AU2013205335A1 - Display system - Google Patents

Abstract

A transport and display stillage system is provided that includes a base frame having a floor supported by vertically arranged corner elements and horizontal frame members extending between corner elements to form a wall about the floor for retaining articles thereon in transport. 5 At least a pair of rear vertical extension elements adapted to extend from corner elements to increase the overall height of the stillage are provided, the rear vertical extension elements including means for connecting the proximal ends of a plurality of display shelves for extending between said at least one pair of vertical extension elements. Support means being provided to support the distal ends of the plurality of shelves, wherein the base frame is configured to enable 10 the transport of articles therein in a stacked arrangement with other like stillages, and whereby the stillage system can be reconfigured for display purposes by positioning of the rear vertical extension elements, shelves and engagement of the support means. 'I'0 ~~Uo (8 2p H- ~Fiaurel1 /e 14F-/r

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Display system The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 2 Display system Field of the invention This invention relates generally to stillages for the transportation and display of articles, including horticultural products. 5 Background of the invention In the transportation of goods, many situations exist in which, because of their particular character, articles cannot be placed together in a bulk, jumbled and disordered arrangement, but must be kept in a separate, seried arrangement in order to minimise the possibility of contact damage. Such articles include horticultural products and articles of a more general nature, which 10 might be susceptible to injury and breakage during shipment. Further, as the size and configuration of horticultural products vary considerably, the use of stillages or containers of fixed capacity for their transportation is inefficient. The nature of the market for horticultural products is such as to not offer opportunities for backloading, making desirable transportation in stillages or containers able to be collapsed into compact form for return shipment. In many 15 cases, horticultural products must be displayed for sale at a destination and the use for this purpose of the stillage or container in which they are transported minimises double handling and obviates the need for separate display stands. Having been delivered, easy movement of a stillage or container within a destination without the need for a forklift is a desirable characteristic. 20 Shipping bins or stillages which are made to be adjustable in capacity by various means or which are collapsible into compact form for empty shipment are well known. In the applicant's earlier application, WO 2008/025100, Bilotto teaches an array of stillages together with height extension elements. The advantage of this arrangement is that space between adjacent stillages in an array can be adjusted to hold a range of different sized articles during 25 transport. A further advantage is that once the articles have reached their destination, the array of stillages can be further adjusted to angle one stillage relative to another. In this way, articles which have been transported can then be displayed professionally by reconfiguring the array of stillages after reaching a destination.

3 In US 4,150,762, Brunette teaches a stackable, collapsible bin which is particularly suitable for displaying merchandise for sale. The bin comprises a base and a front wall, a back wall, and a pair of sidewall sections which are pivotally secured to the base and which are pivotal between a first and a second position. In the first position, the wall sections are generally 5 perpendicular to the base so that the wall sections lie generally in a vertical plane, locking members being provided along the vertical edges of adjacent wall sections to retain the wall sections in their first positions so that merchandise may be placed in the interior of the bin. With the locking members unlocked, the wall sections can be pivoted to their second position in which each wall section lies generally in a horizontal plane parallel to the plane of the base, so that the 10 wall sections are stacked upon each other closely adjacent to the base. While the containers and stillages referred to above offer advantages of variation in capacity and reduction to compact form for return shipment, none provides the degree of flexibility desirable in stillages or containers for the shipment and subsequent display of horticultural products. It is therefore a desired object of the invention to provide an improved 15 stillage suitable for the display of horticultural products. Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be ascertained, understood and regarded as relevant by a person skilled in the art. 20 Summary of the invention According to a first aspect, there is provided a transport and display stillage system, including: a base frame including a floor supported by vertically arranged corner elements and horizontal frame members extending between corner elements to form a wall about the floor for 25 retaining articles thereon in transport; at least a pair of rear vertical extension elements adapted to extend from corner elements to increase the overall height of the stillage; the rear vertical extension elements including means for connecting the proximal ends of a plurality of display shelves for extending between said at least one pair of vertical extension 30 elements; 4 support means being provided to support the distal ends of the plurality of shelves; wherein the base frame is configured to enable the transport of articles therein in a stacked arrangement with other like stillages, and whereby the stillage system can be reconfigured for display purposes by positioning of the rear vertical extension elements, shelves 5 and engagement of the support means. According to a second aspect, there is provided a transport and display stillage system, including: a first configuration wherein the stillage is suitable for receiving articles therein for transport in a stacked arrangement with other like stillages; and 10 a second configuration wherein the stillage is adapted to include a plurality of vertically spaced apart shelves supported from at least two rear vertical extension elements, the positioning of which increases the overall height of the stillage to that of its transport configuration and allows for the display of articles on said shelves. The configuration of the shelving is such that the depths of the shelves are stepped 15 upwardly, whereby each shelf is of lesser depth than its directly underlying shelf. The rear vertical extension elements may be separate elements inserted within sleeves formed in the upper ends of the corner elements. Alternatively, they may be fully or partially telescopically housed within the corner elements. The rear vertical extension elements may alternatively be pivotally connected to the corner elements. 20 The rear vertical extension elements may be further braced by a pair of front extension elements pivotally connected to the front corner elements. The front extension elements may be long enough to extend the full distance from the front corner elements to the top of the vertical extension elements, or may include telescopic ends. The ends of the front extension elements or telescopic elements preferably connect at or near the top end of the vertical extension elements. 25 The support means advantageously provide for connection of the distal ends of the shelves to the inclined front extension elements. Such support means may take the form of projections, such as hooks or lugs on either the distal ends of the shelves or on the inclined front extension elements and corresponding apertures provided on the other of the distal ends of the shelves or on the inclined front extension elements.

