CN116888654A - Fixing element for fixing or fastening a display unit to a carrier device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening element for fastening or securing a display unit, preferably an electronic display unit, particularly preferably an electronic price and/or product information display unit, to a carrier device, preferably configured as a pallet track, wherein the fastening element has at least one locking element which can be moved in and out, preferably configured as a pin, which in its out position is held by a spring arranged in the fastening element and can be moved against the force of the spring into the in position, characterized in that the fastening element is realized as a separate fastening module.

Description

Fixing element for fixing or fastening a display unit to a carrier device

Technical Field

Background

DE68902399T2 discloses an electronic display unit, which is also referred to as an electronic shelf label or ESL for short, and which has a retractable locking element as a component of its fastening element, which is integrated in the structure of the ESL and serves to fasten the ESL to the shelf rail. The locking element protrudes from the housing of the ESL and is intended to be snapped into a groove or recess (aussaparu) or hole of a correspondingly configured pallet track. The locking element may be pulled in by means of a separate special tool which is in direct contact with the ESL, so that the ESL may be removed from or displaced along the shelf rail. With this measure, the ESL can be locked in a predetermined position at the shelf rail, so that removal from the shelf rail, theft of the ESL and displacement along the shelf rail can be reliably prevented, or can only be achieved by those who have access to special tools.

However, known ESLs have proven disadvantageous in use because they necessarily require specially constructed shelf rails for embedding.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention therefore proposes the following tasks: an improved fixation element, an improved ESL and a system with such an ESL fixed at a carrier system are provided, which system can be used more flexibly.

This object is achieved by a fastening element according to claim 1. The invention is therefore based on a fastening element for fastening or securing a display unit, preferably an electronic display unit, particularly preferably an electronic price and/or product information display unit, to a carrier device, which is preferably designed as a shelf rail, wherein the fastening element has at least one locking element which can be moved in and out, preferably designed as a pin, which is held in its moved-out position by a spring arranged in the fastening element and can be moved against the force of the spring into the moved-in position, characterized in that the fastening element is realized as a separate module.

Furthermore, the task is solved by an electronic display according to claim 9. The invention is therefore based on a display unit, preferably an electronic display unit, particularly preferably an electronic price and/or product information display unit, having a housing, characterized in that the housing has a housing structure and is designed to accommodate a fastening element, which is realized as a separate fastening module, wherein the fastening element is used to fasten the display unit to a carrier, which is preferably designed as a shelf rail.

Furthermore, the task is solved by an electronic display according to claim 14. The invention is therefore based on a system comprising a display unit according to the invention and a carrier device, which is preferably designed as a shelf rail, to which the display unit is fastened by means of a locking element of a fastening element accommodated in a housing structure of the display unit, wherein the carrier device has at least one recess into which the locking element enters.

The invention thus provides a modularly insertable fastening element which can be selectively inserted into a display unit and removed again from the display unit.

The measure according to the invention therefore brings the following advantages: the display unit can be flexibly embedded at different types of shelf rails. The display unit with the embedded fastening element can therefore be embedded in a specially constructed pallet track, which has a corresponding design in order to be able to interact with the locking element in such a way that the display unit is locked in terms of its position along the pallet track and also in terms of its position on the pallet track in order to prevent removal therefrom. Likewise, the display unit can also be embedded without a fastening element in another pallet track without such a special construction.

Logistical or economic advantages are also obtained thereby: the type of pallet track to be installed can be flexibly adapted to customer expectations, wherein the same display unit design is always used despite the installation of different types of pallet tracks, however with embedded fastening elements at a time and without such fastening elements at a time. Thus, the "economies of scale" aspect of the display unit forming the cost driver in the system is effective, i.e., a cost advantage is created where the number of unique construction modes is large.

Further particularly advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention result from the dependent claims and the following description.

Preferably, the spring is configured as a coil spring. However, the spring may also be realized by a leaf spring or by an elastic band or the like.

The display may be configured as a simple paper-based or plastic-based label on which information about the product, service and/or price is displayed. However, it preferably relates to an electronic display unit.

