Merchandiser assembly

Abstract

A merchandiser assembly includes a base and a plurality of support hoops having lower ends, wherein the lower ends may be secured adjacent to the base. The hoops may define a gap formed between the hoops for containing rolled articles from movement in a transverse direction. The assembly further comprises a rest rail attached across the gap so as to contain rolled articles from movement in a forward direction perpendicular to said transverse direction. The rest rail may include a rest surface and be adjustable between a tall and short orientation, wherein when the rest rail is in the tall orientation, the rest surface is at a greater distance from the base than when the rest rail is in the short orientation, so as to allow the rail to be adjusted to support rolled articles of multiple lengths.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/601,096 filed Aug. 12, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an assembly for transporting and displaying rugs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the rug industry, manufacturers design and produce rugs for shipment to distributors and/or vendors. Once produced, it is desired that the rugs be packaged in a manner to allow easy loading/unloading of the rugs onto/off of a truck. In the past, manufacturers would roll the rugs and place them lengthwise on pallets. The problem with this approach was that pallet loaders or forklifts had difficulty accessing the pallet and loading the pallet full of rugs on the truck. To solve this problem, manufacturers began using open top merchandiser assemblies so that rugs could be stood on end (e.g. vertically) within the cage of the assembly. However, these merchandiser assemblies proved to be weak and often failed due to the weight of the heavy stacked rugs. In addition, as vendors desired to display rugs in the same assemblies in which the rugs were shipped, stronger, more functional assemblies were needed.

As such, there is a need for durable merchandiser assemblies configured to secure a number of rugs during transport and display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is intended to address and obviate problems and shortcomings and otherwise improve previous merchandiser assemblies.

A merchandiser assembly comprising a base, a plurality of support hoops having lower ends, wherein the lower ends are secured adjacent to the base wherein the hoops define a gap formed therebetween for containing rolled articles from movement in a transverse direction, and a rest rail attached across the gap so as to contain rolled articles from movement in a forward direction perpendicular to the transverse direction comprising a rest surface and being adjustable between a tall and short orientation, wherein when the rest rail is in the tall orientation, the rest surface is at a greater distance from the base than when the rest rail is in the short orientation, so as to allow the rail to be adjusted to support rolled articles of multiple lengths.

To achieve the foregoing, a merchandiser assembly may comprise a base, a plurality of support hoops having lower ends, wherein said lower ends may be secured to the base. The assembly may further comprise a rest rail having a rest surface and a tall and short orientation, wherein when in said tall orientation, said rest surface is at a greater distance from said base than when said rest rail is in said short orientation.

To still further achieve the foregoing, a merchandiser assembly may comprise a base, a plurality of support hoops having lower ends, a base arm mount secured to the base, the base arm mount comprising a plurality of apertures configured to removeably receive the lower ends of the support hoops, and a rest rail comprising a plurality of orientations, wherein the rest rail is configured to be removeably secured to at least one of the support hoops.

To still further achieve the foregoing, a merchandiser assembly may comprise a base, a plurality of support hoops having lower ends, a plurality of base arm mounts secured to the base, the base arm mounts comprising a plurality of apertures configured to removeably receive the lower ends of the support hoops, and a rest rail comprising a rest surface and a tall and short orientation, and wherein when the rest rail is in the tall orientation, the rest surface is at a greater distance from the base than when the rest rail is in the short orientation.

