Multi-Level Product Display Device

Abstract

A display device for presenting product in a hanging orientation includes a plurality of hanging locations spaced apart from each other both laterally and longitudinally. The longitudinal spacing of the hanging locations provides for a layered display of product, while the lateral spacing of the hanging locations provides for the arrangement of products of varying sizes. In some embodiments, the hanging locations are also spaced apart from each other vertically. The vertical spacing of the hanging locations provides for a cascading display of product. The display device is designed to be coupled to and supported by a display fixture.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a display device. More particularly, this invention relates to a device for displaying product for sale in a retail environment in a hanging orientation and a layered arrangement. The device is intended to be coupled with a display fixture and may be of the type that cooperates with a peg board of a fixture.

In retail environments, product is often displayed in a hanging orientation. Prior art displays provide for the use of product hangers that are spaced apart from one another depending on the size of the product being displayed. The number of products that can be displayed, however, is generally based on a factor of their size and the linear footage or square footage area available for product of a particular type. Related items are often, at best, displayed in close proximity to each other and are spaced longitudinally apart from one another.

In one example, the present invention could be used in connection with displaying gift bags and related products, such as tissue paper, ribbons and trim. Conventional methods of gift bag merchandising often used in retail environments fail to maximize product density and do not present the bags with a variety of product options that may be potentially bundled therewith by the consumer. Bag width is the primary factor for determining the amount of unique product designs that can be displayed and bag height limits the amount of bags that can be displayed in a full facing arrangement. Attempts to increase product density have generally resulted in an overlapping and water falling arrangement that presents a centered justified display.

The present invention provides a universal merchandise display device capable of displaying a plurality of unique products of various sizes in one merchandisable location to maximize product density and improve the shopping experience for consumers and retailers. The device uses a plurality of elements or hooks of varying lengths that are arrayed to present product as a collection or a system of complimentary product components, such as a bags with bows, ribbons and other accessories. The elements, which could also be referred to as product hangers, have defined product hanging locations thereon to present product in a tiered arrangement. This allows items of various sizes to be displayed as collections or otherwise grouped according to size, color, design, complimentary products etc. and presented in a uniform fashion. The device also allows for the right or left justification in a layered and tiered arrangement of product. Such an arrangement not only provides increased visual options but can be used to provide greater product exposure on one side of the product when compared to the traditional centered justification where product exposure is divided onto two sides.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The features of the invention noted above are explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, in which FIGS. 1-10 illustrate several possible embodiments of the present invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-level product display device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the display device being received in a fixture and supporting product for display;

FIG. 2 is a front side elevation view of a plurality of display devices of FIG. 1 received on a fixture and displaying product;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the display device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a right side elevation view of the display device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of one of the display devices of FIG. 2 taken along the line 5-5;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the display device of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view of the display device of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the display device of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the display device of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a right side elevation view of the display device of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in more detail and initially to FIG. 1, numeral 10 generally designates a multi-level product display device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The display device 10 includes a plurality of elements 12 coupled together via a connecting member 14. The display device 10 is to be coupled with a display fixture 16 by way of attachment means 18 that is coupled with the connecting member 14 and is designed to support, in a hanging orientation, product 20 of various sizes for sale in a retail environment.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a first embodiment of the display device 10. In this illustrated embodiment, the display device 10 has three elements 12, which will be referenced as a first element 22, a second element 24 and a third element 26. The elements 12 are generally sideways, U-shaped components that have an upper prong 28 and a lower prong 30. The elements 12, as well as the connecting member 14 and the attachment means 18, are all preferably formed from metal wire or rod stock which has been bent into the desired and illustrated orientation and welded together. It should be readily understood, however, by one of ordinary skill in the art, that the display device 10 could be formed of material other than metal (e.g., plastic, wood, etc.) and from other than bent wire (e.g., molded or preformed parts).

The lower prongs 30 have a proximal end 32 and a distal end 34. To prevent product 20 from accidentally sliding off of the lower prong 30, the lower prong 30 is preferably provided with an upwardly cantered portion 36 adjacent the distal end 34. Each lower prong 30 is also provided with a designated hanging location 38 where product 20 is intended to be suspended therefrom. In that regard, product 20 may be provided with a hang tab 40 that is secured thereto and includes an aperture 42 therethrough for receiving the lower prong 30 therethrough in a manner well known in the art.

Each hanging location 38 is preferably defined on its forward end by the upwardly cantered portion 38 and at its rearward end by a vertical stop portion 44. In the first and second elements 22, 24, the vertical stop portion 44 takes the form of a vertical displacement 46 somewhere along the lower prong 30 intermediate the proximal and distal ends 32, 34. In the third element 26, the vertical stop portion 44 takes the form of the bottom of the U-shape of the third element 26 that moves vertically upwardly to couple the upper and lower prongs 28, 30.