Such an electronic display unit has electronic means for receiving data and reproducing image content in readable form with an electronic screen, said image content being transmitted by means of said data. Such an electronic device, its communication behaviour (i.e. the radio protocol used therein) comprises a screen, as disclosed for example on pages 2-32 in WO2015/124197, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Preferably, an extremely energy-saving electrophoretic screen is used as the screen. However, active screens, such as LCD or OLED screens, may also be used. In addition to the battery-operated mode of operation described there, the electronic display unit can also be supplied with electrical energy by means of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology or Power over WiFi technology or the like. The data communication with the electronic display may also be achieved not only by radio-based (e.g. by means of NFC, zigBee, bluetooth or by means of a proprietary radio protocol according to WO2015/124197, etc.), but also by wired means, as is known for example from WO2017/153481Al, the disclosure of which is also incorporated by reference.

The electronic device and also the screen and, if applicable, the electric energy reservoir are arranged in the housing of the display unit. The screen may be covered with a protective window, which then forms part of the housing, or the screen itself may be used as a housing part if the protective window is omitted. The housing may also be composed entirely or partially of a transparent material that encases and protects the screen.

The housing has fastening means by means of which the display unit can be fastened to the support structure or the support device.

The carrier structure or carrier means can be realized in various ways. For example, it may relate to a table riser (tisclafstatter) which may stand on a counter or be fastened thereto. It is also possible to construct the support structure as a clothing hanger (Kleidungsanhaenger), which can be fastened there by hanging on a garment. However, for the reasons of compactness of the description of the invention, reference is made below only to pallet tracks as a preferred construction of the carrying structure.

The shelf rail may have along its longitudinal extension: a first (e.g. lower) fixed rail with an end section protruding in a hook-like manner in its cross section; and a second (for example upper) fastening rail with openings, which are also or alternatively slit-like or slot-like and are arranged with a grid along the shelf rail, wherein the two fastening rails are arranged at a distance from one another such that the display unit can be inserted between the two fastening rails. The connecting webs can be formed between the fastening rails and further elements for fastening the pallet rail to the pallet base can be provided, for example as the front end (abschalss) thereof.

In order to enable the display unit to now be connected (if possible also force-fitted) to the shelf rail, i.e. locked in its position, the fastening means of the housing have, for example, a (lower) groove into which the (lower) first fastening rail can engage with its hooked end section. The display unit which is first of all inserted with its housing section or housing end and held there can then be pressed with its other housing section or housing end into the carrier rail to such an extent that the locking element of the fastening element engages in one of the preferably hole-shaped recesses of the second fastening rail. Since these recesses are arranged at equidistant intervals from one another along the longitudinal extension of the pallet track, i.e. in a grid, it may be necessary, if appropriate, to move the display unit slightly to the left or to the right, whereby the position of the locking element coincides with the position of one of the recesses and can be entered or snapped into it.

The fastening element and also the housing structure into which the fastening element can be introduced can be configured such that after the first insertion of the fastening module a permanent connection is made between the housing and the fastening module. This can occur, for example, by one or more hooks which engage the projections from behind and which can no longer be disengaged after this, except for the destructive forces.

The fastening element realized as a fastening module is preferably designed or shaped in such a way that it can be inserted or plugged (in particular repeatedly) into a housing structure of the housing of the display unit, which corresponds to the shape of the fastening module. This means that the outer shape of the fastening module is adapted to the shape of the housing structure, i.e. both shapes are produced, for example, by a curved shape, in particular a cylindrical shape, or an angular shape, in particular a rectangular shape, which can be guided or pushed into each other. The shape of the housing structure may here have a constant diameter along its longitudinal extension. Preferably, the shape of the housing structure has an inwardly tapering trend. The shape of the fastening module is also adapted to this shape profile and therefore has a wedge-like or (truncated) cone-like shape. This facilitates the manual introduction of the fixing module into the housing structure and also ensures the machine assembly process. In the case of a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, it may also be advantageous if, in the transition between the sides of the fastening module, a chamfer is formed at least along the longitudinal edges of the fastening module, i.e. a substantially shorter connecting surface extending at an angle of, for example, 45 ° is formed between the sides.