Still other embodiments, combinations and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following descriptions wherein there are shown and described alternative illustrative embodiments of this invention for illustration purposes. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different aspects, objects and embodiments all without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description should be regarded as illustrative and illustrative in nature only and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a merchandiser assembly in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled merchandiser assembly of FIG. 1 with a rug secured therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawing figures in detail, wherein like numerals indicate the same elements throughout the drawing figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of the merchandiser assembly 10 according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the merchandiser assembly 10 may comprise a base 12, a pair of base arm mounts 20, a plurality of support hoops 30, a rest rail 40 and a rear rail 50. As discussed later herein, and illustrated in FIG. 2, these and other components can be fitted together to form a merchandiser assembly for transporting and displaying rugs 17 and other articles of various sizes in a convenient and space efficient manner. Moreover, while the present invention is described as being used with transporting and displaying rugs, other products may be used in association with the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, base 12 of merchandiser assembly 10 is illustrated as comprising a pallet type design. More particularly, pallet 12 may comprise a plurality of spaced slats 14 secured to a frame 16. The design allows vertically displayed rugs to rest in between the spaced slats 14. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, corner 18 of rolled rug 17 may rest between slats 14a and 14b. This design may assist in keeping the rolled rugs 17 in a vertical orientation. Pallet design is also useful as it provides channels 19 for accepting forks of a forklift and/or a pallet loader for transporting the merchandiser assembly about a display surface or from/to a transport truck. Of course any base may be used such as, for example, a base comprising a solid sheet in place of the slats with a plurality of holes cut therein so as to accept and secure a rolled rug.

In order to secure support hoops 30 to base 12, a pair of base arm mounts 20 may be used. As illustrated, each base arm mount 20 may comprise a generally U-shaped configuration with a number of support hoop apertures 22 therein. In addition, base arm mount 20 may comprise a mount lip 24 and upper and lower prop lips 26a and 26b. Although a pair of base arm mounts 20 are illustrated, any number of base arm mounts 20 may be used.

Base arm mount 20 may be secured to the base 12 and be configured to telescopingly receive the support hoops 30. More particularly, mount lip 24 of base arm mount 20 may be positioned located on slat 14 of base 12 and then be secured thereto by drilling fasteners 27 through holes 28 located in the mount lip 24 and into slat 14 of base 12. As illustrated in FIG. 2, base arm mounts 20 may be secured to base 12 at the outer edge thereof. However, it is contemplated that base arm mounts 20 may be secured at any location on the base. In addition, it should be understood that base arm mounts 20 may comprise any apparatus or assembly configured to receive and maintain support hoops 30 in a desired position.

As illustrated, merchandiser assembly may also comprise a plurality of support hoops 30. Between these support hoops 30, a gap may be is formed so that rugs may be inserted and maintained during transport and/or display. More particularly, rugs or other rolled articles positioned within the gaps are contained from movement in a transverse direction. While rugs may be able to move side to side to the adjacent hoop, such rugs are contained sufficiently to prevent the rugs from falling to the ground side to side.

Each support hoop 30 may comprise two support arms 32 and a divider arm 34 to form a generally U-shaped configuration or hoop. Support and divider arm 32 and 34 may comprise individual components telescopingly fitted together, or in another embodiment, may comprise a single piece, such as a single post bent into a U-shaped configuration. Of course, in another embodiment “support hoops” may actually comprise a wall or other such divider for rugs or articles capable of containing the same. Accordingly, the use of the term “hoop” is not intended to connote a structural limitation. Upper and lower ends 32a and 32b of support arms 32 or hoop 30 may comprise openings 36 and 38 for accepting one or more fasteners discussed below.

As shown, merchandiser assembly 10 comprises four support hoops 30. However, any number of support hoops 30 may be secured to any desired size base. As previously discussed, support hoops may be telescopingly received in base arm mounts 20 at support hoop apertures 20. More particularly, lower end 32b and support hoop 30 may be received in upper and lower apertures 22a and 22b of base arms mounts 20 and be secured thereto with, for example, a fastener, or other locking arrangement. In one embodiment, lower end 32a of support hoop 30 may rest on base 12 (e.g. FIGS. 1-2). In another embodiment, lower end 32a of support hoop 30 may rest on support arm mount 20. In addition, aside from resting on base 12, lower ends 32b of support hoops 30 are similarly stabilized against upper and lower prop lips 26a and 26b of base arm mounts 20. Because of this design, the support hoops 30 of the present invention can support heavy loads, such as rolled rugs between respective support hoops 30.

