GB2457718A

GB2457718A - Display shelves

Info

Publication number: GB2457718A
Application number: GB0803291A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Kessler
Original assignee: KESSLERS INTERNAT Ltd
Current assignee: KESSLERS INTERNAT Ltd
Priority date: 2008-02-22
Filing date: 2008-02-22
Publication date: 2009-08-26
Also published as: GB0803291D0

Abstract

A display shelf structure for retail use is disclosed. It comprises an elongate shelf divided into two or more sections 1, 2, each attached to the next by attachment means enabling one section to be rotated relative to an adjacent section about an axis parallel to the elongation of the shelf. The attachment means may comprise flanges 3 that may be triangular and that have apertures 4, 5. The shelf sections may be held together by bolts. One aperture being arcuate 4 and centered about a circular perforation 5 to enable the degree of rotation between adjacent sections 1, 2 to be adjusted.

Description

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DISPLAY SHELVES

This invention relates to display shelves.

There are many instances in retail display where products which are to be sold are arranged in a display on a shelf where they can be viewed by the intending purchaser. Such shelves are generally located in an appropriate framework and are usually arranged in a set of parallel vertically spaced horizontal planes. The articles to be displayed are merely placed on the shelf, if necessary with appropriate placards or labels likewise placed on the shelf or attached, for example, to the front of the shelf, or to the items themselves.

Displays are also known for books and the like where the shelf is in an inclined plane, usually with a ledge at its base so that something placed on the shelf does not simply slide off. Such displays are used particularly when, if the object to be displayed were to be horizontal, the visual impact would be substantially less than if it were somewhat inclined.

We have now found that visually eye-catching displays may be produced by having shelving units which have one or more horizontal portions and one or more inclined portions.

Accordingly broadly to the present invention, there is provided a display shelf structure comprising an elongate shelf divided into two or more sections, each attached to the next by attachment means enabling one section to be rotated relative to an adjacent section about an axis parallel to the elongation of the shelf.

Preferably, that axis is substantially midway between the edges of the elongate shelf.

Such a shelf may be placed in an appropriate framework or, for example, supported between two walls or other panels, and its sections may be arranged horizontal or inclined as desired. It is preferred to ensure that the attachment means enable a variation of the angle between the sections, so as to provide the ability to match the display shelf to the particular item or items being displayed and to the surrounding context.

While given appropriate engineering and design, it is possible for each shelf to have several sections, each of which may be set in a plane differently inclined to the next, it is found that, for many applications, the shelf is conveniently divided into three sections.

A very convenient way of configuring the individual sections is to construct each as a substantially planar shelf section having depending from each end a perforated flange substantially in a plane perpendicular to the planar shelf section. Two such sections may then be brought together with their flanges abutted and the two flanges joined together with the two major planar sections at the desired angle one to another. In a very simple construction, the flanges are generally of triangular shape and include two essentially central perforations, one being a circular perforation nearer the plane of the shelf and the other being an arcuate slot centred on the first and located more remote from the plane of the shelf section than the first aperture. By bolting two such sections together, the angle between their planar sections may be varied with the bolts relatively loose and may be fixed when the bolts are tightened up.

Numerous variations may be made in detail, both as regards the material of construction of the shelves and their sections, surface finish, colour and shape.

The invention is illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shelf structure in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the shelf structure of Figure 1 following adjustment of its centre section to lie at an angle relative to its ends; and Figure 3 is an exploded view of the shelf structure shown in Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, in which like reference numbers are used to denote like parts, the shelf structure there illustrated consists of three sections, two identical end sections 1 and a central section 2.

As shown, each of the end sections 1 consists of a rectangular board having a pair of steel brackets 3 fixed to its ends. Each steel bracket has an arcuate slot 4 and a circular hole 5 in it conveniently made simply by punching from steel plate.

The central section 2 consists of two similar end brackets to which has been welded a steel sheet having a turned-up edge 7.

The three sections are held together by four sets of nuts and bolts. One nut and bolt passes through a pair of registered holes 5 while the other through a pair of slots 4. The nuts and bolts may be provided with washers, in particular lock washers, in known fashion to enable the sections to be held tightly together.

If the shelf is initially assembled as shown in Figure 1, it may be converted to the shelf arrangement shown in Figure 2 by loosening the nut and bolt connections between the flanges 3 sufficient to enable the rotation of one section relative to another about the axis on which holes 5 lie. When the desired angle is adopted, for example as shown in Figure 2, the nuts and bolts can be tightened up again and the structure will then remain firm. The holes 5 and arcuate slots 4 can engage with suitable clips or other fixings to enable the entire shelf shown in Figures 1 and 2 to be supported where desired. /

Claims

ICLAIMS1. A display shelf structure comprising an elongate shelf divided into two or more sections, each attached to the next by attachment means enabling one section to be rotated relative to an adjacent section about an axis parallel to the elongation of the shelf.
2. A display shelf structure according to Claim 1 wherein the axis is substantially midway between the edges of the elongate shelf.
3. A display shelf structure according to Claim I or 2 wherein the attachment means enable a variation of the angle between the sections to be achieved.
4. A display shelf structure according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 and consisting of three sections. * . * e.*
5. A display shelf structure according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein each individual section is constructed as a substantially planar shelf section having depending from each end a perforated flange substantially in a plane perpendicular to the planar shelf section. *S.....

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6. A display shelf structure according to Claim 5 wherein the flanges are of generally triangular shape and include two essentially central perforations, one being a circular perforation nearer the plane of the shelf and the other being an arcuate slot centred on the first and located more remote from the plane of the shelf section than the first aperture.
7. A display shelf structure according to Claim 6 and including bolts bolting two shelf sections together, the angle between their planar sections being fixed when the bolts are tightened up.