DISPLAY STAND

Abstract

A display and storage stand for displaying and storing merchandise in a retail store location, including at least one stationary display shelf for merchandise to be displayed at an advantageous height for customer access, at least one slidably movable lower storage shelf underneath and immediately adjacent to the stationary display shelf for storing additional merchandise is located in a convenient location for a stock clerk to have ready access to replenish the merchandise sold from the display shelf and a positioning locking mechanism in the slidably movable lower storage shelf that locks said lower storage shelf in position to prevent a loaded lower storage shelf from tipping over the display and storage stand.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 62/271,427 filed on Dec. 28, 2015.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EFS WEB)

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to merchandise display stands, and more particularly, this invention relates to an easy to replenish display and storage stand for store merchandise displays.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Conventional means for displaying merchandise for sale have included stacking of merchandise boxes in stores and cutting the top off of the uppermost merchandise box in the stack to act as a display box. Alternatively, other means have included display trays for holding merchandise.

However, practitioners of that method have become aware of certain problems which are presented by those prior art methods. One particular problem that has plagued sellers has been that restocking of popular selling merchandise that sells quickly has been burdensome and unwieldy. In order to replenish the available merchandise, stock clerks have to travel to the stock room, load up with new merchandise, and then bring it back to the display area. Since there is usually no readily available storage for replenishing stock, this situation creates inefficiency and requires more hours per day traveling back and forth to the stock room.

It would be desirable to the merchandise distribution industry for a customized display and storage stand that will allow for easy restocking without any undue physical requirements by stock room clerks and salespeople. Safety concerns are also needing to be address, as many of the unopened merchandise boxes are quite heavy, some are so heavy that it creates physical requirements not capable by all workers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the above-noted desires of the industry, the present invention provides various aspects, including a display stand for storage and display of at least two boxes of merchandise for ease of restocking. Although the present invention includes the display, storage and easy capability of restocking of all merchandise included within its scope, it is most advantageous for heavy items such as bottles, cans and the like. Because it is well known that merchandise is most easily sold when the merchandise is more or less displayed at eye level, or at the very least at an easy to reach height, that merchandise sells quickly and needs to be replenished frequently. When the merchandise needs to be replenished, stock clerks would find an advantage if the merchandise to be replenished would be conveniently located at the site of display, rather than having to go back into the stockroom each time to bring the new merchandise back out onto the showroom floor. It would be aesthetically pleasing if the boxes of the new merchandise would be stored in an attractive storage area underneath the display shelf.

The present invention is especially helpful for heavy items, such as bottled liquids, cans of soup, dog food, carbonated drinks, and high density solid foods, such as candy. These items sell especially fast, and the display for this type of merchandise must be replenished on a nearly hourly basis, necessitating a lot of stock room visits. With the present invention having on-site storage, a single stock room trip can carry enough replenishing stock to last all day or longer.

In that regard, and realizing that any type of boxed merchandise, as discussed hereinabove, is within the scope of the invention, the present display stand will be described mostly in terms of the display and storage of wine boxes being displayed and stored, as they are especially heavy. Wine boxes are usually about 14 inches tall for a standard wine bottle, and they usually contain a case of wine with 12 bottles in each box. Trying to catch the eye of a customer, a most advantageous height for its display is from 28 inches high to about 48 inches high. Because a store keeper would not want to wait until the display box is entirely empty before opening the storage box immediately underneath, as this can curtail customer appeal and consequent sales, replenishing creates a problem. The problem is that now a stock clerk has a display box with diminishing numbers of wine bottles in the uppermost display box. To keep the display box looking nearly full, the store keeper will want to keep it replenished. The store keeper tells his stock clerk to lift up the display box, put it somewhere nearby so that the stock clerk can open the unopened box to take some bottles out to replenish the upper display box. Now there's a new problem. Now we have a partially full storage box that will be partially crushed by the weight of the now full display box, causing instability. This can cause the entire display to fall over, which clearly is undesirable. The present invention solves this problem by providing a rigid support of the display and storage stand. By partially emptying the storage box, the display box stays securely on top of the display stand, without any chance of tipping over.

