Display rack

Abstract

A display rack for displaying many different types of products is disclosed. The display rack preferably includes a body having at least two faces, with each face having a plurality of storage portions for storing a product and a plurality of corresponding display areas. The display rack may also include a base pivotably connected to the body, where the body is capable of freely rotating with respect to the base. Finally, the display rack also preferably includes covers magnetically connected to the body to cover the display areas. In certain embodiments, multiple display racks of the present invention may be connected together to form different display rack configurations.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/639,158 filed Dec. 23, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to display racks for displaying a product, and more particularly to display racks that rotate so that various faces can be viewed from a person standing in one position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The majority of revenue that a retail store generates is due to foot traffic in its stores. The typical person is an impulse shopper who, rather than calculating his or her purchases, buys at first sight. Often times, retail chains will configure their stores to optimize these types of purchases (e.g.—the strategically placed candy/gum racks located at the checkout areas of grocery stores). However, at it simplest level, the idea boils down to getting as much product on the floor and in the sight of the customer as possible.

One such type of retail store that must follow the idea of displaying the product on the floor is the store that deals in clothing. Traditionally, retail clothing stores have utilized four way racks for displaying clothing articles. A four way rack is a rack that has four arms for holding articles of clothing which stand at a level convenient for viewing by a customer. Typically, the articles of clothing are hung on hangers and suspended from the arms of the four way racks. These articles are generally hung in groups, with varying sizes being represented. For example, the different sizes of a specific design T-shirt will hang from one arm of a four way rack. A typical four way rack of this type can hang/display upwards of 96 T-shirts. However, the total amount of articles varies depending upon the type and size of the article of clothing.

Aside from utilizing four way racks to display their articles of clothing, retail clothing stores will also make use of shelving built against or into walls, arms like those on the four way racks extending from walls, tables, and other arrangements.

Regardless of which of these types of display apparatus a retail store utilizes, problems will exist. For example, floor space or retail real estate will typically be limited. The average retail store resides in a mall of some type, therefore sharing the actual building space with many other stores. This requires each establishment to optimize its actual floor space so that a consumer has the option to view as much inventory as possible. With the typical display methods previously utilized, retail stores are not doing this. Furthermore, the prior art display methods often make searching through the inventory a difficult task for the consumer. For example, displaying articles of clothing on a table or a shelf requires a consumer to shuffle through each and every article prior to making a purchase, often leaving a mess which must be tidied up by store personnel. This makes viewing the article as a whole and choosing a correct size, a daunting task.

Therefore, there exists a need for an improved means and method of displaying retail products such as articles of clothing or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention is a display rack for displaying a product. In accordance with one embodiment of this first aspect, the display rack preferably includes a body having at least two faces, each face having at least two combinations of a storage portion and a corresponding display area, a base rotatably connected to the body, and at least one cover magnetically and removably coupled to each face, the cover each covering a plurality of display areas.

In other embodiments, the display rack may further include wheels connected to the base. In addition, the display rack may further include a channel located on or adjacent the display area of the body, the cover fitting into the channel. In this embodiment, the cover may be forced into the channel by at least one magnet. Also in this embodiment, the covers may be removed through the use of an aperture located through the display area. Additionally, the display rack may further include a substantially flat top portion connected to the body. The display rack may also include an adaptable display connection located on the body. This adaptable display connection may allow connection of a hat rack, signage, or other device to the body.

In certain embodiments, multiple display racks can be connected together, while the bodies of the display racks are still allowed to rotate with respect to their respective bases. The multiple display racks can be configured in a straight line, around an object, or under a substantially flat object, among others. In other embodiments, the display rack can be placed less than six inches away from a wall, while the body is still freely rotatable with respect to the base.

Another aspect of the present invention is a display rack configuration. Preferably, this display rack configuration include at least two display racks, each of the display racks having a body including at least two faces, where each face has at least two combinations of a storage portion and a corresponding display area. In this aspect, the at least two display racks are preferably connected together, and the bodies of each display rack are preferably allowed to rotate with respect to their respective bases. The display racks may be connected together by a spacer. A pinch bar or the like may be situated between the display racks. In certain embodiments, the pinch bar may be at least partially constructed of a soft material. Finally, the configuration may include means for connecting each display rack to each spacer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments which are only one example of the invention herein, the detailed description to be taken together with the drawings of preferred embodiments, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a display rack according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the display rack of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of section A of FIG. 2 with a cover partially removed;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view detailing the aperture for facilitating the removal of the cover of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the display rack of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of the display rack of FIG. 1 with a hat rack attached thereto;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a display rack according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front plan view of the display rack of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of section B of FIG. 6 with a cover partially removed;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the display rack of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a two display rack configuration according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a front plan view of the two display rack configuration of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective perspective view of section C of FIG. 10

