AU778483B2

AU778483B2 - A merchandising display unit

Info

Publication number: AU778483B2
Application number: AU15007/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Ian Chappell; Cameron Hunter Johnston
Original assignee: PPI Corp Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Neta Industries Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2001-01-15
Filing date: 2001-01-15
Publication date: 2004-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2021-01-15
Also published as: AU1500701A

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors: PPI CORPORATION PTY LTD (ACN 010 656 005) David lan CHAPPELL Cameron Hunter JOHNSTON CULLEN CO., Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 239 George Street, Brisbane, QId. 4000, Australia.

Address for Service: Invention Title: A MERCHANDISING DISPLAY UNIT The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: A MERCHANDISING DISPLAY UNIT FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to an interlocking set of elements which can be formed from extruded plastics and which can be fitted together to form elongate tubes which can be interlocked together to form a tube array which can be used as a merchandising display, for instance to support and display elongate members (such as pipes and tubes). The invention need not be limited to a merchandising display and can include an array of tubular members which can be releasably connected together to hold, store or display other articles such as wine bottles, brooms, tools and the like. The invention will be described with reference to its use as a merchandising display but no limitation is meant thereby.

BACKGROUND ART Merchandising displays are widely used at retail outlets. For instance, hardware stores commonly display articles for sale in a merchandising unit. The present invention is directed to a particular type of merchandising unit which comprises tubular members which can be attached together to form an array of interconnected tubular members. This unit finds particular use for the display of discrete lengths of water pipe, and particularly to risers which are used in micro-irrigation systems.

One disadvantage with merchandising display units is the complexity and cost in the manufacture of the unit. Often, the unit is manufactured from many different parts which must be carefully assembled.

Commonly, the parts are not interchangeable.

Another disadvantage with merchandising display units is that many units have a fixed size and shape and are not able to be made larger or smaller in a quick and easy manner.

Another disadvantage with merchandising display units is that when not required, or during storage of the unit, the unit cannot be knocked down into a compact and easily stackable, storable and transportable size.

Another disadvantage with many merchandising display units is 3 that the unit is not easily adaptable to display articles of different lengths and sizes.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a unit which can be assembled quickly and easily and which can be made larger or smaller in a quick and easy manner and which can be assembled from relatively few parts. The unit has particular use with the storage and display of elongate members such as pipes, rods, and the like.

In one form, the invention resides in an elongate member which can be connected to other elongate members to form a tubular member, the elongate member having a body part having at least two longitudinal side edges, each side edge having a first attachment means to attach the side edge to a side edge of another elongate member, the body part having a second attachment means to attach the body part to the body part of another elongate member.

In another form, the invention resides in a tubular member formed from a plurality of elongate members, each elongate member having a body part having at least two longitudinal side edges, each side edge having a first attachment means to attach the side edge to a side edge of another elongate member, the body part having a second attachment means to attach the body part to the body part of another elongate member, the elongate members being attached to each other via the longitudinal side edges to form the tubular member.

In another form, the invention resides in an array of tubular 25 members which are connected together, each tubular member being formed from a plurality of elongate members, each member having a body part having at least two longitudinal side edges, each side edge having a first attachment means to attach the side edge to a side edge of another elongate member, the body part having a second attachment means to attach the body part to the body part of another elongate member.

In another form, the invention resides in a merchandising display unit formed from an array of tubular members as described above.

The elongate member can be formed by various means. For instance, the member may be extruded, bent, roll-formed and the like. For use to display plastic water pipe for micro-irrigation systems, it is preferred that the elongate members formed from extruded plastics.

The length of the elongate member can vary to suit the length of the article to be supported and display. Typically, the length will be between 10cm-200cm. The width of the elongate member can vary to suit the crosssection size or diameter of the tubular member which is formed from the interconnection of a plurality of the elongate members. A typical crosssection size or diameter of a formed tubular member will be between 10-30 cm. The thickness of the elongate member should be such to allow the elongate member to be self-supporting and to not buckle under normal use conditions. A typical thickness may be between 3 mm-10 mm.