The fastening module and also the housing structure can also be designed such that the fastening module (which engages with sufficient pressure into the housing structure) engages into the housing structure, for example, by means of a plug-in or clip mechanism. Such a fastening means is understood to be a plug connection, so that the fastening module can be removed again from the housing structure when a corresponding tensile force is applied (which overcomes the joining of the plug connection). With regard to this fastening of the fastening module in the housing structure, a preferred embodiment is also to be noted in which the plug-in mechanism or the clip mechanism is accessible from outside the housing of the display unit. In this case, the plugging or clipping action can be dimensioned or designed such that it cannot be overcome by simple manual tightening of the fastening module. The fastening module can be removed again from the housing structure only by using a tool that disengages the plug-in mechanism or the clip mechanism. This is advantageous if temporary irreversibility of the securing module in the housing structure is desired and for the retention that a normal consumer cannot overcome without using violence.

The housing structure and also the fastening module can furthermore be designed without any plug-in or clip mechanism, so that the fastening module can be simply inserted into the housing structure without any holding action by such a mechanism and can interact there essentially flush with the housing structure and can be removed therefrom again simply by applying a pulling force (or by being pulled out), without having to overcome any minimum forces caused by the plug-in or clip action.

Another aspect relates to: the locking element is pulled into its moved-in position. This may be accomplished, for example, by means of special external members or tools with which the locking element is moved by direct or indirect mechanical manipulation. However, it has proven to be particularly advantageous to provide a magnetic or magnetizable component, in particular a ferromagnetic component, for the movement of the locking element, particularly preferably by the locking element itself, so that the locking element can be moved into the moved-in position against the force of the spring as a result of the action of an external magnetic force on the magnetic or magnetizable component. The external magnetic force may be generated, for example, by a separate appliance with an electromagnet or by a permanent magnet. The appliance is held to the display unit and the effect of external magnetic forces can displace and/or rotate the magnetic or magnetizable member provided in the stationary module in terms of its position. The component can be coupled to the locking element, i.e. connected to each other or simply positioned only against each other. By coupling with the locking element, the movement of the magnetic or magnetizable member is converted into a translational or rotational movement of the locking element, so that the locking element is moved from the removal position into the insertion position, wherein the spring interacting with the locking element is simultaneously tensioned. As soon as the external magnetic force is removed, the locking element is moved again into the removal position by the spring force of the tensioned spring. Preferably, the locking element itself implements a magnetic or magnetizable member. This means that the magnetic force exerted by the external means acts directly on the locking element. Particularly preferably, the locking element is composed of ferromagnetic steel. Thus, a possibly strong and durable one-piece construction is provided.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the fastening element has an outer sleeve or cage in which both the spring and the locking element are accommodated and which protrudes from the sleeve, for example on the head side, at least in the removal position. If the magnetic or magnetizable member is realized as a detachment from the locking element, it is advantageous if the magnetic or magnetizable member, and possibly other members or components required for the function, are also accommodated within the sleeve, whereby it is protected by the sleeve. The sleeve wall of the sleeve can be embodied as a complete surface, or can also be embodied as a perforated surface, or can also be embodied free at least on one side, i.e. not completely surrounding the interior of the sleeve.

Another aspect relates to the support of a spring, wherein the spring supports the locking element in the removed position at the sleeve. The spring is therefore not supported at any place at the housing of the display unit where the fixing module is accommodated, but is arranged both structurally and functionally within the sleeve, so that the fixing module can also function completely outside the display unit. In this way, the spring can be supported, for example, on the bottom side at the inner side of the sleeve or can co-act with a further component which itself is supported at the inner side of the sleeve and from there with the locking element. Preferably, the spring is located on a pin section which is only a few millimeters long and which is formed in the sleeve on the bottom side or on the foot side. The other end of the spring interacts with the locking element directly or via an intermediate element in the sleeve. The spring is dimensioned such that it holds the locking element in its removal position in a substantially completely or at least partially relaxed state, i.e. in an at least slightly preloaded state.