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the two display rack configuration of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of another two display rack configuration according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a front plan view of the two display rack configuration of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the two display rack configuration of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a three display rack configuration according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a front plan view of the three display rack configuration of FIG. 16;

FIG. 17A is an enlarged perspective view of section D of FIG. 17;

FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of the three display rack configuration of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a four display rack configuration according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a two display rack configuration having a pinch bar according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a three display rack configuration having pinch bars according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a front plan view of the three display rack of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the three display rack of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of a four display rack configuration arranged in a straight line according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a top plan view of a four display rack configuration arranged in a square according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of a four display rack configuration arranged around a pillar according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In describing the preferred embodiments of the subject matter illustrated and to be described with respect to the drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to any specific terms used herein, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a display rack, designated generally by reference numeral 10. The display rack of this invention is configured to display articles of clothing, such as T-shirts or the like. However, it should be noted that the present invention can be utilized to display any product or object. For example, one embodiment of the present invention is a display rack 10 configured to display books, while another is a rack 10 sized and configured to display hats. Thus, it is contemplated that the display rack of the present invention can be configured to display many different objects.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, display rack 10 includes a body 12 rotatably coupled to a base 14. The connection between body 12 and base 14 can be of any type design that allows for rotating between the two portions. In a preferred embodiment, the connection between body 12 and base 14 is commonly known as a lazy Susan type design. However, other designs are contemplated, that those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize as being capable of allowing body 12 to rotate with respect to base 14. In the preferred embodiment shown in the Figures, body 12 is a substantially rectangular object and includes four substantially similar faces commonly labeled with reference numeral 16, and further limited with the inclusion of a letter designation (e.g.—a, b, c and d) as best shown in FIG. 4. Each face 16 preferably has four storage portions 18 and four display areas 20. However, it should be noted that body 12 can include any number of faces, and similarly, each face can include any number of storage portions 18 and display areas 20. Furthermore, variations in size and shape are contemplated to, among other things, facilitate the displaying of different types of products.

Storage portions 18 are substantially cubed shaped portions formed by or carved into body 12. Each storage portion 18 preferably forms a shelf 19 that holds whatever product the retail store wishes to display. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, storage portions 18 are configured to hold a plurality of folded T-shirts. Display areas 20 are substantially flat areas that are designed to hold information relating to the products housed in corresponding storage portions 18. For example, one specific display area 20a (shown in FIG. 1) would hold a card 21 depicting the logo or style of a T-shirt housed in corresponding storage portion 18a. This set-up facilitates a consumer to more easily purchase a T-shirt. Where prior art display racks force a prospective purchaser to fumble through all of the folded T-shirt products to find a desired style, the present invention allows a consumer to simply identify the style by looking at the clear display area. Furthermore, providing sizing stickers on each folded T-shirt, so that such sticker can be seen when the folded shirt is properly placed in storage portion 18 on shelf 19, allows a user to quickly choose the correct size, without the aforementioned hassle of fumbling through and unfolding all of the T-shirt products.

As is also shown in the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, display areas 20 are covered by a cover 22. As mentioned above, each display area 20 preferably holds card 21 which depicts some information relating to a product housed in a corresponding storage area 18. Card 21 is essentially a branding advertisement that can be changed at will, and may be attached to display area 20 by any means contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the art. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, card 21 is preferably held in place by a sticky or gummy material that also allows for easy removal of the card. Also in this preferred embodiment, display area 20 includes aligning means (not shown) on its surface. These aligning means, which amount to a pattern scribed on the surface of display area 20 in the preferred embodiment, are utilized to set card 21 in its correct position. Once cards 21 for each display area 20 are set in their correct position, single cover 22 is preferably placed over all of the display areas located on single face 16. Thus, cards 21 are rather fixedly held in place. It is noted that other aligning means can be utilized. For example, display area 20 can include a section which is recessed in the shape of a card to capture such card therein, and thereby align same.