The elongate member is typically formed from plastic such as polyethylene, PVC, although its can also be formed from other plastics or non-plastic material such as metal.

To minimise the number of separate parts in the formed unit, the elongate members which are connected together to form the tubular members may be identical or substantially identical to each other.

For instance, the elongate member may be L-shaped or substantially L-shaped. A number of such elongate members may be connected together adjacent their longitudinal side edges to form a tube.

Typically, two, three or four such members are connected to form a tube.

The elongate member may comprise two wings or parts which are angled with respect to each other at angles which at other than degrees. For instance, two elongate members may be joined to each other to form a tube having a square cross-section or rectangle cross-section where each elongate member is substantially L shaped in configuration. However, if the elongate member is formed from two parts which are angled at angles which are larger than 90 degrees, it is possible to form a polygonal tube formed from three such members joined together.

The elongate member may be semi-circular in shape such that two such members can be joined together to form a cylindrical tube.

Alternatively, the elongate member may be curved into a part circle such that three or more of such members are joined together to form a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical tube.

A said elongate side edge of a elongate member can be attached to a said elongate side member of another elongate member by a two-part coupling means where one part is on the side edge of one elongate member and the other part is on the side edge of the other elongate member.

Various types of two parts coupling means can be used. A preferred type is a press fit two part coupling which comprises at least one channel or recess extending along one elongate side edge and at least one projection which projects from the other elongate side edge and which can be press fitted into the at least one channel. In a simple form, a single longitudinal channel forms part of one elongate side edge, and a single "o-longitudinal projection or rib forms part of the other elongate side edge.

In a preferred arrangement, the elongate member has one part ooo* 2 of the two-part coupling means on one of its elongate side edges and the 20 other part of the two-part coupling means on the other of its elongate side edges. This can allow identical elongate members to be coupled together to form the tubes which may be cylindrical, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, or have other polygonal shapes depending on the shape of the elongate members which make up the tube.

25 As well as the side edges of an elongate member being attachable to the side edges of adjacent elongate members, the invention also contemplates attachment of the body part of an elongate member to the body part of an adjacent elongate member. In one form, this can be achieved by a two part connecting arrangement which can comprise a projection on the body part of one elongate member which connects with a recess or slot in the body part of an adjacent elongate member. The projection preferably 6 comprises a longitudinal projection which can be extruded with the elongate member, but may also comprise a plurality of separate or at least partially separate projections. Similarly, the recess or slot preferably comprises a longitudinal recess or slot which can be extruded with the elongate member, but may also comprise a plurality of separate or at least partially separate recesses or slots.

In order to allow the elongate members to be interchangeable, it is preferred that a elongate member has both parts of the two-part connecting arrangement. For instance, a elongate member may be extruded with both the longitudinal projection and a longitudinal slot which is typically spaced away from the longitudinal projection.

The two-part connecting arrangement may comprise a slide together arrangement where the two parts are connected by sliding the projection along the recess or slot. In this manner, the parts cannot be separated by pulling them apart but can only be separated by sliding them away from each other.

***BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to 2 the following drawings in which: 20 Figure 1 illustrates a hexagonal tubular member formed from three elongate members.

Figure 2 illustrates a base insert which can fit inside the tubular member of Figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates the base insert of Figure 2 in plan.

25 Figure 4 illustrates the base insert being fitted to the tubular member of Figure 1.

Figure 5 illustrates the base insert fited to the tubular member of Figure 1.

Figure 6 illustrates an array of tubular members displaying micro-irrigation risers.

Figure 7 illustrates an elongate member according to a second embodiment.

Figure 8 illustrates a tubular member formed from three interconnected elongate members illustrated in Figure 7.

Figures 9-20 illustrate various different types of tubular arrays.

