Label enlarging device
A magnification device for attachment to store merchandise shelving for magnifying merchandise labeling information including an optical magnification member; a bracket for attachment to merchandise shelving; the optical magnification member being attached to the bracket. A connector is preferably provided connecting the magnification member to the bracket and preferably allows the magnification member to be moved into one of a plurality of positions to enable the magnification member to be provided into a position allowing the merchandise labeling to be displayed.
This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/234,419 filed Sep. 21, 2000 and entitled “LABEL ENLARGER”, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to magnifying devices, and in particular, it relates to a magnifying device for printed matter, such as labels.
In consumer sales establishments such as shopping centers and supermarkets, there is a need to aid customers with eyesight problems to read labeling materials, for example, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation nutritional and ingredient labels for food and other labels for products typically purchased in stores. A large portion of the general public is becoming older, sometimes referred to as the aging of the baby boom generation. Additionally, consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about food ingredients and seek the information of the labels to make an educated purchase decision. However, the information on the labels is usually very small and hard to read. The present invention is directed to providing a device for magnification of such labels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention includes a magnification member that instantly enlarges the content of a label when the product label is positioned on the opposing side of the device, making it easy to read without eye strain. The magnification member may comprise a magnification sheet or lens, for example, a Fresnel lens or any other appropriate magnification device. The device according to the invention may be easily and permanently affixed to store shelving making it accessible to customers. The device of the invention may also have an area for brand name or logo imprints or advertising information thus making it a medium for advertising.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.
The invention will be described in greater detail in the following detailed description with reference to the drawings in which:
With reference to the drawings, the label enlarging device is shown generally by reference numeral 10. In
The device 10 is preferably pivotable on the shaft 20 and/or the shaft 20 may be pivotable in the brackets 22. This will facilitate rotation of the device 10 out of the way of the aisle when the consumer is not using the device. To use the device, the consumer height and rotation the device 10 at an appropriate height and amount of rotation and moves an item to be viewed behind lens 26, so that the label is enlarged allowing the consumer to read the label. The device 10 of
Because the device is used by consumers, the lenses 26 are preferably made of a suitable plastic material so they will not easily break.
Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention should be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A magnification device for attachment to store merchandise shelving for magnifying merchandise labeling information comprising:
- an optical magnification member;
- a bracket for attachment to merchandise shelving, the optical magnification member being attached to the bracket;
- further comprising a connector connecting the magnification member to the bracket;
- further comprising a holder for the magnification member, and wherein the connector connects the holder for the magnification member to the bracket; and
- wherein the connector comprises a shaft, the holder including an aperture therethrough through which the shaft is mounted enabling the holder to pivotally mount on the shaft.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the holder is slidable on the shaft.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the shaft is rotatable in the bracket.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein two brackets are provided with one end of the shaft provided in each bracket.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the magnifying member is a circular lens.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the holder for the magnification member is coupled to the bracket via a hinge.
7. A magnification device for attachment to store merchandise shelving for magnifying merchandise labeling information comprising:
- an optical magnification member;
- a bracket for attachment to merchandise shelving, the optical magnification member attached to the bracket; and
- further comprising a connector comprising a shaft connecting the magnification member to the bracket;
- wherein the connector includes a swivel joint connecting the shaft to the bracket.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the swivel joint comprises a ball and socket joint.
9. A magnification device for attachment to store merchandise shelving for magnifying merchandise labeling information comprising:
- an optical magnification member;
- a bracket for attachment to merchandise shelving, the optical magnification member being attached to the bracket;
- further comprising a connector connecting the magnification member to the bracket;
- further comprising a holder for the magnification member, and wherein the connector connects the holder for the magnification member to the bracket; and
- wherein the connector comprises a shaft disposable in an opening provided in the bracket.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the shaft is slidable in the opening in the bracket.
11. The device of claim 9, wherein the connector is removable from the bracket so that the magnification member held by the holder can be removed from the bracket and held by hand.
12. The device of claim 9, wherein the shaft is removable from the bracket so that the magnification member held by the holder can be removed from the bracket and held by hand.
13. The device of claim 9, further comprising a coupling member connected between the holder and the bracket.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the coupling member comprises a flexible member.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein the flexible member comprises a chain or string.
16. A magnification device for attachment to store merchandise shelving for magnifying merchandise labeling information comprising:
- an optical magnification member;
- a bracket for attachment to merchandise shelving, the optical magnification member being attached to the bracket;
- further comprising a connector connecting the magnification member to the bracket; and
- wherein the connector comprises a flexible arm that maintains its position when moved.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein the connector allows the magnification member to be moved into one of a plurality of positions to enable the magnification member to be provided into a position allowing the merchandise labeling to be displayed.
