of the plurality of shelves can comprise. a bottom wall, a first
side wall extending
upwardly from a.first side of the bottom wall, a second sidewall extending
upwardly from a second
side of the bo.ttoin.wall, a first end wall extending upwardly from a first
end of the bottom wall and a
second end wall extending upwardly from a second.end of the-bottom wall:
[00101 The shelves can be formed from a clear or translucent material.
Alteniatively; the shelves
can be opaclue: The shelves can all'be of one color, or in a plurality of
colors,.or include patterns or ' =
other graphics. [00111 . One of the plurality of shelves can be configured to.
have a first width from the frst end to
the second end of the shelf, while the remaining plurality of shelves-have
a.second width from the
first end to the second end of the shelves, where the first vs~idth is less
than the second width, This is
.to accommodate or provide room for. the second graphic panel which is aligned
with the one shelf.
[0012]. The first and second side walls can be configured to have an
undulating front or outer
edge (especially as viewed from the side of the system). This provides a
distinctive or unique style
for the display'system to draw a customer's attention to the goods stocked on
the shelves and to
advertisements or other graphics displayed in the graphic display panels
.[0013] The display system further comprises a bottom wall extending along a
bottom edge of the
back wall. The plurality of shelves can extend outward from the back wall a
distance greater than an
outer edge of the bottom wall.
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[0014] Additionally, the shelf holder has a plurality of openings or apertures
for mounting the
plurality of shelves. The plurality of operiings allows for mounting he
plurality of shelves at
multiple positions. Other conventional means can be utilized to co ect the
shelves to the shelf
holder. Additionally, shelves could be integrally formed into the t. In this
instance, it may be
easier to form the shelves without a front wall.
.100151 In accordance with another embodiment of the invention~ a merchandise
display system
comprises a molded plastic shelf holder unit having a generally planar back
wall portion defining a
shelving area. A lower wall extending from a bottom of the- back w 11 portion
defines a lower end to
the -shelving area, and an upper wall. extending from.a top of the ba wall
portion defines an upper ~
end to the shelving area. A first side wall extends along a first side f the
shelving area and.has a=
front edge having a fiirst portion extending a first distance from the ack
wall portion and a second
portion extending a second distance from the back wall portion.whe ein the
firstdistance is greater.
than the second distance. A.first.graphic panel is positioned prox' te the
first side wall having a
first portion extending the first distance from the back wall portion d a
second portion extending
the second distance from the back wall portion. ~
[0016J The merchandise display system further comprises a plu lality of
shelves connected to the
shelf holder in the sl~elving area. The-shelves may be integrally corected ot
formed
with the shelf
holdei, or connectable.to the shelf holder. I
[00171 Each'of the plurality of shelves is fon=ned into a tray ha g
opposing.first and second.
ends- and opposing first and second sides, the ends and sides extendi g from a
bottom wall. The
plurality of shelves can be formed from a translucent material.
[001$1 The frontedge of the first side wall can be formed to ha e an
undulating configuration.
Additionally, the first graphic panel can be formed to match at least Ia
portion of the undulating
configuration.
:10019J Similar to the first side wall, the display system can incl de a
second side wall extending
along a second side of the shelving area and having a front edge wi a first
portion extending a first
-distance from the back wall portion and a second portion extending second
distance from the back
wall portion wherein the first distance is greater than the second dis ce. The
second side wall cain
have an undulating configuration matching the undulating configura 'on of the
front edge of the first
side. wall.
100201 In accordance with yet another embodiment of the inven 'on a
merchandise display
system for providing shelving space and advertising space comprise a molded
plastic shelf unit
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configured to support a plurality of shelves in a shelving area. A plurality
of shelves are connected
to the molded plastic shelf unit in the shelving area of the unit. A first
graphic panel is fonned in the
molded plastic shelf unit positioned above the shelving area and; a second
graphic panel is formed in'
the molded plastic shelf unit proximate an end of a top one of the plurality
of shelves. The second
graphic panel is configured to have. an indented.region to allow placement of
a product on a shelf
.'below the top one of the plurality of shelves
[0021] - In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the invention, a
display system is
provided that includes a pegboard connected to the back wall of the system.
The display system
comprises a display unit having a back wall,.a:#irst side wall extending
outward.from the back wall
and a second side wall extending outward from the back wall. The display unit
also includes a first
graphic panel extending along a top portion of the display unit and disposed
outward from the back .
wall. A pegboard having a*plurality of,apertures is connected to the display
unit. The pegboard is
preferably configured to rnatch the shape and size of the back wall of the
display unit.
