Device Display Unit
A display fixture for personal electronic devices. The personal electronic device display fixture comprises a base plate, a pillar and a display plate configured to display an MP3 player or other personal electronic device. The personal electronic device display fixture allows for the display of items associated with the personal electronic device and can be moved easily to various locations in a retail environment. The personal electronic device display fixture may also allow for the connection of an antitheft device to the merchandise.
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The present invention relates generally to the field of merchandise display fixtures. More particularly, the invention relates to a fixture for the display of personal electronic devices in a retail environment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention that is recited in the claim. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Retailers often seek ways to display merchandise that will increase sales. Traditionally, retailers displayed merchandise in the merchandise packaging with associated items nearby the merchandise. While merchandise was displayed in its packaging, the merchandise was often displayed on shelves where items associated with the merchandise could easily be placed proximate the associated items. For example, retailers could place items such as headphones, batteries and carrying cases next to audio players on the same shelf.
As personal electronic devices have become smaller, retailers have sought new ways to display personal electronic devices outside of the merchandise packaging so that customers can evaluate the performance of the personal electronic devices. Therefore, display apparatuses have been developed that allow a retailer to display electronic merchandise free of the merchandise packaging.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONVarious embodiments provide for an improved display fixture capable of displaying an MP3 player or other personal electronic device and items associated with the personal electronic device. The display fixture may comprise a base plate, a pillar and a display plate and is configured to display items associated with the personal electronic device. In various embodiments the display fixture may also allow for an anti-theft device to be operatively connected to the display fixture and the personal electronic device displayed.
These and other advantages and features of the invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the several drawings described below.
Various embodiments provide for an improved display fixture capable of displaying an MP3 player or other personal electronic device and items associated with the personal electronic device. The display fixture may comprise a base plate, a pillar and a display plate and is configured to display items associated with the personal electronic device. In various embodiments the display fixture may also allow for an anti-theft device to be operatively connected to the display fixture and the personal electronic device displayed.
The display fixture 100 of
In further embodiments, the right display region 120, the left display region 125 and the front display region 130 may extend from the pillar 110 or the top base plate 105. Additionally, the number of hooks extending from the display arm 121 may vary. In yet further embodiments, the right display region 120, the left display region 125 and the front display region 130 may comprise, for example, a shelf, Velcro, buttons, an adhesive strip, or other mechanisms for operatively connecting the associated items 1020 to the display fixture 100.
The display of associated items 1020 proximate the personal electronic device 1010 may increase sales of the personal electronic device 1010 and items associated with the personal electronic device 1010. In the case of an MP3 player, associated items 1020 may include, for example, gift cards for the purchase of music over the internet, headphones, headphone accessories, speakers, radio transmitters, audio output adapters, audio capture devices, cables, connectors, remote controls, radios configured to operate with the MP3 player, chargers, protective cases for the MP3 player, carrying cases for the MP3 player, docking stations for the MP3 player, docking station adapters, athletic products that function with the MP3 player, clothing items configured to accept the MP3 player, display screen protectors, display screen enhancers, cleaning products for the MP3 player, tools for repairing the MP3 player, replacement parts and other items whose sale or function may be linked to the MP3 player.
Together, the top base plate 105, the pillar 110, the display plate 115, the right display region 120, the left display region 125 and the front display region 130 comprise the upper portion 101 of the display fixture 100. This upper portion 101 is configured to operatively connect with a bottom base plate 135 that allows the display fixture to be connected to the shelf 1000. In the embodiment of
The embodiment of
In a similar fashion to the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
A device 3030 may be operatively connected to the device mount 3010 using adhesive, screws, straps or other known mechanisms for connection. An opening 323, shown more clearly in the similar embodiment of
In other embodiments, the type and configuration of the anti-theft device 3000 may vary and the configuration of the display fixture 300 may vary accordingly. For example, if the anti-theft device 3000 employs a retractable cable instead of the coiled mount cable 3015 in
The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit embodiments of the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments discussed herein were chosen and described in order to explain the principles and the nature of various embodiments of the present invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the present invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Claims
1. A display fixture, comprising:
- a top base plate;
- a pillar operatively connected to the top base plate; and
- a display plate operatively connected to the pillar;
- wherein the display fixture is configured to define at least one associated item display region, the at least one associated item display region configured to display at least one item associated with a device to be displayed on the display fixture in a retail environment including at least one shelf, and wherein the display fixture is further configured to accept the device.