18. The device of claim 16, wherein the magnification member comprises a generally planar lens.
19. The device of claim 16, wherein the magnification member comprises a generally planar plastic lens.
20. The device of claim 16, wherein the magnification member comprises a generally planar plastic Fresnel lens.
21. The device of claim 16, further comprising a holder comprising a frame for the magnification member.
22. The device of claim 21, wherein the frame has an area for graphical or written material.
23. A magnification device for attachment to store merchandise shelving for magnifying merchandise labeling information comprising:
- an optical magnification member;
- a bracket for attachment to merchandise shelving, the optical magnification member being attached to the bracket; and
- wherein the bracket comprises an adjustable clamp for clamping to the merchandise shelving.
24. A magnification device for attachment to store merchandise shelving to magnify merchandise labeling information, the magnification device comprising:
- an optical magnification member to magnify the merchandise labeling information;
- a bracket configured to be attached to the merchandise shelving for removably holding the optical magnification member; and
- a flexible connector coupled to the optical member and to the bracket, the flexible connector having a length and being incapable of maintaining a fixed position without external support;
- wherein the optical member is usable in a plurality of first positions when the optical member is held by the bracket and in a plurality of second positions limited only by the length of the flexible connector when the optical member is removed from the bracket.
25. The magnification device of claim 24, wherein the flexible connector includes a chain.
26. The magnification device of claim 24, wherein the flexible connector includes twine.
27. A magnification device for attachment to store merchandise shelving to magnify merchandise labeling information, the magnification device comprising:
- an optical magnification member to magnify the merchandise labeling information;
- a bracket configured to be attached to the merchandise shelving for removably holding the optical magnification member; and
- a chain coupled to the optical member and to the bracket to prevent the optical magnification member from being one of lost and dropped to a floor,
- wherein the optical member is usable in a plurality of first positions when the optical member is held by the bracket and in a plurality of second positions limited only by the length of the chain when the optical member is removed from the bracket.
28. A magnification device for attachment to store merchandise shelving to magnify merchandise labeling information, the magnification device comprising:
- an optical magnification member to magnify the merchandise labeling information;
- a bracket configured to be attached to the merchandise shelving for removably holding the optical magnification member; and
- twine coupled to the optical member and to the bracket to prevent the optical magnification member from being one of lost and dropped to a floor,
- wherein the optical member is usable in a plurality of first positions when the optical member is held by the bracket and in a plurality of second positions limited only by the length of the twine when the optical member is removed from the bracket.
29. A magnification device for attachment to store merchandise shelving having at least one track for receiving price label information, and for magnifying merchandise labeling information, the magnification device comprising:
- an optical magnification member;
- a bracket for attachment to the merchandise shelving for removably holding the optical magnification member and enabling the optical magnification member to be used in a plurality of first positions when held by the bracket;
- further comprising a flexible connector connecting the magnification member to the bracket, the flexible connector preventing the magnification member from being lost or dropped to the floor when the magnification member is removed from the bracket and enabling the optical magnification member to be used in a plurality of second positions when removed from the bracket; and
- wherein said bracket comprises a fixture adapted to couple to a track of the merchandise shelving so as to thereby attach the bracket to the merchandise shelving.
30. A magnification device for attachment to store merchandise shelving having at least one track for receiving price label information, and for magnifying merchandise labeling information, the magnification device comprising:
- an optical magnification member;
- a bracket for attachment to the merchandise shelving for removably holding the optical magnification member;
- further comprising a flexible connector connecting the optical magnification member to the bracket, the flexible connector having a length and being incapable of maintaining a fixed position without external support;
- wherein the optical magnification member is usable in a plurality of first positions when the optical member is held by the bracket and in a plurality of second positions limited only by the length of the flexible connector when the optical member is removed from the bracket; and
- wherein said bracket comprises a fixture adapted to couple to a track of the merchandise shelving so as to thereby attach the bracket to the merchandise shelving.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Dec 22, 2003
Date of Patent: Apr 20, 2010
Assignee: Christine Giampavolo and Paul Giampavolo (Budd Lake, NJ)
Inventors: Paul Giampavolo (Fairfield, NJ), Christine Giampavolo (Fairfield, NJ)
Primary Examiner: David N Spector
Attorney: Ostrolenk Faber LLP
Application Number: 10/744,895
International Classification: G02B 27/02 (20060101); G02B 7/02 (20060101);