[00221 The display system further coniprises a plurality of conical posts
connected to the back
wall of the display unit and to the pegboard: The posts are used to connect
and support the pegboard
on the display unit, and create a space between the back wall and the pegboard
The space allows
hooks, rods and/or other structures to be inseited-through the apertures in
the pegboard to secure the
structures to the pegboard. Such structures could be incorporated in the goods
or other iteins to be
displayed on the display system, or could be used to support such goods or
other items. - For
example, a plurality of bagged goods having a top eyelet can be supported by a
rod secured to and
extending from the pegboard..
.[0023) Each of the plurality of posts'includes a front opening and an
internal thread
configuration. The internal thread is designed to cooperitte with thieads of a
screw. ' The screw can
be inserted thiough one of the apertures in the pegboard to secure :the
pegboard.to post. Similarly,
the post can have a back opening with an internal thread configuration to
secure the post to the back
wall of the display unit through an aperture or hold in the back wall. Other
means, such as an epoxy,
can also be used to connect the posts to either the back wall or the pegboard.
[0024] The display system can also include a second graphic panel formed in
the display unit.
The second graphic panel can be positioned proximate the first side wall and
extend downward from
the first graphic panel.
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100251 Similar to display system having shelves, each of the first and second
side walls of the
display system of the present embodiment can have an undulating front edge.
The first and second
graphic panels are preferably configured:to match the front edge of the side
walls.
[0026] In accordance.with another embodiment of the invention, 'the display
unit can be
corifigured to include both a pegboard and one or more shelves.
[0027] The displays described herein can be configured to be mountable to
other systems. For
example the display systems can be mounted to a wire frame unit
[0028] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from
the following
specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
Brief Deseription of.the Drawings and Attachments .
(0029] To understand-the'present. invention, it will riow be described by way
of example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which: (0030] FIG: 1 is a
perspective view of an embodiment of the display system of the present
Anvention;
:[00311 FIG..2 is a front plan view of the display system of FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG 3 is backplan view the display system of FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a first-side.plan view of the display system of FIG. 1;
{0034] FIG: 5 is a second side plan view of the display system of FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the display, system of FIG..1;
100361. FIG. 7 is a bottom-plan view of the display system of FIG. 1;
J00371 . FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the back of the display system of
FIG. 1 without a back
panel;
[0038] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative display system having a
pegboard in
accordance with the present invention; and,
(0039] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the altemative display system of FIG. 9.
Detailed Description
10040] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different
forms, there is
shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred
embodiunents of the invention
with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the
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principles. of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of
the*invention to the
embodiments illustrated.
[00411 -Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a stock w'ing display system 10 in
accordance with the
piesent invention is provided. The stock wing display system t0 includes a
molded plastic shelf unit'
or shelf holder 12. The shelf unit 12 includes a shelving-area 14 having an
upper portion narrower
than the lower portion as explained below. . .
{0042] The shelving area 14 supports a plurality of shelves 16 for holding
goods or products for
display or sale at a store. The shelves 16 are formed into trays, with each
tray having a front side '
wall 18 and opposing back side wall 20. The side walls .18, 20 ex.tend
between' a first end wall 22
and an opposing second end wall 24. Th,e side walls '18, 20 and end walls 22;
24 of the shelves 16
extend upward from a flat bottom wall 25.
[0043] The shelves can.be forrned from a cleai or translucent plastic or other
similar material, or
can be opaque. A,dditionally,. the shelves may include advertising or some
other information, indicia
or graphics. [0044.] The shelf unit 12 includes a first side wall 26 and an
opposing second side, wa1128. The
shelf unit 12 also includes a bottom wall 30 and a top wal132. Figures 6-and 7
provide atop plan
view and tiottom.plan view of the shelf unit 12, respectively.
[0045]. The. shelving unit 12 is formed to include a first graphic pane134
positioned above the
shelving area 14. The shelving unit 12 also includes a second grapliic pane136
positioned proximate
the second side 28 and extending downward froin the first graphic panel.
[0046] The graphic panels: 34, 36 can be used to display advertising or
infonnation relating to the
goods or-products supported by the plurality of shelves 16. `Alternatively;
one. or both panels can*be
used to display advertising or information for another product, such as one
that is related to or goes
with thegoods supported by the shelves. This allows for cross-selling other
products and provides
another avenue for increasing revenue.