Merchandiser assembly 10 may also comprise a rest rail 40 configured to be removably secured to one or more support arms 30. More particularly, rest rail 40 may comprise upper and lower rail apertures 42 and 44 each configured to be secured to support arm openings 36, depending on the desired orientation of the rest rail 40. The rest rail 40 may be configured to provide a surface for one or more vertically rolled rugs 17 to or other articles rest against (see FIG. 2). In addition, rest rail 40 may be removable so as to load and unload merchandiser assembly. Of course, a number of components or combinations of components can be used to provide a surface to prevent or inhibit movement of the rugs in a forward direction. Accordingly, use of the term “rail” should not be limited in structure as other such components (e.g., divider, barrier, etc.) can be used.

In use, rest rail 40 may be attached across one or more gap so as to contain rolled articles from movement in a forward direction perpendicular to the transverse direction discussed above. Such containment of forward movement can mean prevention of the rugs from falling forward or backward (depending on the location of the rest rail) to the ground. Limited movement perpendicular to the transverse side-to-side direction discussed above may be appropriate when the merchandiser is not full.

It is a feature of the present invention that rolled rugs 17 of various sizes may be accommodated by switching the rest rail from tall and short orientations. By way of example, if the rolled rug 17 of FIG. 2 was a 8×11 rug (e.g. 8 foot wide, and therefore, 8 foot tall in the merchandiser assembly 10), rest rail 40 may be configured in its tall orientation as shown (e.g. rail apertures 44 aligned and secured to support arm openings 36) so that a taller rolled rug does not fall out of merchandiser assembly because rest surface 46 is higher. However, if a 6×9 rug were inserted into the merchandiser assembly 10 of FIG. 2 (e.g., an assembly with the rest rail in the tall orientation), the rug may fall under rest rail 40 and onto a display surface. Accordingly, rest rail 40 may be switched to its lower orientation (e.g. rail apertures 42 aligned and secured to support arm openings 36) to provide a support surface 46 for smaller sized rugs. It is contemplated that if larger rugs are to be transported or displayed, the rest rail 40 will be secured in its tall orientation (e.g., FIG. 2).

It should be understood that although rest rail 40 is illustrated as being fixedly secured to two support hoops 30 (e.g. rail apertures 42 or 44 aligned and secured to support arm openings 36), a number of alternative embodiments are contemplated. For example, rest rail 40 may be configured to be telescopingly received by support hoops 30 such as at the outermost support hoops, between adjacent support hoops or intermittent support hoops. Such may be accomplished by providing apertures within support hoops and securing rest raid therein through snap locks or other convention locking devices. In addition, although rest rail 40 is illustrated as being located toward the outer end of support hoops 30, any type of rest rail may be located at any position along support hoops and/or base.

Rear rail 50 is illustrated and configured to prevent one or more rolled rugs 17 from falling out of the rear of the merchandiser assembly 10. As illustrated, rear rail 50 may be configured to be fixedly secured to one or more support hoops 30 such as at openings 36. This embodiment may be desired when rugs are being transported and increased stability of the merchandiser assembly 10 is preferred. However, in another embodiment, rear rail may be selectively removable from one or all support hoops 30. Such embodiment may be desired when the merchandiser assembly 10 is used to display rugs. More particularly, if a customer desires to purchase a rug displayed in the merchandiser assembly 10, a vendor can simply remove rear rail 50 and remove the rolled rugs from the adjacent support hoops (assuming the desired rug is not first in line). Once removed, vendor can reattach rear rail 50. In such embodiment, the rear rail 50 may be secured to one or more support hoops through a snap and lock assembly, or other locking arrangement. The rear rail 50 may be configured to be removable from the all of the support hoops 30 or simply between adjacent support hoops, such as 30a and 30b (see FIG. 2). Such may be accomplished by, for example, providing hinges between adjacent rear rail pieces and corresponding to the support hoops 30. Of course, as discussed, it is contemplated that rest rail 40 may similarly be removed to load and unload rugs in the merchandise assembly.