These wine boxes in my display stand can most advantageously have one or more sliding shelves for replenishing stock with locking or securement devices to prevent tipping over of the display stand when a full tray of wine is pulled out, ready for restocking.

A first aspect of the present invention includes certain features including a multi-level display stand with the top level being an open display so that wine purchasers can readily access the bottles for purchase. Thereunder, there is at least one pull-out tray for storing at least one unopened box of wine bottles, which is readily accessible for easy restocking of the emptying open upper display box.

In practice, boxes of wine are stacked on one another to raise the display box to a desirable height for customer convenience. As the number of wine bottles from the display box are purchased, the supply of wine bottles in the open display box on the top level dwindles, and will need restocking. In the prior art methods, where the wine boxes are merely stacked one on top of the other, wine bottles from the lowest level may need to be accessed, causing the personnel of the wine shop to have to lift numerous boxes in order to access the lowest level for restocking.

In the present invention, a wine shop employee can roll out the tray holding the new wine bottles and stand next to the open tray and lift the bottles back up into the upper display box to replenish the display box.

Numerous aspects of this invention are envisioned by the present inventor, with numerous configurations of locking devices to hold the rolling tray in place to prevent accidents, and the like.

Although the invention will be described by way of examples hereinbelow for specific aspects having certain features, it must also be realized that minor modifications that do not require undo experimentation on the part of the practitioner are covered within the scope and breadth of this invention. Additional advantages and other novel features of the present invention will be set forth in the description that follows and in particular will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination or may be learned within the practice of the invention. Therefore, the invention is capable of many other different aspects and its details are capable of modifications of various aspects which will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art all without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the rest of the description will be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature and advantages of the expected scope and various aspects of the present invention, reference shall be made to the following detailed description, and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are given the same reference numerals, and wherein;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my display box made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevational view of a new aspect of my display box, made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a bottom-plan view of my display box made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of my display box showing where guide wheels and locking tabs are located;

FIG. 5A and 5B both show a side elevational view of two different aspects of my display box made in accordance with the present invention

FIG. 6 is a perspective elevational view of a single unit;

FIG. 7 is the single unit of FIG. 6 illustrating the sliding storage shelf in a slid out configuration;

FIG. 8 shows the sliding storage unit with the lock points for the locking mechanism;

FIG. 9 shows an elongated slide-out storage shelf;

FIG. 10 shows a multi-level display and storage stand;

FIG. 11 shows a multi-level display with a single slide-out elongated storage shelf;

FIG. 12 shows a quadruple display stand with three slide-out storage shelves;

FIG. 13 shows another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 14 shows yet another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 15 shows canned goods in the display and storage stand with a slide-out storage compartment;

FIG. 16A is a perspective elevational view of a storage compartment; and

FIG. 16 B is a close-up of toggle-type mechanism.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
UTILIZED IN THE DRAWINGS
10.  Display Stand
12.  Open Top
14.  Pull-out Tray
16.  Rigid Side Members
18.  Upper Wine Box
20.  Wine Bottle
22.  Lower Wine Box
24.  Display Wine Box
26.  Permanently Affixed Shelf
30.  Floor Rollers
40.  Display Stand
42.  Upper Display Area
44.  Intermediate Display Area
46.  Lower Display Area
48.  Telescoping Sliding Base
50.  Display Stand
52.  Slide Frame
54.  Slide Tray
56.  Floor Rollers
58.  Frame Rollers
60.  Locking Tab
66.  Wine Box
68.  Rolling Shelf
70.  Display Stand
72.  Guide Wheels
74.  Locking Tabs
80.  Slide Frame
82.  Hooking Tab
84.  Display Stand Tube
86.  Recess
90.  Single Unit
92.  Single Box
94.  Wine Bottles
96.  Storage Compartment
98.  Front Face
100. Tray
102. Sliding Mechanism
104. Rollers
106. Positioning Indents
110. Locking Storage Compartment
112. Toggle Lock
114. Sliding Member
116. Vertical Support Post
118. Positioning Rivet
120. Sliding Compartment
122. Sliding Tray Side
124. Storage Compartment
126. Horizontal Support Member
128. Horizontally Oriented Upper Flat Surface