5 Alternatively, where front extension elements are not utilised, the support means provide for connection of the distal ends of the shelves to the rear vertical extension elements. Such support means may take the form of cables extending from the distal ends of the shelves to the rear vertical extension elements. The connection of the cables is preferably pivotal, such that the 5 shelves can be folded in alignment with the rear extension elements for compact transportation. Alternatively, the cables are removable from the rear extension elements, such that the shelves can be transported separately to the extension elements. The corner elements preferably have sufficient downward extension to maintain the base frame at a height above a supporting surface such that the forks of a forklift may easily pass 10 beneath it. The corner elements preferably have sufficient upward extension to support a similar stillage resting upon it in vertically spaced, stacked arrangement. The corner elements may be provided at their lower ends with flared shoes which provide a greater contact area with a supporting surface and which engage the upper ends of vertically arranged corner elements of a 15 similar stillage in stacked arrangement. The comer elements are optionally made with open, upper ends to accommodate the lower ends of vertical extensions of various lengths socketed into them to alter the height of the stillage during transport. The front extension elements, when utilised, may be pivotally deployable in several 20 ways, and are preferably able to be folded down more or less flat for empty return shipment of a stillage. The means for connecting the proximal ends of a plurality of display shelves to the rear vertical extension elements can take any form, such as a projections, like lugs that are inserted into slots formed in the extension elements. Alternatively hooks, clips or other suitable 25 projections may be inserted into corresponding apertures in the extension elements. Conversely, apertures may be provided in the rear of the shelves, with corresponding lugs, hooks, clips or other suitable means provided on the extension elements. Such connection may be to the front faces of the extension elements or may be to the inside faces of the extensions elements.