BEST MODE Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated in cross-section a hexagonal tubular member 10. Tubular member 10 is formed from three elongate members 11-13. Each elongate member 11-13 is identical to each other elongate member which allows the tubular member 10 to be assembled lo from a number of identical parts. This simplifies assembly, manufacture, transport and storage. Each elongate member 11-13 is formed from extruded plastic material which can be cut to length, with a typical length being between 20cm-150cm. The wall thickness is approximately 3 mm. Each elongate member 11-13 has a main body part which is angled and therefore has two wings or portions 14, 15. Each wing 14, 15 is substantially planar and the two wings define an angle of 120 degrees relative to each other.

i Each elongate member 11-13 has two longitudinal side edges 16, 17. The longitudinal side edges 16, 17 are formed with attachment means to allow the longitudinal side edges 16, 17 to be coupled with longitudinal side edges of 2o adjacent elongate members. In the embodiment, the attachment means is a two-part attachment means. Longitudinal side edge 17 is formed with a longitudinal channel 18 while the other longitudinal side edge 16 is formed with a longitudinal projection or rib 19. These two components can snap together to attach the longitudinal side edges to each other. When the three elongate members 11-13 are attached together in this manner, a hexagonal tubular member 10 is formed. The elongate members can stack neatly and compactly when not required.

The main body part of each elongate member has a second attachment means to allow the body part of one elongate member to be attached to the body part of another elongate member. In the embodiment, the main body part of each elongate member is provided with a two-part connecting arrangement which comprises a projection 21 and a slot 22.

Projection 21 is extruded with the elongate member and is therefore a longitudinal projection. The projection 21 is T shaped. Slot 22 is similarly extruded with the elongate member and is therefore a longitudinal slot which has an inverted T-shape. The construction and arrangement is such that the projection 21 can slide and be captured by the profile of slot 22. This allows adjacent formed tubular members to be coupled together. As each elongate member is provided with a projection 21 and a slot 22, the tubular member illustrated in Figure 1 is provided with three projections 21 and three slots 22 which allows great versatility in attaching adjacent tubular members together.

Occasionally it may be necessary to provide a base or floor somewhere along the inside of the tubular member. This will allow the tubular member to be of adequate length (for instance waist height) for ease of consumer selection, and by having a floor fitted inside the tubular member somewhere along its length, the tubular member can display shorter articles.

In the absence of an intermediate floor, the tubular member would either have to be of a shorter length, or a customer would need to reach down into the tubular member to select a article.

*e to Figure 2 and Figure 3, there is illustrated a base or floor 24. The floor 24 has a generally hexagonal shape to fit within the hexagonal tubular member illustrated in Figure 1. Of course, if the tubular member has a different profile, floor 24 would also have a different profile.

The floor 24 has three indentations or recesses 25 which are provided to accommodate the internally extending slots 22. Three snap fit lugs 26 are 25 provided on floor 24. These lugs 26 snap fit into pre-drilled holes 27 on tubular member 10. This is best illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 Holes 27 can be formed at any desired position along tubular member 10. Holes 27 in Figure 4 are drilled relatively close to the upper end 27 of tubular member such that floor 24 is also locked adjacent the upper end. This allows a relatively long tubular member to display relatively short articles 28, with the article still projecting above upper end 27A and therefore more easily viewed and chosen by a customer.

Figure 6 illustrates an array of tubular members 10 each displaying articles 28.

Figure 7 and Figure 8 illustrate a elongate member with an alternative design. This elongate member 30 differs in that the main body part is formed from three angled planar parts being parts 31-33. Part 31 has the longitudinal slot 22, part 32 has the longitudinal T shaped projection 21, part 33 has a longitudinal side edge 34 which has a longitudinal channel, and part 31 has a longitudinal side edge 35 which has a longitudinal projection which couples with a longitudinal channel on an adjacent elongate member.

Three such members 30 are snap fitted together to form a hexagonal tubular member as illustrated in Figure 8 Figures 9-20 illustrate various different types of tubular arrays showing the versatility of the arrangement which forms part of the invention.