The inclusion of the vertical stop portions 44 on the lower prongs 30 help define an intended rearward termination of each hanging location 38. This arrangement, coupled with longitudinal displacement of the respective hanging locations 38, provides for the ability to hang product of differing sizes in the same linear display space by way of a layered front to back arrangement of product 20 to increase product density. Stated another way, the hanging locations 38 are spaced from one another both longitudinally (i.e. front to back) and laterally (i.e. side to side). In certain embodiments, such as a first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the hanging locations 38 are also spaced from one another vertically. This allows for a cascading display of product 20 of differing sizes, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The vertical stop portions 44 of the first and second elements 22, 24 prevent product 20 that is hung thereon from moving rearward into the lateral space that is to be occupied by the product on the adjacent element 12. This not only allows larger items to be hung towards the rear of the display device 10, but also allows for the display of product 20 in a left (as illustrated) or right justified arrangement, as opposed to the traditional standard center justified display, to increase the amount of product exposure in one area (e.g., the right side or the left side).

The upper prongs 28 of the elements 12 are generally parallel to and vertically coplanar with the majority of the lower prong 30. Consequently, the elements 12 lie in vertical planes that are generally parallel to each other. The upper prongs 28 preferably terminate at a forward most or distal end 48 with a face plate 50 for receiving product identifying indicia (e.g., labels including product name, price, bar codes, etc.).

The connecting member 14 is illustrated in the first embodiment as a horizontal rod like member that is transverse to the elements 12. The elements are connected thereto and are suspended therefrom in a cantilevered arrangement. Ends 52 of the connecting member 14 have been bent rearwardly and upwardly to provide the attachment means 18. In the first embodiment, the attachment means 18 is pegs or hooks 54 that are to be received in mounting holes 56 in a panel 58 of the display fixture 16. The panel 58 in the illustrated embodiment is commonly referred to in the industry as peg board. While the attachment means 18 in the first embodiment is disclosed as connecting via the hooks 54 coupling with the panel 58 in a peg board arrangement, many other attachment means are known in the art and would be within the scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a second embodiment of a display device 10 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the hanging locations 38 are still spaced from one another both laterally and longitudinally, as well as horizontally (FIG. 7). In this embodiment, the elements 12 do not include the upper prongs 28 and, while the front of the hanging locations 38 are still defined by the upwardly cantered end portions 36, the rear of the hanging locations 38 are defined by a horizontal stop portion 60.

The second element 24 does not depend directly from the connecting member 14, but instead is directly coupled to the lower prong 30 of the first element 22. Also, a different attachment means 18 is provided. In that regard, the attachment means 18 takes the form of an upside down U-shaped channel 62 that provides for the display device 10 to be coupled with a display fixture (not shown) by placing the channel 62 over a horizontal bracket (not shown) of the display fixture.

FIG. 8 illustrates a third embodiment of the display device of the present invention. The third embodiment still includes first, second and third elements 22, 24, 26 having hanging locations 38 thereon that are spaced apart from one another both laterally and longitudinally, as well as vertically. As with the second embodiment, the upper prongs 30 of the elements 12 are missing in the third embodiment. The hanging locations 38 are still defined at a forward end by an upwardly cantered portion 36 and at a rearward end by a vertical stop portion 44. The distal end 34 of the first element 22 discloses an alternate embodiment of the upwardly cantered portion 36. Other methods of preventing bags from sliding off the distal ends 34 of the elements 12 are known and are within the scope of the present invention. Such examples include stops, notches, recesses, bins, tabs, etc.

The connecting member 14 of the third embodiment includes a plurality of notches 64 across an upper periphery 66 thereof. A pair of flanges 68 extend rearwardly from the connecting member 14 and include a plurality of aligned apertures 70 therethrough. Proximate ends 32 of the lower prongs 30 are turned vertically downward and are received in the apertures 70 to connect the elements 12 to the connecting member 14. A portion of the lower prongs 30 is then received in a notch 64 to prevent lateral movement. This arrangement permits lateral adjustment or spacing of the elements 12 to control the distance between the elements 12 to accommodate product 20 of varying sizes. The attachment means 18 takes the form of a horizontal C-shaped channel 72 that receives an edge of a portion of a display fixture, such as a shelf.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a fourth embodiment of a display device 10 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the elements 12 are uniform in size and shape. However, to provide for the desired lateral and longitudinal spacing, the connecting member 14 takes the form of a V-shaped support frame 74. The support frame 74 has both an upper rod 76 and a lower rod 78. The rods 76, 78 are generally parallel to each other and are essentially the same shape. The upper rod 76, however, terminates at its proximal end 80 with a pair of upwardly turned pegs or hooks 54 to provide the attachment means 18 for coupling the display device 10 to the display fixture 16.

In use, any of the embodiments of the display device 10 are coupled with the display fixture 16 via the attachment means 18. Product 20 is then placed on the display device 10 such that it hangs from the hanging locations 38 of the elements 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the larger products 20 are hung on the rearward most hanging location 38, which, in this instance, is on the third element 26. The display device 10, with its multiple hanging locations 38, provides the ability to group products 20 in a coordinated fashion to assist with the shopping and selection process. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display device 10 has been stocked with coordinated product in the form of tissue paper 82, a gift bag 84 and a gift tag or trim 86. These items may be color coordinated or have similar designs so that a user may quickly grab all of the items needed to create a complete package without being required to go to separate locations to find coordinated product 20. The various product 20 can be in any orientation, provided the product 20 on one hanging location 38 does not obscure from view product hung on a more rearward hanging location 38. For example, the tissue paper 82 could be folded up and packaged smaller such that it would be placed on the middle hanging location 38 and the gift bags moved to the rearward most hanging location 38, which is on the third element 26.