Cover 22 is preferably a unitary and flexible cover. In the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, cover 22 is preferably constructed of plexiglass and includes at least one magnet 25 (best shown in FIG. 3). Transparent areas 27 of cover 22 correspond with display areas 20, so that the aforementioned cards 21 can be seen. Display area 20 of body 12 further includes at least one magnet 26 corresponding to magnet 25 of cover 22 and a channel 24 (also best shown in FIG. 3) for receiving an end of cover 22. Channel 24 is preferably a J-shaped channel, but can be other configurations. In operation, one end of cover 22 is inserted into channel 24, and magnet 25 is aligned with magnet 26. The opposing magnets cause a force which pushes cover 22 into channel 24 and holds it in place (as best shown in FIG. 3). As best discussed above, this in turn covers and further retains cards 21 in their respective positions. In a preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 3A, one of the display areas 20 on each face 16 includes an aperture 28 for facilitating the removal of cover 22. When it is desired to remove cover 22, a user simply inserts a finger or tool into aperture 28 through an adjacent storage portion 18. The user then pushes into cover 22 through aperture 28 to dislodge magnet 25 from magnet 26. Thereafter, cover 22 can be grasped by a user from the front of area 20 and preferably removed from channel 24 and away from display area 20. It is contemplated that any number of magnets can be utilized on either display area 20 or cover 22, ranging from a single elongate magnet to a plurality of smaller magnets, to a single small magnet.

Display rack 10 further includes a top portion 30. It should be noted that display rack 10 can be dimensioned so that top portion 30 resides at any level convenient for viewing by a consumer. For example, in some embodiments, display rack 10 can be dimensioned so that top portion 30 is positioned at eye-level with an average consumer. In other embodiments, display rack 10 is dimensioned so that top portion 30 is at a level conducive for being used as a table top. Furthermore, top portion 30 can include an adaptable display connection 32 for receiving additional display or advertising devices, as shown in FIG. 4A. For example, display connection 32 can be utilized to facilitate connection of a hat rack 34 to display rack 10, as shown in FIG. 4A. Thus, both T-shirts and hats can be displayed by a single display rack 10. In other embodiments, display connection 32 can be utilized to display signage or other indicia. However, it should be noted that display connection can be of any configuration to facilitate connection with any device beneficial for use with display rack 10.

In use, a consumer may remain in one position and view all of the product contained on each of the faces 16. Upon viewing each of the display areas 20 on a first face 16a, a user may spin body 12 in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction to bring a second face, such as face 16b (best shown in FIG. 4), into view. This can be repeated until all of the products located in and on each face are viewed. In a preferred embodiment, the display rack preferably includes four faces, with each face having four pairs of corresponding storage portions 18 and display areas 20. Each of these pairs of corresponding storage portions 18 and display areas 20 can store and display at least a dozen T-shirts. Therefore, one entire display rack 10 can store and display upwards of 192 T-shirts. Compared with the aforementioned prior art four way racks, which can only hold upwards of 96 T-shirts, and are rather clumsy to utilize, the display rack 10 of the present invention allows a customer to peruse a vastly greater amount of product from one position. Moreover for stores with limited retail real estate, display racks 10 of the present invention can be placed extremely close to walls, thereby freeing up other space. The only limitation is that the display rack 10 sits just far enough away from the wall so that it may continue to rotate. In a preferred embodiment, this distance is approximately 4.5 inches, but may greatly vary depending upon the actual dimensions of rack 10. The prior art is simply not capable of being placed this close to a wall because of its lack of rotation and the mobility of customers to squeeze between the rack and the wall. Thus, products placed in the back of the prior art four way racks would not be able to be viewed by a consumer.

It is envisioned that a retail store would require such display racks to be moved into different positions around the store. Therefore, in other preferred embodiments, display racks configured in accordance with the present invention are configured to allow for their own easy mobility. As shown in FIGS. 5-8, display rack 10′ can be fitted with wheels 38′. It is noted that the remainder of the elements of rack 10′ are substantially similar to those of rack 10 and will thus be identified with like reference numerals employing a prime (“′”) indicator. These wheels 38′ are connected to base 14′ in a manner well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, it is contemplated that other means can be utilized to allow for the mobility of display rack 10′. For example, display rack 10′ may be fitted with polymeric legs that allow for easy sliding of the device across certain types of flooring.