6 Brief description of the drawings The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a stillage according to a first embodiment of the present 5 invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the stillage of Figure 1 in a transport condition; Figure 3 is a top view of a pivoting section according to a first embodiment of the extension element; Figures 4a, 4b and 4c are fragmentary side views of the pivoting extension element of 10 Figure 3 in various positions; Figure 5 is a side view of a pivoting section according to a second embodiment of the extension element, in a collapsed condition; Figure 6 is a top view of the pivoting section of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a side view of the pivoting section of Figure 5 in an extended condition; 15 Figure 8 is a side view of the pivoting section of Figure 7 employing a sliding sleeve; Figure 9 shows fragmentary side views of complementary means according to one embodiment to connect the end of a shelf of Figure I to vertically arranged corner elements; Figure 10 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional side view of a shelf of Figure 1 showing means according to an alternative embodiment to connect a shelf to vertically arranged 20 corner elements; Figure 11 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of further alternative means to connect the edge of a removable shelf to vertically arranged corner elements; Figure 12 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of further alternative means to connect the edge of a removable shelf to vertically arranged corner elements; 7 Figure 13 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of further alternative means to connect the edge of a removable shelf to vertically arranged corner elements; Figure 14 is a side view of a removable shelf incorporating alternative means to secure it to vertically arranged corner elements; 5 Figure 15 is a side view of a stillage according to a second embodiment in the transport condition; Figure 16 is a side view of the stillage of Figure 15 with rear extension elements placed in position; Figure 17 is a side view of the stillage of Figures 15 and 16 in a display condition; 10 Figure 18 is a fragmentary side view of means to connect a supporting cable to removable shelving shown in Figure 17; Figure 19 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of means to connect the supporting cable of Figure 18 to vertically arranged corner elements; Figure 20 is a fragmentary side view of an alternative stillage to Figure 15 with telescopic 15 rear extension elements in a lowered position; Figure 21 is fragmentary side view of the stillage of Figure 20 with the telescopic rear extension elements in an extended position; Figure 22 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional side view of latching means to secure a telescopic extension element; 20 Figure 23 is a fragmentary, partial cross-sectional side view of an alternative latching means to secure a telescopic extension element; Figure 24 shows respectively an inclined front extension element and a vertical rear extension element, both slotted to receive connection means for the edge of a removable shelf; Figure 25 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional side view of a locking plunger for a telescopic 25 extension element; 8 Figure 26 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional side view of an alternative means to secure a pivotal extension element in a vertical orientation; Figure 27 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional side view of another alternative means to secure a pivotal extension element in a vertical orientation; 5 Figure 28 is a side view of a jacking lever-type trolley according to another aspect of the present invention lifting an edge of a stillage; Figure 29 is a front view of a socket located on a stillage according to another embodiment; Figure 30 is a fragmentary side view of the end of the trolley of Figure 11 showing a ball 10 element to engage the complementary socket of Figure 12; Figure 31 is an end view of a stillage with an undercarriage of the present invention in place; Figure 32 is a cross-sectional side view along section A-A of the undercarriage of Figure 14; and 15 Figure 33 is side view of a jacking lever-type trolley according to another embodiment lifting an edge of a stillage. Detailed description of the embodiments The figures are drawn from a variety of scales and no meaning should be inferred from this. 20 The present invention relates to stillages which are made collapsible for empty return, are preferably made modifiable to provide a variety of configurations to suit products of differing characteristics and are made adaptable to provide a display configuration to be employed for displaying of their contents at a destination. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a stillage 10 for the transportation of horticultural 25 products or other articles comprises a base frame 12 of substantially horizontal extension comprising lower frame members 14, upper frame members 16 and four vertically arranged 9 corner elements 18 to which said frame members 14, 16 are fixed. The lower and upper frame members 14, 16 are connected by short vertical struts 20 positioned more or less at mid span on each side to stiffen the base frame 12 against static and lifting loads. One or more floor supporting members (not shown) passing from side to side of the lower frame members 14 5 support floor 22. Where the stillage 10 is intended for the transportation of horticultural products, the floor takes the form of a foraminous metal sheet or welded metal mesh. In alternative embodiments, the floor takes the form of a sheet of any suitable stiff, sheet material which is optionally stiffened by being ribbed or has shaped recesses formed in it to positively locate individual units of a load. 10 The vertically arranged corner elements 18 have sufficient downward extension to maintain the base frame 12 at a height above a supporting surface such that the forks of a forklift may easily pass beneath it and sufficient upward extension to support a similar stillage or container resting upon it in vertically spaced, stacked arrangement. The corner elements 18 are provided at their lower ends with flared shoes 24 which provide a greater contact area with a 15 supporting surface and which engage the upper ends of vertically arranged corner elements 18 of a similar stillage upon which the stillage rests in stacked arrangement. The extension elements 26 are pivotally deployable to a vertical position if required and able to be folded down (as indicated by arc X in Figure 2) to a more or less flat position for empty return shipment of the stillage 10. With the pivoting down of the extension elements, the 20 upper ends 64 of the corner elements 18 are left free to engage the feet 24 of another stillage supported above in stacked arrangement. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a stillage is adapted at a destination to support shelving for display purposes. In this embodiment, two rear vertical extension elements 56 are positioned with respect to the corner elements 18. Two front extension elements 26, supported directly or 25 otherwise from the vertically arranged corner elements 18, are pivotally inclined and connected to the vertical extensions 56. At least the upper parts of the vertically arranged corner elements 18 are made in the form of U-sections (see Figure 3) with an inner side open and with pivot pins 28 passing through respective apertures 30, 32 from side to side. The front extension elements 26 are provided at their lower ends with suitably located apertures in the form of pivot slots 32 30 (see Figures 4a, 4b and 4c) through which the pivot pins 28 transversely pass; the pivot slots 32 being angled upwardly to a small degree away from the closed back wall 34 of the extension 10 elements 26. The lower, inner corners of the extension elements adjacent the closed back walls 34 are each provided with a suitable cut-away 36 to ensure clearance during pivotal displacement of the extension elements 26. The positioning and angled arrangement of the pivot slots 32 is such that, when the extension elements 26 are raised bodily, they are displaced away from the 5 closed back walls 34, thereby permitting their pivotal displacement (see Figure 4b). Similarly, when the extension elements 26 are lowered bodily (see Figure 4c), the positioning and angled arrangement of the pivot slots 32 acts to displace the inner faces of the extension elements into wedging contact with the closed back walls 34, thereby locking the extension elements 26 in their vertically deployed positions, should such a position be required. 