Supports: racks – Specially mounted – Wall or window
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-24
2001-02-27
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Specially mounted
Wall or window
C211S103000, C211S189000, C211S090020, C211S090040
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193083
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to a display fixture. More particularly, the invention pertains to a readily installed display fixture system that can be wall mounted or free-standing such as those used in retail establishments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Display systems are well known in the art. These systems can be used, for example, for retail display of various items such as clothing and the like. Consumers will likely recognize such systems which often include shelves for displaying merchandise and hangers from which items can be displayed or hung. These displays can also include partitions and the like for segregating one particular type of merchandise from another.
One known type of wall display system includes a plurality of vertically oriented, spaced upright posts mounted to the surface or wall. The posts typically include a plurality of evenly spaced elongated slots extending longitudinally therealong. Brackets having hook-like projections extending from a rear end insert into the elongated slots and lock to the posts. The brackets can be used to support shelving, signs, desk surfaces and the like.
One drawback to this type of system is that each of the vertical posts must be separately or independently mounted to the wall surface. While this type of arrangement has gained wide-spread acceptance, it leaves much room for error in layout or design and installation. For example, if adjacent posts are not properly spaced from one another, a shelf that is intended to extend between the posts may be too long or too short for the given installed spacing. In addition, when installing such systems, the height of corresponding slots from one post to an adjacent post must be properly maintained, or the shelf may not rest horizontally planar on the brackets.
Another type of shelving system includes a grid-like arrangement that is mounted to the wall surface. The grid-like arrangement includes a plurality of horizontally extending bars, onto which brackets are attached. While this arrangement overcomes some of the above-noted problems associated with the independent post type of arrangement, the grid-like configuration can be quite large and bulky and, as will be recognized, rather heavy as well. Additionally, the grid-like arrangement, like the independent post arrangement, requires that the grid be mounted to the wall at a large number of locations.
Still another type of display fixture system includes a plurality of essentially free-standing U-shaped vertical standards or uprights. Each of the U-shaped uprights includes a pair of parallel elements, to which shelves and the like can be attached. Although this arrangement provides a significant amount of display space, it is free-standing, and is therefore subject to the instability associated with many such free-standing systems.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a readily installed display fixture system that is wall mounted or free-standing. Desirably, such a system can be readily installed on any flat wall surface, and is secured to the surface using a minimum number of fasteners. Another desirable system is free standing. Most desirably, such a system eliminates the possibility of improperly spacing the vertical uprights from one another and provides adjustability of the vertical support risers to maintain spanning elements, such as shelves, horizontal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A display fixture system includes upper and lower, spaced apart, parallel horizontal brackets for mounting to an associated surface. Each bracket has a securing location that corresponds to a securing location of the other bracket. The brackets are mounted to the surface so that corresponding securing locations are vertically aligned with one another.
Support risers extend between and are secured to the brackets. The risers secure between the brackets vertically, transverse to the brackets and spaced from the wall surface. The risers mount to the upper and lower brackets at securing locations on the brackets.
The display system is configured to support product display elements, such as shelves, display surfaces, signs and hangers to, for example, hang clothing, as well as other types of display ornamentation. The system is flexible and sufficiently versatile that using standard posts and brackets, custom displays can be designed and installed quickly and efficiently, with a minimum number of wall fasteners required.
Each of the support posts inserts into corresponding upper and lower bracket securing locations. The support posts are preferably formed having a central support member, such as a tubular element and a pair of longitudinally extending flanges. Pins insert through transverse openings in the support posts and are fastened to the posts and to the flanges to secure the flanges to the posts. In a most preferred configuration, an upper end of each support post includes a threaded bore or insert to facilitate securing the post to the upper bracket.
The upper and lower brackets each include an opening and a pair of elongated slots disposed on either side of the opening for receiving a support post. The flanges insert into the elongated slots and the post inserts through a relatively large opening in the lower flange. A threaded fastener, such as a bolt, is inserted through the opening in the upper bracket and threadedly engages the insert or bore in the post to secure the post to the upper bracket.
In a most preferred embodiment, the support posts each include a height adjusting element, such as a threaded foot for resting the support post on the floor, and to provide height adjustment so that each support post is vertically aligned with its adjacent posts.
The pins that extend from the support posts to the flanges are configured to receive brackets and other hanging elements for hanging shelves, signs, garment hangers, table tops and the like, as well as other types of display ornamentation. Optionally, the display system can include wall panels that mount to the upper and lower brackets, between adjacent support posts. In one embodiment, the panels include fixed lower pins that extend from a bottom edge of the panel frame and biased upper pins that extend from an upper edge of the panel that insert into openings formed in the upper and lower brackets, respectively.
Another embodiment of the invention is configured as a display fixture system which, when mounted to an associated surface, includes upper and lower spaced apart, parallel horizontal brackets for mounting to the surface. Each bracket has a securing locating corresponding to a securing location of the other of the pair of brackets. The brackets are mounted to the surface so that corresponding securing locations are vertically aligned with one another.
A support post extends between and is secured to the brackets. The support post is secured between the brackets in a vertical orientation, transverse to the brackets and spaced from the surface. Each support post includes a support element and a plurality of pins traversing through the support element. Each post further includes a pair of flanges, each extending along a side of the support element and configured to maintain the pins positioned within the support posts. In a preferred embodiment, the support element is formed as a U-shaped member having a pair of elongated leg portions and defining an open end. The flanges are connected to one another by a connecting portion that extends across the open end of the support element. Most preferably, each flange has a portion spaced from and parallel to its respective support element leg portion. In this configuration, the support post flanges secure the pins within the support element.
The upper and lower brackets can include openings therein and the support posts can include upper and lower caps having aligning pins extending therefrom. The aligning pins extend into the openings in the upper and lower brackets to maintain the posts in a vertical orientation and to maintain the posts spatially separated from one another.
Alternately, the display fixture system can be c
Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
Stamford Investments, Inc.
Welsh & Katz Ltd.
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