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display stand made in accordance with the present invention, generally denoted by numeral 10, including a cage-like display stand 12 having a lower pull-out tray 14. Pull-out tray 14 is encased within four rigid side members 16, supporting therein an upper wine box 18 for display and a lower storage wine box 22 containing wine bottles 20. Permanently affixed shelf 26 is attached to the four side rigid side members 16 and in a position that will support and display a conventionally sized display wine box 24. Pull-out tray 14 has affixed thereto some floor rollers for supporting the wine boxes being stored thereon, so that the weight of the wine boxes on the pull-out tray 14 does not tip over the entire display stand when it is extended. Further aspects will be described more fully hereinbelow.

FIG. 2 illustrates yet another aspect of the present invention including a display box generally denoted by numeral 40 including an upper display area 42, an intermediate display area 44, and a lower display area 46. Each of these is supported in a telescoping fashion on top of telescoping sliding base 48 and may be retracted into a nesting arrangement while supporting storage boxes of wine on the intermediate and lower display areas 44 and 46, respectively. The telescoping sliding base 48 will retract so that it is supporting all of the display areas from beneath.

FIG. 3 is a bottom-plan view of the display stand of FIG. 1, showing the relative placement of the elements of a display stand generally denoted by the numeral 50, including a slide frame 52 with a slide tray 54 having floor rollers 56 integral therewith. Slide tray 54 is kept on a track by frame rollers 58 which are engaged in place by locking tabs 60, described below with reference to FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B.

FIG. 4 shows relative placement of wine box 66 on top of rolling shelf 68. Guide wheels 72 are attached underneath rolling shelf 68 within display stand 70. Locking tabs 74 secure the rolling shelf 68 so that it does not roll away.

Looking next to FIGS. 5A and 5B, more careful detail is shown of locking tabs 82 attached to rolling shelf 80. Recesses 86 in display stand tube 84 are adapted to receive locking tab 82 when it is in its downward orientation. When the tray is to be moved, locking tabs 82 must be placed into the unsecured position to allow rolling tray 80 to be moved.

FIG. 6 illustrates a single unit generally denoted by 90 having a single box 92 on the horizontal upper surface with a single storage compartment underneath. Single display box 92 being the original merchandising box with wine bottles therein showing advertising space on the side of the box. Box 92 is cut out on its front to display wine bottles 94 ready to be purchased by a customer. Box 92 is shown with some of the bottles already purchased. Underneath box 92 is a storage compartment 96 having a front face 98 with a hand cut-out to facilitate pulling out a tray 100. Sliding mechanism 102 permits easy sliding by pulling on front face 98, such that wine bottles within tray 100 (not shown) so that we can see the tray 100.

FIG. 7 shows the single unit 90 of FIG. 6 with its tray 100 pulled out to reveal the storage contents sliding mechanism 102 shows tracks for rollers 104. As can be seen from this view, wine display box 92 remains in position, ready to be replenished by the contents of tray 100.

FIG. 8 shows the sliding mechanism 102 of storage compartment 96. Tray 100 with rollers 104 are viewed in its original position within storage compartment 96.

FIG. 9 shows a single storage compartment 96 with its tray 100 pulled out by front face 98 on rollers 104. Positioning indents 106 are illustrated on the top of the storage box 96 ready to receive another storage box thereon. Positioning indents 106 prevent the storage box being placed thereon from sliding out of position.

With combined reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 there is shown variations of multiple storage units under display box 92. In these aspects, multiple display areas for display box 92 are shown with wine bottles 94 selling different brands or types of wine. FIG. 10 shows a slide-out tray 100 behind the second tier of display area. In the lowest storage compartment, an elongated tray 100 is easily pulled out by pulling on front face 98, while FIG. 11 shows a triple tier of display areas for multiple brands or types of wine in their original storage box 92.