10 Referring back to Figures I and 2, the upper ends of the extension elements 26 are provided with telescopically deployable extensions 52 which are secured in their deployed positions by means of spring latches 58. With reference to Figures 5 through 8, in a second embodiment, extension elements 26a are pivotally supported from vertically arranged corner elements 18 by an axially extended tab 15 38 formed on the lower end of and at one side of each extension element 26 being pivotally supported on pivot pin 40 passing through suitable apertures (not shown) provided in complementary positions in the upper edge of and at one side of each corner element 18. In the preferred embodiment, zones 42 in the side surfaces of the corner element upper parts are suitably relieved to permit tabs 38 and the heads of pivot pins 40 to lie flush with the side 20 surfaces. With the extension elements 26a deployed to their vertical positions, their lower end surfaces 44 abut the upper end surfaces 46 of the corner elements 18 and the extension elements 26a are retained in this position by close-fitting sleeves 48 being slid down over the pivots; downward displacement of the sleeves being limited by the lower edges of the sleeves 48 abutting shoulders 50 formed on the corner elements 18. 25 In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the shoulders 50 are replaced by lugs, bars or the like fixed to the corner elements 18. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the corner elements 18 are made in the form of a U-section and the extension elements are sized to nest within the corner elements 18, the lower ends of the extension elements being accommodated and pivotally supported within the interior of the upper ends of the corner 30 elements on pivot pins passing transversely through the corner elements. In such an embodiment, sleeves 48 are made stepped, with an upper part sized to suit the dimensions of the 11 extension elements and a lower part sized to suit the dimensions of the corner elements. Shoulders 50 are not required in such an embodiment. In alternative embodiments (not shown), short forms of extension elements 26 pivotally supported in the manner described in relation to Figures 1 to 8 that are able to be fully folded 5 down are employed in place of rear vertical extensions 56. In these embodiments, the locations of the pivot pins are optionally moved downwardly on the vertically arranged corner elements and tabs 38 are lengthened such that, when the short form extension elements are fully folded down (similar to that depicted in Figures 5 and 6), the upper ends of the corner elements are left free to engage the feet of another stillage supported above in stacked arrangement. In another 10 alternative embodiment (not shown), extension elements of various lengths are pivotally supported from short stubs socketed into telescopically deployable extensions. At a destination, the stillage 10 can be reconfigured into a display stand. Two upright extensions 56 are located in the top of the corner elements 18. In their fully deployed positions (Figure 1), the upper ends of the two telescopically deployable extensions 52 coincide with the 15 upper ends 66 of the two upright vertical extensions 56 to which they are latched by suitable latching means. In the preferred embodiment, the latching means take the form of simple bars 68 pivotally supported on pivots 70 on the vertical extensions 56 or the telescopic extension 52 and deployed such that slots (not shown) at their free ends engage lugs 72 fixed to the other pair of extensions. This arrangement creates braced sidewalls of triangular shape with the upper 20 frame member 16, vertical extensions 56 and angled extensions formed from extension elements 26 and telescopic extensions 52. Shelving can then be added that extends between the two triangular sidewall braces. As shown in Figure 9, the inner ends 74 of shelves 76 are fixed in place by lugs comprising heads 78 supported on pillars 80 fixed to the edges of the shelves 76 engaging suitably located, keyhole-type apertures 82 provided in the two upright vertical 25 extensions 56. The configuration of the shelving is such that the depths of the shelves are stepped upwardly, whereby each shelf is of lesser depth than its directly underlying shelf to maximise display and access. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 10, the outer ends 84 of shelves 76 are fixed in 30 place by means of hook elements 86 attached in appropriate positions on the side edges of 12 shelves 76 that engage suitably located slots 88 provided in the extension elements 26 and their telescopically deployable extensions 52. In some embodiments, the shelving 76 is transported in a loaded stillage 10 in a compartment (not shown) created by installing a false floor beneath the normal floor 22 of the 5 stillage. The space required for the compartment can be created by raising lower frame member 14. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the shelving 76 is clipped together and transported in a loaded stillage by being fixed in a vertical position between two vertical extensions 56 of the stillage. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the outer ends of the shelves are fixed to the inclined vertical extensions by means of pad bolt-type latches. Such 10 latches are fixed to the shelves 76 and their ends enter and engage suitable complementary apertures provided in the extension elements 26. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the outer ends of the shelves are fixed to the inclined extension elements 26 by means of sprung plungers fixed to the shelves 76, the plungers being urged by suitable springs into engagement with suitable complementary apertures provided in the inclined extension elements. 15 With reference to Figure 11, the inner ends 74 of shelves 76 can be fixed to vertical extensions 56 by means of upturned hook elements 90 passing through closely fitting, complementary slots 92 provided in the vertical extensions 56. The hook elements 90 are unable to be disengaged from the slots without deflecting the outer ends of the shelves substantially upwardly. 20 With reference to Figure 12, shelves 76 can be supported from extensions, whether in a vertical or inclined position, by short tracks 94 fixed to the side surfaces of the vertical extensions, the shelves being slid into place in the tracks. With reference to Figure 13, the inner ends of the shelves 76 can be fixed to vertical extensions 56 by means of sprung elements 96 fixed to the inner ends 74 of shelves 76 by 25 fastenings 98 being forced through suitable apertures 100 provided in the vertical extensions 56. With additional reference to Figure 14, the shelves 76 may be supported by metal gussets 102 fixed to the side edges of the shelves and secured to vertical extensions 56 by a plurality of hook elements 104 formed on the rear edges of the gussets engaging complementary slots (not shown) in the vertical extensions 56. In one preferred embodiment, the lower edges 106 of the 13 gussets 102 are fixed to the shelves 76 by means of hinges 108 which permit the gussets to be folded down flat when the shelves 76 are removed from the stillage. With reference to Figure 24, the edges of a removable shelf (not shown) are provided with lugs of the type described in relation to Figure 9. Extensions elements 26, 56 in their 5 inclined and vertical positions are provided with horizontal slots 156 opening to their outer edges, the horizontal slots 156 leading to vertical slots 158. A suitably shaped access aperture (not shown) is provided at the open end 160 of each horizontal slot, the access apertures providing ingress for the heads of the lugs. The access apertures 160 are shaped to just admit the heads of the lugs. The width of the horizontal and vertical slots is such as to just admit the 10 pillars of the lugs. To install a removable shelf 76 in a stillage adapted for the purpose, the heads of the lugs are offered up to the access apertures and then the shelf is displaced inwardly such that the pillars of the lugs enter the horizontal slots. Further inward displacement of the shelf brings the pillars to a point at which they can descend into the vertical slots in which they are positively located. 15 With reference to Figures 15 to 19, a stillage is shown according to another embodiment of the invention that is adapted at a destination to support shelving for display purposes. In this embodiment, two vertical extensions 56 are placed in the rear corner elements of the stillage. The inner edges of shelves 76 are fixed to the vertical extensions 56 with lugs of the type described in relation to Figure 9 or other suitable attachment means. The outer ends 86 of the 20 shelves 76 are supported by cable stays 110, the lower ends 112 of the cable stays 110 being fixed to eyes 114 by swagings 116. The eyes are pivotally fixed to the sides of the shelves by suitable fastenings 118. In the preferred embodiment, the upper ends of the cable stays 110 are fixed to cylindrical slugs 120 by swagings 122. The slugs 120 are passed through complementary apertures 124 in the vertical extensions 56 and the swagings led out through 25 narrow slots 126, thereby capturing the slugs 120. