STOCK WING MERCHANDISE DISPLAY

Abstract

A merchandising display system having a molded shelf unit containing a plurality of shelves and/or a pegboard for holding goods, and one or more graphic panels for displaying advertising or other information is disclosed. The shelf unit includes first and second side walls having undulating front edges. The graphic panels conform to match the undulating edges.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is being filed concurrently with U.S. Design patent application No. 29/296,664 (Attorney Docket No.: 53067-3030).

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally relates to a merchandise display system, and more particularly, to a stock wing merchandise display system having a molded shelf support unit for supporting a plurality of merchandise holding shelves or a peg board, and information panels for displaying advertisements or other relevant data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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.

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 information or advertising.

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 full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA

The present invention provides a stock wing merchandise display system. The display system incorporates unique styling, including undulating or curvilinear side walls, and graphic display panels to provide additional information or advertising and further attract customers to the goods or products displayed.

In accordance with one 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 defining a plane, a first side wall extending outwardly along a first 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 first graphic panel and is also disposed outwardly from the plane of the back wall. The display further includes a plurality of shelves connected to the shelf holder.

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 bottom 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.

The shelves can be formed from a clear or translucent material. Alternatively, the shelves can be opaque. The shelves can all be of one color, or in a plurality of colors, or include patterns or other graphics.

One of the plurality of shelves can be configured to have a first width from the first 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 width 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.

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

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.

Additionally, the shelf holder has a plurality of openings or apertures for mounting the plurality of shelves. The plurality of openings allows for mounting the plurality of shelves at multiple positions. Other conventional means can be utilized to connect the shelves to the shelf holder. Additionally, shelves could be integrally formed into the unit. In this instance, it may be easier to form the shelves without a front wall.

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 wall portion defines a lower end to the shelving area, and an upper wall extending from a top of the back wall portion defines an upper end to the shelving area. A first side wall extends along a first side of the shelving area and has a front edge having a first portion extending a first distance from the back wall portion and a second portion extending a second distance from the back wall portion wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance. A first graphic panel is positioned proximate the first side wall having a first portion extending the first distance from the back wall portion and a second portion extending the second distance from the back wall portion.

The merchandise display system further comprises a plurality of shelves connected to the shelf holder in the shelving area. The shelves may be integrally connected or formed with the shelf holder, or connectable to the shelf holder.

Each of the plurality of shelves is formed into a tray having opposing first and second ends and opposing first and second sides, the ends and sides extending from a bottom wall. The plurality of shelves can be formed from a translucent material.

The front edge of the first side wall can be formed to have an undulating configuration. Additionally, the first graphic panel can be formed to match at least a portion of the undulating configuration.

Similar to the first side wall, the display system can include a second side wall extending along a second side of the shelving area and having a front edge with a first portion extending a first distance from the back wall portion and a second portion extending a second distance from the back wall portion wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance. The second side wall can have an undulating configuration matching the undulating configuration of the front edge of the first side wall.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention a merchandise display system for providing shelving space and advertising space comprises a molded plastic shelf unit 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 formed 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

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 first 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 match the shape and size of the back wall of the display unit.

The display system further comprises 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 inserted through the apertures in the pegboard to secure the structures to the pegboard. Such structures could be incorporated in the goods or other items 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.

Each of the plurality of posts includes a front opening and an internal thread configuration. The internal thread is designed to cooperate with threads of a screw. The screw can be inserted through 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.

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.

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.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the display unit can be configured to include both a pegboard and one or more shelves.

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.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND ATTACHMENTS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the display system of the present invention;

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

FIG. 3 is back plan view the display system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a first side plan view of the display system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a second side plan view of the display system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the display system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the display system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the back of the display system of FIG. 1 without a back panel;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative display system having a pegboard in accordance with the present invention; and,

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the alternative display system of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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 embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a stock wing display system 10 in accordance with the present invention is provided. The stock wing display system 10 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.

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 extend between a first end wall 22 and an opposing second end wall 24. The side walls 18, 20 and end walls 22, 24 of the shelves 16 extend upward from a flat bottom wall 25.

The shelves can be formed from a clear or translucent plastic or other similar material, or can be opaque. Additionally, the shelves may include advertising or some other information, indicia or graphics.

The shelf unit 12 includes a first side wall 26 and an opposing second side wall 28. The shelf unit 12 also includes a bottom wall 30 and a top wall 32. FIGS. 6 and 7 provide a top plan view and bottom plan view of the shelf unit 12, respectively.

The shelving unit 12 is formed to include a first graphic panel 34 positioned above the shelving area 14. The shelving unit 12 also includes a second graphic panel 36 positioned proximate the second side 28 and extending downward from the first graphic panel.

The graphic panels 34, 36 can be used to display advertising or information 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 the goods supported by the shelves. This allows for cross-selling other products and provides another avenue for increasing revenue.

FIG. 3 provides a plan view of the back of the shelf unit 12. As illustrated in FIG. 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. Alternatively, the back panel may be provided with other conventional means for mounting the system 10.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8, the graphic panels 34, 36 are molded directly into the shelf unit 12. In this regard, FIG. 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.

As evident from these Figures, the first graphic panel 34 extends from the top wall 32 of the shelf unit 12 to a first lower wall 38. The first graphic panel also extends substantially from the first side 26 of the display unit 12 to the second side 28.

The second graphic panel 36 extends downward from a portion of the first graphic panel proximate the second side wall 28 to a second lower wall 40. The second graphic panel 36 also extends from the second side wall 28 to an interior wall 42.

In combination, the first lower wall 38, second lower wall 40 and inner wall 42 of the graphic panels 34, 36 form an upper boundary of the shelving area 14. Because the second graphic panel 36 extends inward from the second side wall 28, 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 formed to fit in the upper area.

