Supports: racks – Specially mounted – Wall or window
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-05
2001-05-22
Wilkens, Janet M. (Department: 3636)
Supports: racks
Specially mounted
Wall or window
C040S750000, C040S649000, C312S138100, C312S234300, C016S365000, C016S346000, C211S134000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234329
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to display devices and, more particularly, to a display unit for mounting to a merchandise storage and sales unit including a frame receivable of a graphics card or display element, and a storage unit incorporating the same. The display unit is designed to cover a storage space in the storage unit when the frame is in an access-preventing position and enable access to the storage space when the frame is in a lockable access-enabling position, e.g., to facilitate the transfer of objects from the storage space to an exposed sales space of the storage and sales unit. The frame is designed to enable easy replacement of the graphics card or display element, e.g., in view of changing merchandise stocked and stored in the storage and sales unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One common construction for stocking objects such as toys in a retail store is a multi-shelf sales and storage unit wherein the objects to be immediately sold are placed on lower shelves of the unit easily accessible to the purchasing consumers (the sales portion of the unit) and a quantity of the same objects are placed for storage on an upper shelf or shelves immediately above the lower shelves and accessible, e.g., only by means of a ladder or step-stool (the storage portion of the unit). In this manner, the sales staff in the store, upon an indication that the objects on the lower shelves of the unit are depleted or at a reduced level, can position the ladder or step-stool to enable access to the upper shelf and transfer the objects from the storage portion maintained on the upper shelf or shelves to the sales portion of the unit. Thereafter, upon receipt of bulk shipments of the objects, it will only be necessary to restock the upper shelf or shelves.
The upper shelf on which the objects are stored is typically not covered, e.g., to enable the sales staff to readily ascertain that the quantity of the objects in storage is at a depleted or reduced level. However, in light of the fact that the upper shelf is uncovered and thus the objects in storage are viewable, a consumer faced with a lack of objects in the sales portion of the unit, i.e., on the lower shelves, will undoubtedly attempt to obtain the object from the storage portion of the unit, i.e., the upper shelf, in the absence of available sales staff to obtain the object for him or her. This may result in the consumer climbing on the unit and possibly damaging the same or causing injury to himself or herself.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to construct a new and improved display unit for retail stores such as toy stores.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved display unit for use in combination with a storage unit which covers a storage space in the storage unit, e.g., to obstruct viewing of the contents of the storage space, and yet which provides easy and convenient access to the storage space.
It is another object of the present invention to construct a new and improved storage unit including a storage space and a frame including a display element for covering the storage space whereby the frame has a first position preventing access to the storage space and a lockable second position permitting access to the storage space. The storage unit may also include exposed sales spaces in which objects can be displayed for sales.
It is yet another object of the present invention to construct a display unit having a frame receivable of a graphics card or display element and which is constructed to be easily changed when desired, e.g., for promotional sales.
In view of achieving these objects and others, in one embodiment of the device in accordance with the invention, the display unit in accordance with the invention comprises a frame receivable of a graphics card or display element and movable between a first position in which access to a storage space in the storage unit is prevented and a lockable second position enabling access to the storage space and a locking mechanism for locking the frame in the second, access-enabling position. The frame is pivotally mounted to the storage unit by mounting means such as a hinge which enables pivotal movement of the frame about a pivot axis in relation to the storage unit. To this end, the mounting hinge comprises a first member mounted to the storage unit and a second member mounted to the frame, each of the members having a circular portion with a central axis coincident with one another to thereby define the pivot axis of the mounting hinge. The locking means preferably comprise a bracket coupled to the storage unit and a locking hinge comprising a first member coupled to the frame and a second member for pivotally mounting the second member with respect to the first member. Each of the members has a circular portion with a central axis coincident with one another to thereby define a pivot axis. By means of the locking hinge, the second member of the locking hinge is pivotable in relation to the frame into engagement with the bracket coupled to the storage unit to lock the frame in its second, access-enabling position, as well as pivotable out of engagement with the bracket to thereby enable return of the frame to its access-preventing position.
In another embodiment of the display unit in accordance with the invention, the display unit comprises a frame receivable of a display element and mounting means for movably mounting the frame to the storage unit such that the frame is movable between a first position in which access to a storage space in the storage unit is prevented and a second position enabling access to the storage space of the storage unit. The frame comprises at least a first section and a second section defining a periphery of the frame in which a display element is receivable and a panel arranged in the frame. In this embodiment, the first frame section is pivotally mounted by means of a framing hinge to the panel. The pivoting movement of the first frame section in relation to the panel is designed to enable separation of the first frame section from the second frame section and thus facilitate access to the display element and its easy insertion and removal. On the other hand, to prevent the display element from easily falling out of the recess, e.g., during movement of the frame in relation between the first, access-preventing position and the second, access-enabling position, the first frame section and the panel include cooperating locking means for locking the first frame section to the panel. This avoids easy separation of the first frame section from the panel which may lead to release of the display element from the frame. In this embodiment, the display unit may also include the mounting hinge construction described above, as well as the locking hinge construction described above.
The storage unit with a display unit in accordance with the invention comprises at least first and second shelves spaced from one another and defining a storage space therebetween and a frame for retaining the display element and having a first position in which access to the storage space is prevented and a lockable second position enabling access to the storage space. The first shelf is situated above the second shelf and has a gondola section, or another structural member, to which a mounting hinge is attached directly or indirectly. The mounting hinge is also attached to the frame to enable the frame to pivot about a pivot axis in relation to the first shelf between its first, access preventing position and its second, access-enabling position. To lock the frame in its second, accessenabling position, a locking mechanism is provided and is attached to the frame. In one preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism is the locking hinge construction described above, i.e., a bracket coupled directly or indirectly to the first shelf, and possibly to the gondola section or the portion of the mounting hinge attached to the gondola section, and a first and second members,
Design Display Group Inc.
Steinberg & Raskin, P.C.
Wilkens Janet M.
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