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the cylindrical slugs are replaced by spherical slugs and the shape of the complementary apertures is modified to accommodate these. With reference again to Figure 1, extension elements 26 on both sides of the stillage 10 are symmetrically inclined inwardly and their abutting upper edges are joined by the latching 30 means 66 described earlier. The vertical extensions 56 are optionally made with or without telescopically deployable extensions to be described further below. The shelves 76 are 14 supported from the inclined extension elements 26 by any combination of lugs, hooks, engagements brackets, stay cables, sprung elements or short tracks of the types described in the foregoing. With reference again to Figure 2, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), where 5 extension elements 26 are to be pivoted-down flat, pivot pins 28 are set at differing heights to allow each extension element 26 to rest level upon a previously folded-down extension element 26. In this embodiment, it is necessary for a specific folding-down sequence to be observed. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), where extension elements 26 are too long to be folded flat across said stillage or container, they are provided with a breaking knee-type joint, 10 employing direct adaptations of the pivot arrangements described in relation to Figures 5 to 8. In the preferred embodiment, the breaking knee joint is located in the range 25 per cent to 75 percent of the vertical length of said vertical extensions. This could replace the use of telescopic extensions 52. In these embodiments, a pivotally deployed extension is preferably pivoted upwardly from the inside of a pivotally inclined extension element such that, when the pivotally 15 deployed extension is latched to an upright the vertical extension, a downwardly or inwardly applied force will tend to urge the pivotally deployed extension into its fully deployed position. The corner elements 18 are optionally made with telescopically deployable vertical extensions 56 accommodated within them (see Figures 20 and 21). The vertical extensions 56 are deployable equally to predetermined distances to increase the vertical separation of a similar 20 stillage supported above in stacked arrangement; or asymmetrically to support a similar stillage or container in stacked, but angled, arrangement. The height of deployment of the telescopically deployable extensions is determined by pins (not shown) of sprung locking plungers 58 fixed to the corner elements 18 engaging suitably located complementary slots or apertures in the vertical extensions 56. Suitable apertures 60 provided in the corner elements are engaged by sprung 25 restricting elements 62 when the telescopically deployable vertical extensions 56 are deployed to their maximum permissible extent. The vertical extensions 56 can be provided as a single insert, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, or may be provided as a telescopic extension, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, which include a sprung locking plunger 58. With reference to Figure 22, latching means are provided in an 30 alternative embodiment to secure telescopically deployable extensions 56 within corner element 15 18 in its partially or completely deployed positions. The telescopically deployable vertical extensions 56 are provided with one or more longitudinally arranged slots 128 in two opposed sides, circular locating apertures 130 being provided in the slots 128 at points at which the extension 56 is to be locked. A latching element 131 comprises end parts 132, 134 rotationally 5 supported, respectively, in apertures 133, 135 provided in opposed sides of corner element 18 and a central part extending across the full width of extension 56. The sides of the central part are cut away to create parallel flats 136, the distance between the flats 136 being such as to permit the slots 128 to make a light sliding fit with the flats 136 when the central part is rotated to bring the flats 136 into parallelism with the edges of slots 128. When the extension 56 is to be 10 locked into a selected position, the latching element 131 is rotated through 90 degrees by means of handle part 138 such that the ends of the central part are positioned transversely across the locating apertures 130, thereby blocking the extension 56 against relative movement in relation to the corner element 18. To prevent the latching element 131 from turning as a result of vibration or the like during transportation, disc 140 fixed to the handle end 138 of the latching 15 element 131 is provided with a short locking pin 142 on its inner surface, the pin 142 engaging a suitably located, complementary aperture in the outer surface of the corner element 18. To retain the locking pin 142 in the aperture, compression spring 144 is provided on the opposed end of the latching element 131, the spring 144 bearing against a disc 146 secured in place by a circlip and urging the locking pin 142 into the aperture. In order to rotate it, the handle part 158 is first 20 urged outwardly against the force of the spring 144 to disengage the pin 142 from the aperture. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a simple anti-rattle spring is provided on the end of the latching element 131 opposed to said handle part 138. With reference to Figure 23, alternative latching means are shown to secure a pivotally deployable extension 26 in a vertical position in the upper end of corner element 18. The 25 pivotally deployable extension 26 is pivotally supported on pivot pin 28 passing through bores 32, the ends of the pivot pin 28 being carried in apertures 30 provided in opposed sides of the corner element 18. The ends of the latching element 148 are rotationally supported in apertures (not shown) provided in opposed sides of the corner element 18, the central part of the latching element extending across the full width of the extension being cut away to create parallel flats 30 150. The latching element 148 passes through locating apertures 152 provided in opposed sides of the extension 26, arcuate slots 154 based on a radius from the axis of the pivot pin 28 extending from the locating apertures 152 to the outer edges of the extension 26. The distance 16 between the flats 150 is such as to permit the slots 154 to make a light sliding fit with the flats 150 when the latching element 148 is rotated to bring the flats 150 into parallelism with the edges of the slots 154. A handle part (not shown) is provided on one end of the latching element 148 to facilitate its turning. To lock the extension 26 in its vertical position, it is pivoted 5 upwardly from a lowered position, the latching element being rotated as required to bring the flats of its central part into parallelism with the openings of the slots. Full upward displacement of the extension 26 brings the latching element fully into the locating apertures, the latching element then being rotated through 90 degrees by means of the handle part such that the ends of the central part are positioned transversely across the slots, thereby blocking the extension 10 against relative movement in relation to the corner element. With reference to Figure 26, alternative means are provided to create a pivotally deployable extension element 26 of a vertically arranged corner element 18. In this embodiment, the pivotally deployable extension element 26 is made with long slot 190 which is able to pass upwardly and downwardly over pin 192 fixed in opposed side walls of the corner element 18. In 15 the situation depicted in Figure 26, in which the extension element 26 is in the vertical position, the lower end of the extension element 26 is telescopically fully entered into the vertically arranged corner element 18 and the upper end of the slot rests on the pin 192. To pivotally collapse the extension element 26, it is displaced vertically until the lower end of the slot 190 abuts the pin 192 and is then displaced pivotally through aperture 194 in the side of the corner 20 element 18. The lower corner 196 is suitably cut away so as to not impede its pivotal displacement. In the preferred embodiment, the corner element 18 extends for a sufficient distance above the pivotally displaced extension element 26 to receive without obstruction the flared shoes 24 of another stillage supported above in stacked array. With reference to Figure 27, alternative means are provided to create a pivotally 25 deployable extension element 26 of a vertically arranged corner element 18. In this embodiment, the extension element 26 is made with short slot 198 which is able to pass upwardly and downwardly over pin 200 fixed in opposed side walls of the corner element 18. In the situation depicted in Figure 27, in which the extension element 26 is in the vertical position, the lower end of the extension element is entered into the corner element such that