Many variations can be made to the illustrated embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. Such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the hanging locations 38 can be arranged such that they all lie in the same horizontal plane. Further, while the distal ends 34 of the lower prongs 30 have been shown with an upwardly cantered portion 38, the distal ends 34 can be bent sideways to provide side loading product hangers instead of front loading product hangers. Additionally, a display device may be made with only two elements or any greater number of elements 12, as necessitated by the product 20 to be displayed. Further still, in an alternate embodiment, the connecting member 14 could be omitted and each of the elements 22, 24, 26 be individual pieces that are hooked directly to the display fixture 16 in a spaced relationship to accomplish the same desired result. Other modifications would be within the scope of the present invention.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with the other advantages which are clear following the complete disclosure above and which are inherent to the methods and apparatuses described herein. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the invention.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention, and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A multi-level product display device comprising:

a first element having a first hanging location;

a second element having a second hanging location; and

a connecting member for coupling the first element with the second element;

wherein the first hanging location is spaced apart from the second hanging location both laterally and longitudinally.

2. The display device of claim 1, wherein both hanging locations are defined at a rearward end by a vertical stop.

3. The display device of claim 2, wherein both hanging locations are defined at a forward end by an upwardly cantered end portion.

4. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a third element having a third hanging location, wherein the first, second, and third hanging locations are spaced apart from each other both laterally and longitudinally.

5. The display device of claim 4, wherein the first, second, and third hanging locations are also spaced apart from each other horizontally.

6. The display device of claim 1, wherein the first hanging location is further spaced apart from the second hanging location horizontally.

7. The display device of claim 1, wherein both the first and second elements are generally sideways U-shaped hook members having an upper prong and a lower prong, wherein the upper prongs are generally parallel to the lower prongs, wherein the upper prongs and the lower prongs are generally coplanar, and wherein the hook members are cantilevered from the connecting member.

8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the lower prongs terminate at a distal end with an upwardly cantered end portion and wherein the upper prongs terminate at a distal end with a face plate for receiving product identifying indicia.

9. The display device of claim 8, wherein both hanging locations are on the lower prongs and are defined at a rearward end by a vertical stop.

10. The display device of claim 9, wherein the elements and the connecting member are formed from wire and wherein the elements and connecting member are welded together.

11. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a means for attaching the display device to a display fixture.

12. A display device for supporting hanging product in a layered arrangement, the display device adapted for coupling with a fixture, the display device comprising:

a first generally sideways U-shaped element having an upper prong and a lower prong, the lower prong having a vertical displacement therein, an upwardly cantered distal end portion, and a first hanging location intermediate the vertical displacement and the distal end portion;

a second generally sideways U-shaped element having an upper prong and a lower prong, the lower prong having a vertical displacement therein, an upwardly cantered distal end portion, and a second hanging location intermediate the vertical displacement and the distal end portion; and

a connecting member for coupling the first and second elements, wherein the first and second elements are generally perpendicular to the connecting member, wherein the first and second elements are spaced laterally from each other, and wherein the distal end portion of the second hanging location is longitudinally rearward of the vertical displacement of first hanging location.

13. The display device of claim 12, further comprising a third generally sideways U-shaped element having an upper prong and a lower prong, the lower prong having an upwardly cantered distal end portion and a third hanging location rearward of the distal end portion, wherein the first, second, and third hanging locations are spaced apart from each other laterally, and wherein the distal end portion of the third hanging location is longitudinally rearward of the vertical displacement of second hanging location.

14. The display device of claim 13, wherein the first, second, and third hanging locations are also spaced apart from each other horizontally.

15. The display device of claim 12, wherein the upper prongs terminate at a distal end with a face plate for receiving product identifying indicia.

16. The display device of claim 12, wherein the connecting member further includes hooks for receipt in holes in the fixture.

17. A display device for supporting hanging product in a layered arrangement, the display device adapted for coupling with a fixture, the display device comprising:

first, second, and third generally sideways U-shaped elements having an upper prong and a lower prong, the lower prongs having an upwardly cantered distal end portion and hanging location rearwardly thereof, wherein the hanging locations are defined at their rearward ends by a vertical stop, wherein the first, second and third elements each lie in a vertical plane, wherein the vertical planes are generally parallel, wherein the elements are spaced apart laterally, and wherein the hanging locations are spaced apart longitudinally; and

a connecting member for coupling the elements, wherein the connecting member is generally perpendicular to the vertical planes and wherein the elements are connected to the connecting member adjacent rearward ends of the elements, whereby the elements are in a cantilevered arrangement.

18. The display device of claim 17, wherein the first, second, and third hanging locations are also spaced apart from each other horizontally.

19. The display device of claim 17, wherein the upper prongs terminate at a distal end with a face plate for receiving product identifying indicia.

20. The display device of claim 17, further comprising a means for attaching the display device to the fixture.