One of the aspects of the present invention, as previously discussed, is that the merchandiser assembly can be used to transport and display rolled rugs. It is contemplated that the merchandiser assembly 10 can be modular so that each can be individually broken down and shipped to a vendor and/or manufacturer. For example, if a manufacturer has rugs to be shipped, the broken down merchandiser assembly can be delivered to the manufacturer in a packaged container. The manufacturer may then use its own base (e.g., a pallet where applicable or desired) and construct the merchandiser assembly as discussed above. The manufacturer may then load the merchandiser assembly full of rugs for transport to a vendor. Because the merchandiser assembly is designed to adapt to a conventional pallet, the constructed assembly with pallet base may be loaded onto a truck and shipped to a vendor. Once received by the vendor, the vendor may unload the merchandiser assembly from the truck and place the assembly directly in a display room, thus eliminating the step of unloading each individual rug and transferring the same to a display rack. In addition, if a vendor has rugs from a manufacturer that does not utilize the merchandiser assembly, the same broken down packaged merchandiser assembly can be shipped to the vendor, assembled and use solely to display any number of rugs. As such, the present invention provides a stable assembly for transporting and displaying rugs.

The foregoing description of the various embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. For example, the merchandiser assemblies in accordance with the present invention may display rugs of varying sizes and shapes in a variety of different arrangements and can include bases, arm base mounts and support hoops organized in a variety of arrangements. Accordingly, while some of the alternative embodiments of the merchandiser assembly have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations that have been discussed herein.

Claims

1. A merchandiser assembly comprising:

a base;

a plurality of support hoops having lower ends, wherein said lower ends are secured adjacent to said base and wherein said hoops define a gap formed therebetween for containing rolled articles from movement in a transverse direction; and

a rest rail attached across said gap so as to contain rolled articles from movement in a forward direction perpendicular to said transverse direction, said rest rail comprising a rest surface and being adjustable between a tall and short orientation, wherein when said rest rail is in said tall orientation, said rest surface is at a greater distance from said base than when said rest rail is in said short orientation, so as to allow the rail to be adjusted to support rolled articles of multiple lengths.

2. The merchandiser assembly of claim 1, wherein said rest rail is removeably secured to at least one of said support hoops.

3. The merchandiser assembly of claim 1, wherein said lower ends of said support hoops are removeably secured to said base.

4. The merchandiser assembly of claim 1, wherein said merchandiser assembly further comprises a base arm mount having a plurality of apertures configured to removeably receive said lower ends of said support hoops.

5. The merchandiser assembly of claim 4, wherein said lower ends of said plurality of said support hoops are removeably secured to said base arm mount.

6. The merchandiser assembly of claim 4, wherein said base arm mount further comprises a mount lip configured to secure said base arm mount to said base.

7. The merchandiser assembly of claim 1, wherein said base is a pallet.

8. The merchandiser assembly of claim 1 further comprising a rear rail.

9. The merchandiser assembly of claim 1, wherein said base comprises channels configured to receive forks of a forklift.

10. The merchandiser assembly of claim 1, wherein said articles are rugs.

11. A merchandiser assembly comprising:

a base;

a plurality of support hoops having lower ends;

a base arm mount secured adjacent to said base, said base arm mount comprising a plurality of apertures configured to removeably receive said lower ends of said support hoops; and

a rest rail having a plurality of orientations, wherein said rest rail is configured to be removeably secured to at least one of said support hoops.

12. The merchandiser assembly of claim 11, wherein said rest rail further comprises a rest surface, and wherein when said rest rail is in said tall orientation, said rest surface is at a greater distance from said base than when said rest rail is in said short orientation.

13. The merchandiser assembly of claim 11, wherein said lower ends of said plurality of said support hoops are removeably secured to said base arm mount.

14. The merchandiser assembly of claim 11, wherein said base arm mount is further comprised of mount lips configured to secure said base arm mount to said base.

15. A merchandiser assembly comprising:

a base;

a plurality of support hoops having lower ends;

a plurality of base arm mounts secured adjacent to said base, said base arm mounts comprising a plurality of apertures configured to removeably receive said lower ends of said support hoops; and

a rest rail comprising a rest surface and a tall and short orientation, and wherein when said rest rail is in said tall orientation, said rest surface is at a greater distance from said base than when said rest rail is in said short orientation.

16. The merchandiser assembly of claim 15, wherein said rest rail is removeably secured to at least one of said support hoops.