.[0047] Figure 3 provides a plan view of the back of the shelf unit 12. - As
illustrated in Figure 3,
the shelf unit 12 also includes a back panel 37 which can be connected to the
shelf unit 12. The back
panel 37 can include slots or apertures 39 for connecting the display system
10 to a wall or other
structure, such as a wire frame. Altematively, the back panel may be provided
with other
conventional means for mounting the system 10.
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[0048] Referring to Figures 2 and 8, the graphic panels 34, 36 are molded
directly into the shelf
unit 12. hi this regard, Figure 8 provides a view of the graphic panels from
the perspective of the
back of the unit 12 without the back panel 37 in place.
[0049] As evident from. these. Figures, the first graphic panel 34 extends
fromthe top wall 32 of
the shelf unit 12 to a first lower wall 38. The first graphic panel also
extends substantially from the
fust side 26 of the display unit 12 to the second side 28.
[0050] The second graphic panel 36 extends downward from a portion of the
first graphic panel
proximate the second side wal128 to a second lower wall 40: The second graphic
panel 36 also
extends. from the second side wall 28 to an interior wall 42.
[0051] In combination, the first lower wall 38, second lower wall 40 and inner
wall 42 of the
graphic panels 34, 36form an upper boundary of the shelving area-14. Because
the second graphic
pane136 extends inward from the second side wal128, the upper portion of the.
shelving area 14 is
narrower than the lower portion. To accommodate the narrower area between the
first side wall 26
and the inner wall 42,.the topmost one of the.plurality of shelves 16 is
formed to.have side walls
which 18, 20 which extend from the first end 22:to the second end 24 a
distance less than the side
walls 18; 20 of the remaining shelves. - While only one shelf 16 has the
reduced side walls 18, 20 in
the embodiment shown, additional shelves can be fornied to fit in the upper
area.
[0052] Figure 8. also sltows a back wal145 of the shelving area 14: The back
wall 45 includes
apertures which may be used for use in connecting or supporting the shelves
16. -Alternatively, .
apertures 49 along the side walls or iriner wa1142 are:utilized. The back wall
45 also defines a plane
from which the side walls 26, 28, bottom and top walls 30, 32, and graphic
panels 34,36 extend
forward from.
[0053] The side walls 26, 28 of the shelf unit 12 are stylishly configured to
draw attention to the
displayed goods 44 supported by the shelves 16, and. to the graphic panels 34,
36. In this regard, the
profiles of the side walls 26 and 28, illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, show
each side wal126, 28 having
an undulating or curvilinear front edge 46, 48.
[oo54J When viewing the side walls 26, 28 from the side of the display system
10, the side walls
26, 28 each have at least one portion 50 which extends a first distance from
the back 52, 54 of the
side wall 26, 28 to the front edge 46, 48, which is greater than the distance
a second portion 56 of the
-side wall 26, 28 which extends from the back 52, 54 of the side wall 26,28 to
the front edge 46, 48.
This is a result of the undulating or curvilinear front edge 46, 48 Of the
side walls 26, 28.
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[0055] One effect of tlie undulatang edge 46; 48 and the portions 50, 56 is
that some ilielves 16
are more exposed from a side view of the shelf unit.12 than other shelves.
Again, this adds to the
visual:appeal or attractiveness of the display system 10.
[0056] The graphic panels 34, 36-are flush with.the front of the shelf unit
12. in: this regard, the
graphic. panels 34, 36 match the undulating front edge 46, 48 of the side
walls 26; 28. Again, this
also adds to the visual appeal of the display system.
'[0057] Referring back to Figure 8, at least a portion of each side wall 26,
28 can be formed to
have a double wall, with an inner portion 60, 62 spaced close to the outer
side wa1126, 28. The
apertures 49 will thereforenot be visible, to an observer looking at the outer
side wall areas 26, 28.
Again this also adds to the'visual appeal of the display system 10 and -gives
the systeni'10 a more
refined look
[0058] While four shelves 16 and two graphic panels 34, 36 are shown in. the.
embodiment
illustrated in Figures 1-8, more or fewer shelves 16 and/or graphic panels 32,
34 can be utilized
without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Moreover, the
number of shelves 16 in the
apper, narrower portion- of the display system 10, and%or in the [owei broader
portion can be. altered
as necessary to accommodate the size or dimensions of the system 10.
Similarly, the dimensions of
: the shelves 16 can also be altered to increase or decrease the number of
shelves 16 the display system
can accommodate and/or'the size of the goods or products being supported by
the display system
.10.