2. The display fixture of claim 1, wherein the at least one associated item display region comprises at least one hook.
3. The display fixture of claim 1, further comprising an anti-theft device mounting region configured to accept an anti-theft device.
4. The display fixture of claim 1, further comprising an anti-theft device operatively connected to the display fixture, wherein the anti-theft device is configured to operatively connect to a device to be displayed.
5. The display fixture of claim 1, further comprising:
- an anti-theft device mounting region configured to accept an anti-theft device; and
- an anti-theft device operatively connected to the display fixture in the anti-theft device mounting region, the anti-theft device including: an alarm; a device mount operatively connected to the alarm; and a device mount receptor configured to engage with the device mount and operatively connected to the device mount.
6. The display fixture of claim 1, wherein the at least one item associated with the device to be displayed on the display fixture is selected from the group consisting of gift cards for the purchase of music over the internet, headphones, headphone accessories, speakers, radio transmitters, audio output adapters, audio capture devices, cables, connectors, remote controls, radios configured to operate with an MP3 player, chargers, protective cases, carrying cases, docking stations, docking station adapters, athletic products that function with an MP3 player, clothing items configured to accept an MP3 player, display screen protectors, display screen enhancers, cleaning products for an MP3 player, tools for repairing an MP3 player, and replacement parts.
7. The display fixture of claim 1, wherein the at least one associated item display region comprises an arm including at least one hook.
8. The display fixture of claim 1, wherein the at least one associated item display region comprises a horizontal arm projecting away from the display plate including:
- a right display hook; and
- a left display hook;
- wherein the right display hook and left display hook are configured to connect to items associated with a device to be displayed.
9. The display fixture of claim 1, wherein the at least one associated item display region comprises two hooks projecting from the front of the display plate.
10. The display fixture of claim 1, wherein the at least one associated item display region comprises at least one hook configured to accept at least one card to be connected to the at least one hook.
11. The display fixture of claim 1, wherein the display fixture is further configured to operatively connect to a wire grid shelf.
12. The display fixture of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of bolts and nuts, the bolts and nuts configured to operatively engage each other to attach the display fixture to a shelf in a retail environment.
13. A method for displaying a device, comprising:
- providing a display fixture, including: a top base plate; a pillar operatively connected to the top base plate; and a display plate operatively connected to the pillar; wherein the display fixture is configured to define at least one associated item display region, the at least one associated item display region configured to display at least one item associated with the device to be displayed on the display fixture in a retail environment including at least one shelf, and wherein the display fixture is further configured to accept a device;
- operatively connecting a device to the display fixture; and
- operatively connecting at least one associated item to the at least one associated item display region.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one associated item display region comprises at least one hook.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the display fixture further comprises an anti-theft device mounting region configured to accept an anti-theft device.
16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
- operatively connecting an anti-theft device to the display fixture, the anti-theft device configured to connect a device to be displayed; and
- operatively connecting the anti-theft device to the device to be displayed.
17. A display fixture, comprising:
- a top base plate;
- a pillar operatively connected to the top base plate and projecting substantially upward from the surface of the top base plate; and
- a display plate operatively connected to the pillar including: a right associated item display region; a left associated item display region; and a front associated item display region;
- wherein the right associated item display region, the left associated item display region and the front associated item display region are each configured to display items associated with the device displayed, and wherein the display fixture is configured to accept a device.
18. The display fixture of claim 17, wherein the right associated item display region; the left associated item display region, and the front associated item display region each comprise at least one hook.
19. The display fixture of claim 17, further comprising an anti-theft device mounting region configured to accept an anti-theft device.
20. The display fixture of claim 17, further comprising an anti-theft device operatively connected to the display fixture, wherein the anti-theft device is configured to operatively connect to a device to be displayed.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 7, 2008
Publication Date: Sep 10, 2009
Applicant:
Inventor: James D. Karel (Bentonville, AR)
Application Number: 12/044,653
International Classification: A47F 7/00 (20060101);