FIGS. 9-26 show multiple display racks 10 of the present invention connected to one another to form various display rack configurations 100. In embodiments according to this modular aspect of the present invention, a spacer 140 is preferably utilized to connect bases 14 of adjacent display racks 10 to form configurations 100. As is best shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 11, each base 14 of the display racks 10 includes a system screw 144 that connects with a connector clip 142 of spacer 140. While this is one method of attaching bases 14 to spacer 140, it is noted that other methods can be utilized. For example, each base 14 can be connected to spacer 140 by any male and female connection. In addition, one of base 14 or spacer 140 may include a slot, while the other includes a projection for insertion into the slot. In the preferred embodiment, each base 14 includes system screws 144 or the like on all of its sides, thereby allowing for connection to spacers 140 in various configurations 100. It is noted that similar configurations 100′ can be formed by connecting adjacent display racks 10′, as described above.

This aforementioned connection of adjacent display racks of the present invention allows for many different configurations to be formed. For example, FIGS. 9-15 and 20 depict a two display rack configuration, FIGS. 16-18 and 21-23 depict a three display rack configuration, and FIGS. 19 and 24-26 depict four display rack configurations. It is contemplated however, that any number of display racks 10 can be utilized to form any shape configuration 100. One such configuration 100 that can be extremely useful for stores having relatively small floor space is arranging four display racks around a structural pillar or other floor to ceiling device. This type of configuration is shown best in FIG. 26. It should also be noted that entire configurations 100′ of display racks can be made easily movable. For example, the aforementioned wheels 38′ can be placed on bases 14′ of display racks 10′ as shown in FIGS. 13-15 and 20. In these embodiments, the entire configuration 100′ of display racks 10′ can be moved at one time.

Referring to FIGS. 20-24, a configuration of display racks 10, 10′ and spacers 140 may also include a pinch bar 150 or the like. Pinch bar 150 is preferably made of a soft compressible material that, when properly positioned between two display racks 10, 10′, prevents injuries caused by limbs or other body parts becoming stuck between the display racks. Rather than allowing a limb to be trapped between two of the display racks, the body part is trapped (if at all) between one individual display rack 10, 10′ and the soft pinch bar 150, whereupon the soft nature of pinch bar 150 prevents serious injury. Thereafter, either display rack 10, 10′ can be rotated or pinch bar 150 can be moved to release the limb. It is contemplated that one pinch bar 150 can be utilized for each adjacent pair of display racks 10, 10′. Furthermore, it is also contemplated that pinch bar 150 can be used to support a top shelf or other surface to be disposed above top portion 30.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display rack for displaying a product comprising:

a body having at least two faces, each face having at least two combinations of a storage portion and a corresponding display area;

a base rotatably connected to said body; and

at least one cover magnetically and removably coupled to each face, said cover covering a plurality of display areas.

2. The display rack of claim 1, further comprising wheels connected to said base.

3. The display rack of claim 1, wherein said cover fits into a channel located on or adjacent to the display area of said body.

4. The display rack of claim 3, wherein said cover is forced into said channel by at least one magnet.

5. The display rack of claim 4, further including at least one aperture located through the display area, the aperture allowing for a force to be exerted on said cover.

6. The display rack of claim 1, further including a substantially flat top portion connected to said body.

7. The display rack of claim 1, further including an adaptable display connection located on said body.

8. The display rack of claim 7, wherein a signage or a display rack such as a hat rack is connected to said body via the adaptable display connection.

9. The display rack of claim 1, wherein at least two of said display racks are connected together, and said bodies of each said display rack are allowed to rotate.

10. The display rack of claim 9, wherein said display racks are arranged in a straight line configuration.

11. The display rack of claim 9, wherein said display racks are arranged around an object.

12. The display rack of claim 9, wherein said display racks are arranged under a substantially flat object.

13. The display rack of claim 1, wherein said display rack is placed less than six inches from a wall, and said body is freely rotatable with respect to said base.

14. A display rack configuration comprising:

at least two display racks, each said display rack having a body including at least two faces, where each face has at least two combinations of a storage portion and a corresponding display area, and a base rotatably connected to said body,

wherein said at least two display racks are connected together, and said bodies of each display rack are allowed to rotate with respect to said respective bases.

15. The display rack configuration of claim 14, wherein said at least two display racks are arranged in a straight line configuration.

16. The display rack configuration of claim 14, wherein said display racks are arranged around an object.

17. The display rack configuration of claim 14, wherein said display racks are arranged under a substantially flat object.

18. The display rack configuration of claim 14, wherein said display racks are connected together by a spacer.

19. The display rack configuration of claim 18, wherein said spacer includes a pinch bar situated between said display racks.

20. The display rack configuration of claim 19, wherein said pinch bar is at least partially constructed of a soft material.

21. The display rack configuration of claim 18, further comprising means for connecting each said display rack to each said spacer.