[0059] . Referring to.Figures 9 and 10, an alternative embodiment of a display
system 70 is
shown: The-display system 70 includes a molded plastic display unit 72 that is
similar to the shelf
unit 12 ofFiguies 1-8. However; rather than supporting a. plurality of shelves
16, the display unit 72
is'configured to support,a pegboard 74: Goods and other items can be displayed
via the pegboard 74
by various known means. .
40060] The pegboard 74 is configured to conform to the size and shape of the
back wal176 of the
display unit 72. Accordingly, the pegboard 74 has a generally rectangular
shape with a portion in the
upper right hand coxner cut away to accommodate a second graphic panel 78
(corresponding to the
second graphic pane136 of the embodiment ofFigiures 1-8), that extends
downward from a first or
top graphic pane180.
[0061] The pegboard 74 can be a standard perforated wood panel cut to fit the
intemal shape of
the display unit 12 and match the back wall 76. Alteinatively, plastic or
other materi als can be used
to create the pegboard panel. The panel can be painted, stained or otherwise
decorated as desired.
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The pegboard 74 is provided with a plurality of holes or apertures 82 cut in
straight rows and '
columns. The holes 82 are utilized to with'hooks and/or other structures.to
enable goods and other
items to be. displayed on the display unit 72.
[00621 In order to accommodate or provide room for portions of the hooks
and/or 'other structure
used to secure the goods or other items to the pegboard 74, the display
system.70.is configured to
provide a space between the back of the pegboard 74 and the back wall 76 of
the display unit 12.
Referring to the exploded view of Figure 10, to create the space between the
back wal176 and the
pegboard 74, the display system 70 is pr.ovided with -a plurality of stand off
posts 84. The stand off
posts 84 are used to connect the pegboard 74 to the. display unit 72 and
maintain a separation of the
pegboard 74 from the back-wal176 of the display unit 72.
[0063] The posts 84 can each include a. threaded nut-insert or structure 86in
a forward'facing
portion of the post 84. - This allows for attaching the pegboard 74 to the
post 84 using screws inserted
in appropriate.holes 82 in the pegboard 74. Similarly, the posts 84 can
inelude an interrial threaded
stracture in the back1acing portion of the post 84 to connect the post:84 to
the display.unit 72 using
:screws inserted through holes 88 in the back wall 76 of the display unit 72.
100641 Alternaiavely, the posts 84 can be connected to the back wa1176 of the
display unit 72
and/or the pegboard 74 by other means. These can include, for example, epoxy
(i.e., a glue or other
adhesive) ora foam tape,or sonic or heat welding. Additionally, the-posts.84
can also be integrally
formed with or xnolded. directly into the display urut 72.
[0065] According to one embodimeiit of the invention, the shelf unit 12 of
Figures 1-8 can be
converted into a display unit 72. This is simply accomplished by removing the
shelves 16 and
attaching a pegboard 74 to the back panel 37 with a plurality of posts 84.
[0066] The back wall 76 of the display unit 72 can also be configured to
include circular detents
90 for locating the posts 84 on the display unit 72. The detents can be molded
into the display unit
72 or otherwise attached to the display unit 72.
[00671 The pegboard 74 can be utilized with. metal or plastic rods, hooks
and/or other support
structures for holding a plurality of goods or other items. Such components
are typically provided.
with feet or other'similar configurations to anchor the support-stcuctures to
the pegboard-74 of the.
display system 70 utilizing one or more of the holes 82 in the pegboard 74.
[0068] Similar to the embodiment of Figures 1-8, the display unit 72 is
provided with. side walls
92, 94 having an undulating front edge. The display unit 72 also includes the
first and second
graphic panels 78, 80 and may include additional graphic panels as required
for a particular use.
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Moreover, the size of the display unit can be modified as desired depending on
the number and/or
size of the goods or other items to be displayed.
100691 AIthough the embodiment of Figures 1-8 only shows the unit 12 with
shelves 16, and the
embodiment of Figures 9-10 orily shows the unit 72 with a pegboard 74, another
eriibodiment of the
invention can be.combine both shelves and a pegboardin a single system. For
example, one or more
shelves 16 can be placed in the system while loaving an area free for a
pegboard. Such a system
could be used to support goods in the shelves.and other items that can be
connected to the pegboard.
[0070] While -the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described,
numerous -
modifications come to-mind without significantly departing from the spirit of
the invention, and the
scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.