the upper end of slot 198 30 rests on pin 200. At the same time, pillar 202 fixed to the outer surface of the pivotally extension element 26 and which supports lug head 204 is entered into complementary slot 206 provided in the upper, outer edge of corner element 18. Abutment of the lug head 204 against the outer 17 surface of the corner element inhibits the extension element from pivotal displacement out through the open side of corner element 18 which is made in the form of a U-section. To pivotally collapse the extension element 26, it is displaced vertically until the lower end of the slot 198 abuts the pin 200 and lug head 204 is clear of the upper edge of the corner element, 5 permitting extension element 26 to then be displaced pivotally, outwardly. The lower corner 208 is suitably cut away so as to not impede its pivotal displacement. In the preferred embodiment, corner element 18 extends for a sufficient distance above extension element 26 to receive without obstruction the flared shoes 24 of another stillage supported above in stacked array. With reference to Figure 25, latching means are shown to secure the various 10 telescopically deployable extensions 52 (or 56) in partially or completely deployed positions. The telescopically deployable extension 52 is provided with one or more longitudinally arranged slots 162 in two opposed sides, a plurality of circular locating apertures 164 being provided in the slots 162 at points at which the telescopically deployable extension 52 is to be locked. Latching element 166 is slidingly supported in apertures 168, 170 provided in opposed sides of 15 the extension element 26 and flatted parts 172, 174 are provided in the latching element and urged by compression spring 176 out of register with the slots. The compression spring 176 is contained within housing 178 fixed to the outer surface of the extension element 26 and bears against disc 180 formed on the latching element. The transverse freedom of movement permitted by the spring is made sufficient to allow the flatted parts to be displaced fully into and 20 out of register with the slots. Knob 182 is fixed to the end of the latching element by a threaded end part of the latching element being screwed into a threaded bore of the knob. The distance between the parallel faces of the flatted parts is such as to permit the slots to make a light sliding fit with the faces when the flatted parts are brought into register with the slots. When the telescopically deployable extension 56 is to be locked into a selected position, the latching 25 element is transversely displaced through the application of force to the knob against the urging of the spring until the flatted parts are brought into register with the slots. The telescopically deployable extension is then raised or lowered as required to bring the required locating apertures into register with the latching element and the knob is then released, allowing the spring to urge the flatted parts out of register with the slots and thereby blocking the 30 telescopically deployable extension against relative movement in relation to the extension element 26. To prevent the latching element from being laterally displaced as a result of vibration or the like during transportation, the diameter of land 184 is made slightly larger than 18 the diameter of the generality of the latching element. Weight applied to the telescopically deployable extension causes the raised outer edge of the land 184 to be forced downwardly to engage the inner edge of aperture 168 in the extension element 26, thereby inhibiting any further lateral displacement. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the land is made larger than the 5 diameter of the generality of the latching element by an increment in the range 0.20 to 1.00 millimetres. In a first alternative embodiment (not shown), the telescopically deployable extension is made with a single slot in its side adjacent the spring and the latching element is shortened by being cut off more or less at point 186. The telescopically deployable extension 52 is locked into position in the manner described, but by engagement of the latching element only 10 with a single slot. In a second alternative embodiment (not shown), the slots are deleted and a plurality of suitably spaced indexing apertures are provided in the side of the telescopically deployable extension adjacent the spring and aligned with the latching element. The apertures are made round with a diameter slightly larger than that of the latching element and the latching element is 15 shortened by being cut off more or less at point 188. To raise or lower the telescopically deployable extension, force is applied to the knob to laterally displace the latching element against the urging of the spring until the latching element is withdrawn from an aperture. With the telescopically deployable extension repositioned as required, the knob is released, allowing the spring to urge the latching element inwardly to enter and engage the appropriate indexing 20 aperture, thereby blocking the telescopically deployable extension against relative movement in relation to the extension element 26. The outer end of the latching element is preferably chamfered to facilitate its entry into the indexing apertures. In both alternative embodiments, land 168 is made slightly larger in diameter for the reason previously stated. With reference to Figures 31 and 32, an undercarriage 201 to support either or both end 25 structures of a stillage 10 is illustrated that includes transverse bar 202 extending substantially across the width of stillage 10 and to the ends of which are fixed short, longitudinally arranged bars 204 supporting wheel brackets 206 in which wheels 208 are rotationally supported upon axles 210. Fixed to short, longitudinally arranged bars 204 are vertically arranged members 212, to the upper ends of which are fixed short lengths of channel section 214, the interior shaping of 30 which is complementary to the external shaping of upper frame member 216. Fixed to bars 204 abutting the inner surfaces of vertically arranged members 212 are short lengths of channel section 218, the interior shaping of which is complementary to the external shaping of lower 19 frame member 220. Channel section 214 makes an easy sliding fit over the upper and lower frame members 202, 216 and, in the preferred embodiment, the free, upper edges 222, 224 of channel section 214 are splayed outwardly to facilitate entry of upper and lower frame members 202, 216 into channel sections 214. 5 With reference to Figures 28, 29 and 30, a socket 226 is fixed to the lower edge of vertical strut 228 at either or both ends of stillage 10. Socket 226 is made with bore 230 (depicted in broken line) having a hemispherical inner end 232 (depicted in broken line) of shaping complementary to that of ball 234. Ball 234 is supported on pillar 236 at the free end of lower handle member 238 of jacking lever-type trolley 200. Slot 240 communicating with bore 10 230 is provided in the outer part of socket 226 to accommodate pillar 236 when ball 234 enters bore 230 with pillar 236 inclined at an angle. Lower handle member 238 is connected by rising handle member 242 to upper handle member 244. Upper handle member 244 is preferably covered by a suitable, durable, resilient material for comfort and ease of gripping by a user. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the upper handle member takes the form of a T-handle or 15 of a D-handle, the curved part of which is orientated towards the user. Fixed to the underside of the lower handle member 238 are wheel brackets 246 in which wheels 250 are rotationally supported upon axles 252. In a preferred embodiment, wheel brackets 246 are fixed and wheels 250 are provided in pairs. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), wheel brackets 246 are pivotally supported from the lower face of lower handle member 238 and wheels 250 are 20 provided singly or in pairs. The horizontal distance between axles 25 and the axis of ball 234 (with lower handle member 238 orientated horizontally) is made to provide an appropriate lifting of ball 234 as upper handle member 244 is displaced downwardly through approximately 45 degrees. In the operation of jacking lever-type trolley 200, upper handle member 244 is raised, thereby lowering ball 234, the raising being continued until ball 234 is able to pass beneath the 25 lower surface of socket 226. Ball 234 is positioned beneath bore 240 and upper handle member 244 is lowered such that ball 234 enters bore 240 and is urged against hemispherical bore end 232. Continued lowering of upper handle member 244 results in flared shoes 24 being lifted above the supporting surface. Where the other end of stillage 10 is supported upon an undercarriage 201 (as described above), stillage 10 may be towed along by applying force to 30 upper handle member 244 and steered by moving upper handle member 244 to one side or the other.

