COLLAPSING CLOTHING DISPLAY FIXTURE
The subject invention comprises a collapsible display fixture that includes a base, two vertical support posts that can accept vertical display panels, a horizontal crossbar and hinge that connects each vertical support post to the base. The hinge may be one of two forms, either a hinge with an axis of rotation at an angle of 2-6 degrees, or preferably 3 degrees, or a hinge with a rotatable base that allows the hinge to be rotated 2-6 degrees, or preferably 3 degrees. These hinges allow the vertical support posts to be folded down without intersecting or contacting one another. The vertical display panels integrate an internal pin system, whether the panel is solid or a combination of two laminated layers, such that the pins are accessible from the outside to accept hangers, pins, pegs, hooks or other display accessories.
The Invention pertains to a collapsible display fixture for use in retail sales. More particularly, the invention pertains to a collapsing retail display fixture that allows the display to be folded down to reduce shipping and storage size, and allows for the attachment of shelves, hooks, pegs and other display accessories while retaining a high degree of stability and support.
Known display racks generally provide little or no collapsing capabilities, or do so using complicated, multi-part or multi-hinged mechanisms that are expensive, prone to failure or are difficult to use. Retail fixtures are often moved, stored, shipped and displayed in seasonal cycles. Furthermore, some retail contexts require such displays to be erected and removed on short notice, such as “pop-up” stores, or temporary locations. It is therefore desirable to have a fixture that is easily and quickly folded and stored, but retains stability and the ability to accept accessories common to standard, non-collapsing fixtures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONRetail fixtures comprise large, bulky metal racks meant to support sale items and accept modular shelving, pegs, hooks and other display accessories. They are used in retail stores for the display of articles and accessories. Such retail stores are often being opened and closed, and even while in operation, regularly re-arrange the layout of the stores due to seasonal marketing cycles. However, storage and shipment of these large, bulky display fixtures costs retailers significant money, and can be prohibitive if they cannot be efficiently stored.
The simplest way to collapse such a fixture is to fold down any vertical components. However, because these fixtures are symmetrical, any vertical components are prone to collide when folded.
Existing display fixtures avoid this problem using complicated telescoping mechanisms, a multitude of hinges placed in the middle of various support members, or which come apart entirely. These solutions are not ideal because they either decrease the stability of the assembled fixture or result in loose pieces which are easily lost.
Accordingly, there is a need for a retail display fixture that can be easily moved and stored, while retaining the ability to accept accessory display attachments such as shelves, hooks, pegs and other similar methods of displaying merchandise.
Thus, a benefit of the subject invention is a collapsing retail fixture that allows the fixture to be quickly and easily collapsed for more efficient storage than a non-collapsing fixture.
A further benefit of the subject invention is a hinge for such collapsing retail fixtures that allows the vertical support members to fold down such that they do not collide with one another. This allows the fixture to collapse more efficiently and retain the integrity of the support racks by avoiding the addition of hinges or clasps or telescoping elements to the supports which can impact the stability of the supports.
A still further benefit of the subject invention is a vertical structure for the ends of the fixture containing an integrated peg system, allowing for the attachment of shelves, peg hooks and other retail display accessories.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe subject invention comprises a collapsible retail display fixture that includes vertical support posts attached to the base using angled hinges or rotating hinges such that the support posts may be folded down without intersecting or contacting one another. These vertical support posts support a horizontal cross bar and vertical display panels using an integrated peg system used to attach shelves, hooks, pegs and other display accessories. The fixture also includes a horizontal crossbar for hanging clothes and other retail items.
These and other benefits, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and accompanying figures illustrating the preferred embodiment of the subject invention.
Referring to
When the vertical support posts 10 are in the vertical position, see
When the vertical support posts 10 are in the lowered position, see
The crossbar 20 in
Referring to
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, shown in
These engagement holes 86 are positioned such that if the retractable spring plunger 83 is placed into the first engagement hole 86, the vertical support post 10 attached thereto would fold down directly towards the other and collide. When the vertical display posts 10 are in the vertical position, the invention would be used for displaying merchandise, and allows for the proper attachment of the crossbar 20. The hinge 80 may be rotated 4-6 degrees, and in a preferred embodiment, 5 degrees, when the retractable spring plunger 83 is lifted, such that the retractable spring plunger 83 may be deposited in the second engagement hole 86. In this position, the vertical display posts 10 may be rotated downwards so that they are parallel to one another and in a parallel plane above the plane of the base 30. They do not collide, however, because the rotation of said hinges 80 causes the folded vertical display posts 10 to also rotate the same amount. See
The vertical support posts 10 support the vertical display panels 50. The bottom edge of the vertical display panel 50 bears one or more anchor posts 54. These anchor posts 54 engage into corresponding holes in the fixture base 30 in order to anchor the bottom edge 55 of the vertical display panels 50 to the fixture base 30.
These vertical display panels have vertical bracket channels 51 that allow external access to the internal peg support system 60. These vertical support panels may be in one of at least two embodiments.