The tubular arrays can be used in an upright manner as illustrated in the drawings and find particular use to display micro-irrigation water pipe or tubes. The arrays can also be used to display other types of elongate articles such as handles. The arrays can be used in an inclined or °ooo horizontal manner for instance for use as a wine rack and the like.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

oeoo

Claims

1. A elongate member which can be connected to other elongate members to form a tubular member, the elongate member having a body part having at least two longitudinal side edges, each side edge having a first attachment means to attach the side edge to a side edge of another elongate member, the body part having a second attachment means to attach the body part to the body part of another elongate member.

2. The elongate member of claim 1, wherein the elongate member is formed from extruded plastics. io 3. The elongate member of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the member has a length of between 10cm-200cm.

4. The elongate member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the member is between 3mm-10mm. The elongate member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is L shaped or substantially L-shaped.

6. The elongate member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate member has two wings which are angled with respect to each other at an angle of about 120 degrees.

7. The elongate member as claimed in any one of the preceding 20 claims, which is semi-circular in shape such that two such members can be a.. joined together to form a cylindrical tube.

8. The elongate member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a said elongate side edge of a elongate member can be attached to a said elongate side member of another elongate member by a two-part coupling means where one part is on the side edge of one elongate member and the other part is on the side edge of the other elongate member. S9. The elongate member as claimed in claim 8, wherein the coupling means comprises at least one channel or recess extending along one elongate side edge and at least one projection which projects from the 30 other elongate side edge and which can be press fitted into the at least one ae.. channel. The elongate member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a single longitudinal channel forms part of one elongate side 11 edge, and a single longitudinal projection or rib forms part of the other elongate side edge.

11. The elongate member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate member has one part of the two-part coupling means on one of its elongate side edges and the other part of the two-part coupling means on the other of its elongate side edges.

12. The elongate member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second attachment means comprises a two part connecting arrangement which has a projection on the body part of one elongate member which connects with a recess or slot in the body part of an adjacent elongate member.

13. The elongate member as claimed in claim 12, wherein the projection comprises a longitudinal projection which is extruded with the elongate member.

14. The elongate member as claimed in claim 9, wherein the recess or slot comprises a longitudinal recess or slot which is extruded with the elongate member. The elongate member as claimed in any one of claims 12-14, wherein the two-part connecting arrangement comprises a slide together arrangement where the two parts are connected by sliding the projection along the recess or slot. oooo

16. A tubular member formed by the connection of at least 2 elongate members as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

17. The member of claim 16, comprising 2,3, or 4 elongate members connected together.

18. The member of claim 16 or 17 wherein the member has an internal cross section of between 5cm-50cm.

19. The member of any one of claims 16-18, wherein the member has a shape which is cylindrical, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, or 0 C0le ooo• 00o0 polygonal. The tubular member of any one of claims 16-19 formed from a plurality of elongate members, each elongate member having a body part having at least two longitudinal side edges, each side edge having a first attachment means to attach the side edge to a side edge of another elongate member, the body part having a second attachment means to attach the body part to the body part of another elongate member, the elongate members being attached to each other via the longitudinal side edges to form the tubular member.

21. An array of tubular members which are connected together, the members being as claimed in any one of claims 16-20.

22. An array of tubular members which are connected together, each tubular member being formed from a plurality of elongate members, each member having a body part having at least two longitudinal side edges, each side edge having a first attachment means to attach the side edge to a side edge of another elongate member, the body part having a second attachment means to attach the body part to the body part of another elongate member. A merchandising display unit formed from an array of tubular 20 members as described above.

24. The tubular member as claimed in any one of claims 16-20, *****including a floor which is fitted inside the tubular member. The member of claim 24, wherein the floor has at least one projection, and the tubular member has a sidewall formed with at least one 25 means to engage with the projection to attach the floor to the tubular member.

26. An elongate member substantially as hereinbefore described o: with reference to the drawings.

27. A tubular member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

28. An array of tubular members substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. 13

29. A merchandising unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. DATED this 15th day of January 2001 PPI CORPORATION PTY LTD (ACN 010 656 005) By their Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO. se 0