20 With additional reference to Figure 32, a jacking lever-type trolley 200 is employed to raise one end of stillage 10 in the manner described, the raising permitting the installation of an undercarriage 201. Installation of undercarriage 201 is effected by positioning undercarriage 201 beneath the end of stillage 10 with short lengths of channel section 214 immediately beneath 5 upper frame member 216 and short lengths of channel section 218 immediately beneath lower frame member 202. Lowering of the end of stillage 10 permits upper and lower frame members to fully enter the short lengths of channel section 214 and, thereby, to transfer the weight of the end of stillage 10 to wheels 208 with flared shoes 24 being maintained above the supporting surface. 10 With reference to Figure 33 (in an alternative embodiment), in order for the end of stillage 10 to be maintained in a raised position while undercarriage 201 is positioned for installation, jacking lever-type trolley 203 is provided with blocking arm 254 pivotally supported on pivot 256 located towards the lower end of rising handle member 242. In the illustrated embodiment, blocking arm 254 is made from a suitable U-section, the open part of which is 15 orientated towards stillage 10. Adjacent pivot 256, the closed, middle part of the U-section (not shown) is cut away such that its edge abuts the upper surface of rising handle member 242 when blocking arm 254 is fully retracted (away from stillage 10). The free end of blocking arm 254 is cut away to create shoulder 258 which, when blocking arm 254 is fully deployed (towards stillage 10), passes beneath upper frame member 216. The end of shoulder 258 is made rounded 20 to prevent contact injury to personnel. The closed, middle part of the U-section at the free end of blocking arm 254 is extended and bent upwardly to provide an enlarged contact zone 260 to abut the side of upper frame member 216 when blocking arm 254 is in its fully deployed position. Lever 262 is pivotally supported on pivot 264 located towards the upper end of rising handle member 242. Push-pull rod 266 is pivotally linked to lever 262 and blocking arm 254, 25 respectively, at clevises 268 and 270 and displacement of lever 262 through arc 272 results in displacement of blocking arm 254 through arc 274. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), push-pull rod 266 is replaced with a Bowden cable type arrangement. In operation, to install undercarriage 201 on an end of a stillage 10, lever 262 is first moved rearwardly to displace blocking arm 254 to its fully retracted position. Ball 234 is then engaged with bore 240 of socket 30 226 and upper handle member 244 is depressed to raise the end of stillage 10 in the manner described. With upper handle member 244 maintained in its depressed position, lever 262 is moved forwardly to deploy blocking arm 254 into a position in which shoulder 258 is beneath 21 upper frame member 216. Raising upper handle member 244 then brings shoulder 258 into abutment with the lower surface of upper frame member 216, in which position blocking arm 254 acts to prevent any further rise in upper handle member 244. Upper handle member 244 is then able to be relinquished to allow undercarriage 201 to be positioned for installation in the 5 manner described. With undercarriage 201 suitably positioned, upper handle member 244 is depressed to disengage shoulder 258 from the lower surface of upper frame member 216; lever 262 is moved rearwardly to fully retract blocking arm 254; upper handle member 244 is raised, lowering stillage 10 such that upper and lower frame members are entered fully into short lengths of channel section 214; and, thereby, the weight of the end of stillage 10 is transferred to 10 wheels 208 with flared shoes 24 being maintained above the supporting surface. All other aspects of jacking lever-type trolley 203 are the same as those of jacking lever-type trolley 200. The present invention provides a stillage that is suitable for stacked arrangement with other like stillages during transport and can be quickly and easily reconfigured for use as a display stand. Upon emptying at the destination, the stillage can be reconfigured into a collapsed 15 transport configuration for return transport. The reconfiguration at the destination provides display shelving that does not impede display or access to the products, being particularly well suited to horticultural products. It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident 20 from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. A transport and display stillage system, including: a base frame including a floor supported by vertically arranged corner elements and horizontal frame members extending between corner elements to form a wall about the 5 floor for retaining articles thereon in transport; at least a pair of rear vertical extension elements adapted to extend from corner elements to increase the overall height of the stillage; the rear vertical extension elements including means for connecting the proximal ends of a plurality of display shelves for extending between said at least one pair of vertical 10 extension elements; support means being provided to support the distal ends of the plurality of shelves; wherein the base frame is configured to enable the transport of articles therein in a stacked arrangement with other like stillages, and whereby the stillage system can be reconfigured for display purposes by positioning of the rear vertical extension elements, 15 shelves and engagement of the support means.