In the first embodiment shown in
In a second embodiment, the vertical display panels 50 may be a solid piece of material with a vertical channel 57 cut through the panel 50 allowing access to the integrated pin system 70. This integrated pin system consists of a vertical support bracket 71 and internal pins 72. The vertical support bracket consists of a long piece of metal with a square bend 73 in it that fits snugly within the vertical channel 57 in the vertical display panel 50. Within this square bend 73 are periodic pins 72 that are wholly contained within the square bend 73 and are positioned perpendicular to the path of the square bend 73 and parallel to the base 30.
The crossbar 20 consists of three components: the central segment 22 and two endcaps 21. See
The crossbar 20 may be assembled as part of the invention as follows. See
A first embodiment of the crossbar, including the central segment 22 and endcaps 21, has a substantially square cross-section. The central segment 22 and endcaps 21 may be engaged with the head 11 of the vertical support posts 10 in one of two modes. The first mode is in which a corner edge of the central segment 22 and endcaps 21 is facing upwards, while in the second mode, the entirety of the crossbar 10 is rotated 45 degrees such that a flat edge of the central segment 22 and endcaps 21 is facing upward.
A second embodiment of the crossbar, including the central segment 22 and endcaps 21, has a substantially round cross-section. Though this round cross-section differs from the first embodiment described above, no new head 11 for the vertical support posts 10, is required.
The vertical display panels 50 are attached to the vertical support posts 10 using a mounting bracket 90. See
The vertical display panel 50, bearing mounting bracket 90, is attached to the vertical display posts 10 by inserting the vertical display post 10 into the opening of the bracket 90. The opening 91 in the bracket 90 is then lowered onto the hanging peg 12 on the face of the vertical display post 10 that faces the opposing vertical display post 10. This allows the vertical display panel 50 to hang securely and substantially upright and substantially parallel to the vertical display post 10.
It will be understood that the forgoing description is of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention and that the invention is not limited to the specific forms shown or described herein. Various modifications may be made in the design, arrangement, and type of elements disclosed herein, as well as the steps of making and using the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A fixture comprising two vertical support posts, and two horizontal bases spaced a distance from each other, each vertical support post having a bottom end attached to one of the respective horizontal bases, and a top end for supporting a horizontal crossbar;
- said vertical support posts being each vertically pivotal to be movable from a first upright position to a second horizontal position substantially parallel to said horizontal base;
- said vertical support posts being horizontally pivotal to be movable from a first horizontal position to the second horizontal position;
- said vertical support posts bearing a vertical display panel when in the first upright position;
- the vertical display panel comprising a vertical panel with a vertical groove cut into it with a pin system attached to a back of said vertical display panel, the pin system having pins accessible from the front through the vertical groove;
- said vertical support posts being substantially perpendicular to the base to which they are attached when in said first upright position and substantially parallel and co-planar to the base to which they are attached when in said second horizontal position and a distal end of each of said vertical support posts extending beyond the bases.
2. A fixture comprising two vertical support posts each having a first top end for supporting a horizontal crossbar and a second bottom end pivotally attached to a base for horizontal rotation between 2 and 6 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the base and allowing the vertical support posts to vertically pivot down from a vertical position to a horizontal position without intersecting or making contact, the vertical support posts supporting laminated display panels with a vertical channel exposing an interior peg channel.
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the vertical display panel comprises a pair of substantially rectangular laminated layer-panels with a vertical channel exposing an interior peg system.
8. The fixture of claim 7 wherein the interior peg system has a first and second identical vertical connecting plate each pierced periodically by pegs extending equal distance to each side of the vertical connecting plates.
9. The fixture of claim 7 wherein said layer-panels have a vertical channel extending from near the top of the panel to near the bottom, containing first and second identical vertical connecting plate each pierced periodically by pegs extending equal distance to each side of the vertical connecting plates.
10. The fixture of claim 8 wherein each panel comprises a vertical substantially rectangular panel with a major groove cut into it substantially the length of the pane, with periodic minor groves cut perpendicularly to the major groove shaped to accept the pegs.
11. (canceled)
12. The fixture of claim 10 wherein the peg system comprises a vertical support bracket with a square bend down its axis containing pins affixed to the interior of said bend and oriented substantially perpendicular to the length of said support member.
13. The fixture of claim 10 wherein the vertical display panel comprises a vertical, substantially rectangular panel with a major groove cut into it substantially the length of the panel.
14. The fixture of claim 10 wherein the bottom edge of the vertical display panel contains one or more retention pegs extending from the bottom of the panel and which engage complementary holes in the fixture base in order to secure said panels.
15-18. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 11, 2014
Publication Date: Jun 16, 2016
Inventors: Graham Robert Wood (Callawassie Island - Okatie, SC), Brett A. Woodley (Wilmette, IL), Erich Haller (Buffalo Grove, IL)
Application Number: 14/567,670