Supports: racks – Adjustable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-08
2001-04-17
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Adjustable
C211S001570, C414S280000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216890
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a display for products, especially two-dimensional products, as for instance floor elements, tiles, etc.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
For storing and presenting products it is known to store the same for instance in cupboards, stands, etc. which have drawers, plates etc. which can be drawn out. If the customer wishes to see a corresponding product, for instance, a drawer containing the product is drawn out so that the product can be looked at by the customer.
Furthermore, it is known to store such products on a plurality of plates which can be moved in a kind of lift from storing positions into corresponding presentation positions by a moving mechanism. In this manner a plurality of products can be stored in a relatively tight space, and the desired product can be transferred into the presentation position by the actuation of the moving mechanism. By this, the height of a room can be better used for the storing of such products, and only a relatively small space is required for the real presentation of the product.
Of course, such products can also be disposed in a single manner one beside the other on corresponding tables, stands etc. for the presentation purposes. However, this kind of presentation has the great disadvantage that a large display floor area is required.
On the one side, the known presentation means require much space if they are to enable a comfortable and attractive presentation of the products, as is for instance the case with presentation tables stands etc., when they provide a relatively space-saving storage of the products, however, they have disadvantages with regard to the presentation of the products since there is little space for presentation and only an uncomfortable or less attractive presentation is possible for the customer.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a simply designed presentation unit of the cited kind which enables an especially space-saving storage and an especially attractive presentation of the products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention this problem is solved by a presentation means for products, especially two-dimensional products, as for instance floor elements, tiles etc., said presentation means comprising at least one stand having a plurality of supporting plates for storing the products to be presented in different heights, said supporting plates being positioned one above the other and horizontally movably, a platform adjacent to the stand and movable up and down, said platform having a means for catching a supporting plate and for moving the same onto/below the platform into a presentation position and back again into the stand, a drive means for carrying out the upward and downward movement of the platform, a drive means for the means for catching and moving the supporting plate and a manually operable control means for the drive means.
On the one hand, the inventive solution assures an especially space-saving storage of the products on a plurality of supporting plates in the stand provided herefor. On the other hand, it enables an especially attractive presentation of the products by means of the platform which is provided adjacent to the stand and which is movable up and down, i.e. from a presentation position for the products into a position in which it can receive a supporting plate for a certain selected product. The platform has a means with which the selected supporting plate situated in the stand is caught if the platform is in the corresponding position of reception. After having caught the supporting plate the means moves the same into a presentation position onto or below the platform, whereafter, if possible, a lowering or lifting of the platform is carried out in order to bring the selected product with the supporting plate to a height suitable for the observation by the customer.
Furthermore, the inventive presentation means has a manually operable control means for the drive means of the platform and for the drive means of the means for catching and moving the supporting plate. Accordingly, the customer can select a certain product within the stand through a certain characterizing code, for instance, and can set in operation the drive means through the input of a corresponding control command by means of the control means. By this, the platform is moved into the corresponding position of reception for the supporting plate of the selected product, whereafter the drive means of the means for catching and moving the supporting plate is operated. Then, the supporting plate is removed from the stand and is moved onto/below the platform, whereafter the same, if necessary, is lowered or lifted into the position of presentation.
Accordingly, the inventive means enables an especially attractive form of presentation of the product which can be moved by the customer himself into a position in which he can not only see but also touch the product. The platform can be even moved into a position in which the customer can set his foot on. This is of especial importance for two-dimensional products, as floor elements, tiles etc. In spite of this form of presentation which is very favorable for the customer the concept of storing a plurality of products in closest space is not left. Moreover, the means can be handled in a simple manner, i.e. the customer himself can ask for the desired products from the storing stand, can transfer the desired products into the position of presentation and can transfer the same back into the stand.
An especially preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized by the feature that the presentation means includes two stands and that the platform is disposed between the two stands. Here it is possible to dispose products from both stands on the platform in a corresponding position of presentation through corresponding supporting plates. Accordingly, in this embodiment the platform has either two means for catching and moving supporting plates from the two stands or a single means which is provided with two elements for catching a respective supporting plate from a respective stand.
Another preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized by the feature that the platform is additionally pivotable. By this embodiment the products to be presented can not only be presented in a horizontal position but also in an inclined position or a vertical position. Of course, a corresponding drive means causing the pivoting process is controllable by means of the provided control means. Preferably, the platform is pivoted about a fictitious axis which extends parallel with regard to the front side of the stand or of the stands. Of course, according to this embodiment the supporting plates are arrested on the platform in a suitable manner in order to prevent that they slide off the platform during the pivoting process.
The platform is appropriately divided into an underframe and a cover plate wherein at least one actuating cylinder for pivoting the cover plate is provided between the underframe and the cover plate. Then, the extending and withdrawing of the piston-rod of the at least one actuating cylinder is controlled by means of the control means.
The means for catching and moving the supporting plate is preferably formed as carriage disposed at or in the platform. This carriage has at least one gripping member with which the supporting plate in the stand can be caught. By the movement of the carriage in the plane of the platform the supporting plate with the product is removed from the stand and is positioned onto the platform in the presentation position. By movement in reverse direction the carriage transfers the supporting plate back again into the corresponding compartment of the stand. The gripping means is removed from the supporting plate, and the carriage moves back again into its initial position in which the platform can be moved up and down for searching another supporting plate.
The supporting plates are preferably movabley supported by means of rollers in/on rails or t
Dubno Herbert
Novosad Jennifer E.
Stodola Daniel P.
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