2. A transport and display stillage system, including: a first configuration wherein the stillage is suitable for receiving articles therein for transport in a stacked arrangement with other like stillages; and a second configuration wherein the stillage is adapted to include a plurality of vertically 20 spaced apart shelves supported from at least two rear vertical extension elements, the positioning of which increases the overall height of the stillage to that of its transport configuration and allows for the display of articles on said shelves.

3. A transport and display stillage according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the configuration of the shelving is such that the depths of the shelves are stepped upwardly, whereby each 25 shelf is of lesser depth than its directly underlying shelf.

4. A transport and display stillage according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear vertical extension elements are separate elements inserted within sleeves formed in the upper ends of the corner elements. 23

5. A transport and display stillage according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein the rear vertical extension elements are fully or partially telescopically housed within the corner elements.

6. A transport and display stillage according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rear 5 vertical extension elements are pivotally connected to corner elements.

7. A transport and display stillage according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear vertical extension elements are braced by a pair of front extension elements pivotally connected to the front corner elements.

8. A transport and display stillage according to claim 7, wherein the front extension 10 elements extend from the front corner elements to the top of the vertical extension elements.

9. A transport and display stillage according to claim 7, wherein the front extension elements include a telescopic extension element, which together extend from the front corner elements to the top of the vertical extension elements. 15

10. A transport and display stillage according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the ends of the front extension elements or telescopic elements connect at or near the top end of the vertical extension elements.

11. A transport and display stillage according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the support means provide for connection of the distal ends of the shelves to the inclined 20 front extension elements.

12. A transport and display stillage according to claim 11, wherein the support means are projections on the distal ends of the shelves and corresponding apertures are provided on the inclined front extension elements.

13. A transport and display stillage according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support 25 means provide for connection of the distal ends of the shelves to the rear vertical extension elements. 24

14. A transport and display stillage according to claim 13, wherein the support means take the form of cables extending from the distal ends of the shelves to the rear vertical extension elements.

15. A transport and display stillage according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 5 corner elements have sufficient downward extension to maintain the base frame at a height above a supporting surface such that the forks of a forklift may easily pass beneath it.

16. A transport and display stillage according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the corner elements have sufficient upward extension to support a similar stillage resting 10 upon it in vertically spaced, stacked arrangement.

17. A transport and display stillage according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for connecting the proximal ends of a plurality of display shelves to the rear vertical extension elements can take the form of projections inserted into corresponding apertures formed in the extension elements. 15

18. A transport and display stillage according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein apertures are provided in the rear of the shelves, with corresponding projections provided on the extension elements.

19. A transport and display stillage according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shelves connect to the front faces of the extension elements.

20 20. A transport and display stillage according to any one of claims I to 18, wherein the shelves connect to the inside faces of the extensions elements.