FIG. 8 also shows a back wall 45 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 inner wall 42 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.

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 FIGS. 4 and 5, show each side wall 26, 28 having an undulating or curvilinear front edge 46, 48.

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.

One effect of the undulating edge 46, 48 and the portions 50, 56 is that some shelves 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.

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.

Referring back to FIG. 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 wall 26, 28. The apertures 49 will therefore not 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 system 10 a more refined look.

While four shelves 16 and two graphic panels 34, 36 are shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 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 upper, narrower portion of the display system 10, and/or in the lower 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 10 can accommodate and/or the size of the goods or products being supported by the display system 10.

Referring to FIGS. 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 of FIGS. 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.

The pegboard 74 is configured to conform to the size and shape of the back wall 76 of the display unit 72. Accordingly, the pegboard 74 has a generally rectangular shape with a portion in the upper right hand corner cut away to accommodate a second graphic panel 78 (corresponding to the second graphic panel 36 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8), that extends downward from a first or top graphic panel 80.

The pegboard 74 can be a standard perforated wood panel cut to fit the internal shape of the display unit 12 and match the back wall 76. Alternatively, plastic or other materials can be used to create the pegboard panel. The panel can be painted, stained or otherwise decorated as desired. 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.

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 FIG. 10, to create the space between the back wall 76 and the pegboard 74, the display system 70 is provided 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 wall 76 of the display unit 72.

The posts 84 can each include a threaded nut insert or structure 86 in 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 include an internal threaded structure in the back facing 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.

Alternatively, the posts 84 can be connected to the back wall 76 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) or a foam tape, or sonic or heat welding. Additionally, the posts 84 can also be integrally formed with or molded directly into the display unit 72.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the shelf unit 12 of FIGS. 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.

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.

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 structures to the pegboard 74 of the display system 70 utilizing one or more of the holes 82 in the pegboard 74.

Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 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. 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.

Although the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8 only shows the unit 12 with shelves 16, and the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 only shows the unit 72 with a pegboard 74, another embodiment of the invention can be combine both shelves and a pegboard in a single system. For example, one or more shelves 16 can be placed in the system while leaving 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.

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.

Claims

1. A display system for stocking and displaying goods comprising:

a shelf holder having a back wall defining a plane, a first side wall extending outwardly along a first side of the back wall, a second side wall extending outwardly from a second side of the back wall;

a first graphic panel extending along a top portion of the shelf holder, the first graphic panel disposed outwardly from the plane of the back wall;

a second graphic panel positioned below the first graphic panel, the second graphic panel disposed outwardly from the plane of the back wall; and,

a plurality of shelves connected to the shelf holder.

2. The display system of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of shelves comprises 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 bottom 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.

3. The display system of claim 2 wherein each of the plurality of shelves is formed from a translucent material.

4. The display system of claim 1 wherein one of the plurality of shelves has a first width from the first end to the second end of the shelf, and the remaining plurality of shelves have a second width from the first end to the second end of the shelves, the first width being less than the second width.

5. The display system of claim 1 wherein the one shelf of the plurality of shelves is aligned with the second graphic panel.

6. The display system of claim 1 wherein the first and second side walls each have an undulating front edge.

7. The display system of claim 6 wherein the plurality of shelves extend outward from the back wall a distance greater than a portion of the front edge of the bottom wall.

8. The display system of claim 1 wherein the shelf holder has a plurality of openings for mounting the plurality of shelves.

9. A merchandise display system comprising:

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 wall portion defining a lower end to the shelving area, and an upper wall extending from a top of the back wall portion defining an upper end to the shelving area, a first side wall extending along a first side of the shelving area and having a front edge having a first portion extending a first distance from the back wall portion and a second portion extending a second distance from the back wall portion wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance, and a first graphic panel positioned proximate the first side wall having a first portion extending the first distance from the back wall portion and a second portion extending the second distance from the back wall portion.

10. The merchandise display system of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of shelves connected to the shelf holder in the shelving area.

11. The merchandise displays system of claim 10 wherein each of the plurality of shelves is formed into a tray having opposing first and second ends and opposing first and second sides, the ends and sides extending from a bottom wall.

12. The merchandise display system of claim 10 wherein the front edge of the first side wall has an undulating configuration.

13. The merchandise display system of claim 12 wherein the first graphic panel matches at least a portion of the undulating configuration.

14. The merchandise display system of claim 12 further comprising a second side wall extending along a second side of the shelving area and having a front edge with a first portion extending a first distance from the back wall portion and a second portion extending a second distance from the back wall portion wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

15. The merchandise system of claim 14 wherein the front edge of the second side wall has an undulating configuration matching the undulating configuration of the front edge of the first side wall.

16. A merchandise display system for displaying goods and providing space for advertising or other information comprising:

a display unit having a back wall, a first side wall extending outward from the back wall and a second side wall extending outward from the back wall, a first graphic panel extending along a top portion of the display unit and disposed outward from the back wall; and

a pegboard having a plurality of apertures connected to the display unit.

17. The merchandise display system of claim 16 further comprising a plurality of posts connected to the back wall of the display unit and to the pegboard to support the pegboard on the display unit and create a space between the back wall and the pegboard.

18. The merchandise display system of claim 17 wherein each of the plurality of posts includes a front opening and an internal thread configuration designed to cooperate with threads of a screw to secure the pegboard to post.

19. The merchandise display system of claim 16 further comprising a second graphic panel formed in the display unit proximate the first side wall and extending downward from the first graphic panel.

20. The merchandise display system of claim 16 wherein each of the first and second side walls have an undulating front edge.