Supports: racks – Specially mounted – Wall or window
Reexamination Certificate
1997-04-01
2001-03-13
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Specially mounted
Wall or window
C211S189000, C211S103000, C248S220410, C248S220420
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199706
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to merchandising display assemblies and, more particularly, to a merchandising display structure which is securable to a vertical support surface and which includes an elongated display member attached to one or more horizontally extending members and being spaced a distance from the vertical support, the display member being capable of supporting volumes of smaller sized merchandise.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Shelving structures and related display units for displaying merchandise are a common sight in any type of store or commercial establishment. The desire of any merchant is and always has been to maximize the available shelf or display capacity within the limited confines of the store. Vertically extending pegboard surfaces are particularly effective for displaying small, high volume merchandise on hooks and other horizontally extending fasteners.
Applicant's prior application, U.S. Ser. No. 08/599,407, filed Nov. 26, 1995, discloses a merchandising display assembly which may be mounted to a vertical support surface. The support surface in the preferred embodiment is a conventional pegboard surface having a number of apertures formed therethrough. First and second elongated arms are connected together in an axially adjustable manner and a planar support portion is attached to a first elongated arms and includes projecting fmger portions which engage within selected apertures in the pegboard support surface. An elongated display member is attached to a free end of the second elongated arm, upon which are mounted pluralities of hooks or other hangers for supporting volumes of small sized packaged merchandise.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,167, issued to Menaged et al., teaches a merchandising display system for a gondola merchandising display unit. The display assembly includes first and second integrally formed cantilever members which are interconnected by an otherwise free standing vertical member and the cantilever members are further capable of securing to an upright support member of the gondola display unit. The free standing vertical member is formed to include a plurality of apertures adapted to receive peg members for holding individual volumes of merchandise. While teaching a useful display system, Menaged does not permit for any range of telescoping or axial readjustment of the cantilever members or free standing vertical members to accommodate differing spacing requirements in an aisle or walkway.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,064, issued to Cowe, teaches a golf bag and accessory cradle which may be placed within a vehicle trunk and includes a base with a pair of vertically adjustable supports terminating in upwardly facing and rounded end brackets which conforms to the shape of a golf bag. Cowe does not however teach any form of vertically extending and engaging member for supporting volumes of merchandise.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,677,415, issued to Radek, teaches a cantilever merchandise support including an article supporting hanger bar or bracket which is adapted to be attached to a perforated board or panel by a plurality of legs extending from a mounting plate. The hanger bar or bracket portion is in each instance an integrally formed single piece which is mounted to extend outwardly from the vertical surface and upon which the merchandise is supported. The disadvantage of cantilevered merchandise supports such as those taught by Radek is that their merchandise carrying capacity is limited to the bar or bracket portion. The axial length which such supports extend is likewise limited such that they are unable to utilize to any great extent the air space extending from the pegboard or other surface for displaying merchandise.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,954, issued to Merl, discloses an adjustable display arm assembly securable to a vertical support structure which includes a pair of nesting segments selectively adjustable at longitudinal positions to establish an overall length of the display arm. The Merl device is somewhat of an improvement over Radek in that the display arm can be extended outward a greater horizontal distance, however its merchandise carrying ability is still limited to the display arm itself and it does not include any additional bracketry for carrying large volumes of merchandise.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention is an improved and telescopable merchandising display assembly which may be mounted to a vertical mounting surface, the support surface being in the preferred embodiment either a conventional pegboard surface, a slat wall surface or a form of a slotted upright surface. At least one horizontally extending arm is provided and includes first and second elongated portions which are axially adjustable and preferably tubular shaped and telescopingly mounted to permit a user to modify an overall length of the arm. A support surface engaging portion is attached to a free end of the first elongated portion and is engaged within a selected one of the vertical mounting surfaces to mount the arm in a horizontally extending fashion relative the vertical surface.
An elongated display member is attached to a free end of the at least one second elongated portion and extends parallel and at a spaced distance from the vertical support surface. A plurality of apertures are formed along the length of the display member at spaced apart intervals which are designed to receive hooks or other conventional hangers for supporting large volumes of small sized packaged merchandise. The advantage of the display member is that it can support small, high volume merchandise a spaced distance from the pegboard or other vertical surface without obscuring other additional items displayed on the vertical board or shelf surface. The overall advantage of the present invention is that it greatly increases the merchandise display capacity of such a conventional display structure by utilizing to a much greater extent the unused air space in the area in front of the display surface.
In further preferred embodiments, a pair of horizontally extending members may be provided which are separately attached to and which extend in parallel fashion from the display surface. The members attach to a display member extending therebetween at corresponding outer ends. The display arm supported by two horizontal members may be longer in length to accommodate additional product and may be arranged to extend in either a horizontal or vertical fashion as desired. The display arm may also itself be formed as two or more telescoping portions to either reduce or increase its overall length and a spring clip fastener may likewise be utilized with apertures formed in the sections to establish a given display arm length.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5505319 (1996-04-01), Todd
patent: 5657884 (1997-08-01), Zilincar
patent: 5660286 (1997-08-01), Shea
patent: 5678702 (1997-10-01), Menaged et al.
Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
Gifford, Krass, Groh Sprinkle, Anderson & Citkowski, P.C.
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