FIG. 12 is yet another variation where the display boxes 92 are displayed on multiple levels with storage compartment 96 behind the display areas. Trays 100 may be slid out to retrieve content within the storage compartment 96.

FIG. 13 shows yet another aspect of the present invention with multiple display box configurations, as is common in a wine shop. Customers can walk up to the ninety-degree angle display stand and make a selection amongst the various contents of the display boxes 92. Such a configuration is appealing to customers and may be placed in the corner of the wine store to minimize footprint within the retail operation. Slide-out storage compartments 96 are shown with rollers 104 attached to the bottom of tray 100 for ease of access to replenish the contents 94 of the display boxes 92.

FIG. 14 shows merchandise 91 within display box 92 that is boxed instead of wine bottles, such as boxed tissues or candy or any other boxed merchandise. Storage compartment 96 holds additional boxed merchandise 91 ready to be slid out by front face 98 for ready access to replenish display box 92.

FIG. 15 shows a final aspect of the present invention with canned goods 93 in display box 92 on top of storage compartment 96 having a slide-out tray 100 and concealed by front face 98.

With combined reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B, a locking storage compartment generally denoted by 110 includes a toggle lock 112 with a sliding member 114 in communication with a vertical support post 116. A positioning rivet 118 holds the vertical support post 116 in place relative to sliding compartments 120. Sliding tray side 122 being held in place within storage compartment 124. A horizontal support member 126 delineates separate storage compartments 124. A horizontally oriented upper flat surface 128 acts as the display area for products being sold. As toggle lock 112 is slid in and out of the storage compartment, it activates the sliding member 114 to secure the sliding compartment in place, thereby preventing multiple storage compartments 120 from sliding out at the same time, so that the storage compartment will not become top-heavy and tip over.

In summary, numerous benefits have been described which result from employing any or all of the concepts and the features of the various specific aspects of the present invention, or those that are within the scope of the invention. The display stand acts to provide a new, novel, and non-obvious display stand for storing and displaying wine bottles in an attractive, economical, and unburdensome manner.

The foregoing description of a preferred aspect of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings with regards to the specific aspects. The aspect was chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various aspects and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims which are appended hereto.

Claims

1. A display and storage stand for displaying and storing merchandise in a retail store location, comprising:

at least one stationary display shelf for merchandise to be displayed at an advantageous height for customer access;

at least one slidably movable lower storage shelf underneath and immediately adjacent to the stationary display shelf for storing additional merchandise is located in a convenient location for a stock clerk to have ready access to replenish the merchandise sold from the display shelf; and

a positioning locking mechanism in the slidably movable lower storage shelf that locks said lower storage shelf in position to prevent a loaded lower storage shelf from tipping over the display and storage stand.

2. The display and storage stand of claim 1, wherein the stationary display shelf further includes a merchandise securement device for preventing merchandise from slipping off the display shelf.

3. The display and storage stand of claim 1, wherein said at least one stationary display shelf includes two or more display shelves at a 90° angle to one another for displaying merchandise.

4. The display and storage stand of claim 1, wherein said at least one slidably movable lower storage shelf underneath and immediately adjacent to the stationary display shelf includes rollers for carrying the weight of the merchandise being stored thereon, so that the lower storage shelf can be slid more easily.

5. The display and storage stand of claim 1, wherein said at least one slidably movable lower storage shelf underneath and immediately adjacent to the stationary display shelf includes multi-level slidably movable stacked shelves to hold merchandise for replenishing the display shelf.

6. The display and storage stand of claim 1, wherein said positioning locking mechanism in the slidably movable lower storage shelf that locks said lower storage shelf in position includes a toggle locking mechanism that is in communication with the display and storage stand such that when the slidably movable lower storage shelf is slid out to access the stored merchandise, the toggle lock prevents additional shelves from being able to be slid out, whereby a shift of weight of the contents of the display and storage stand is unbalanced and susceptible to being tipped over.