The locking element is guided inside the sleeve by means of a guide, in particular a box-shaped or tubular or sledge-shaped or rail-shaped guide, and can be moved along the guide between an out-position and an in-position. This measure also takes into account the fact that the stationary module acts autonomously. The mechanical guidance of the locking element mentioned here essentially ensures that the locking element is guided or held at a suitable angle or at a suitable orientation, in order to allow the fastening element to reliably interact with the support structure even when it is used in the display unit as intended. By means of the guide, it is also possible to intercept lateral forces acting on the part of the locking element protruding from the fastening module. The sleeve preferably forms a box-shaped or tubular guide with its wall, and the locking element itself has a sled-shaped guide at least with its part located in the sleeve, which is essentially configured to fit the box-shaped or tubular guide and thus enables sliding of the locking element in the sleeve between the extended position and the moved-in position. Furthermore, the ski-like guide formed by the locking element can also accommodate a spring, which is preferably designed as a helical spring, in its interior. The spring then interacts with the sleeve at its first end (as already described above) and with the locking element at its second end. The spring is thus positioned between the two borders in a clamped manner and is held laterally by the ski-like guide, if appropriate also by the wall of the sleeve, so that it cannot be deflected in the lateral direction when it is tensioned. The structural elements which spatially surround the spring thus form a spring cage which holds the spring in its set position in the fixed module.

The movement of the locking element may be limited by the bottom of the cartridge or by an end stop of the sleeve near the bottom. Preferably, the fastening module has a head-side cover with a cover opening, wherein the locking element protrudes through the cover opening at least in its removal position. The cover protects the inside of the stationary module from contamination or the like. The cover opening can also, for example, substantially form-fittingly enclose the locking element in order to keep the gap between the opening edge and the locking element, which gap is required for the movement of the locking element, as small as possible without adversely affecting the movement capacity of the locking element. In this context, it may also be advantageous if the locking element has two different widths when viewed in the longitudinal direction. For example, a relatively elongate, for example, possibly spike-like, end region of the locking element can be provided, which is adapted in terms of its dimensions to the shape of the recess of the carrier and is provided for the insertion into the recess of the carrier. The elongate end region can transition into a wider portion of the locking element which is present mainly within the sleeve and which is adapted, for example, to the cover opening in order to be able to slide therein. Preferably, the wider portion of the locking element transitions into the guide of the ski-like configuration of the locking element.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the fastening element has a side wall adjacent to the cover part, in which side wall a recess (h or slot) is provided, which is configured or shaped in such a way that the locking element can be inserted into the fastening element or removed therefrom. This measure ensures that the individual components of the fastening module can be assembled and brought into the fastening module as easily as possible. At the same time, it is ensured that the fastening module which is functionally impaired can be removed as easily as possible, if necessary cleaned, or damaged parts can be replaced. Thus, such a fixed module is extremely maintenance friendly. The side wall openings are preferably configured over a large area in such a way that the guide of the ski-like structure of the fastening module, when the fastening module has been inserted into the well (Schacht), is guided through the sleeve on three sides and on the remaining fourth side, i.e. where the side wall openings are left free, through the sides of the well of the housing of the display unit. This is an extremely material-saving design of the fastening module.

As regards the display unit, it can be provided that the housing structure can advantageously be configured as an outwardly open receiving well corresponding to the mentioned sleeve-like shape of the fastening module. If the dimensions of the receiving well of the housing and the dimensions of the sleeve of the fastening module are coordinated with each other with corresponding precision, a reliable and in particular substantially play-free positioning of the display unit at the carrier structure can be ensured. This mainly relates to the positional accuracy of the positioning surface transverse to the carrier structure or the carrier device, at which positioning surface the back side of the display unit is positioned when the display unit is embedded in the carrier structure.

The depth dimension of the housing structure may also be important for reliable functioning of the stationary module. It is therefore furthermore advantageous if the housing structure, in particular the receiving well, is dimensioned in such a way, in particular so deeply, that the locking element of the fastening module protrudes beyond the outer edge of the housing structure at least in the region of the housing structure in the removed position thereof when the fastening module is completely inserted into the housing structure. It is thereby ensured that the locking element can interact with the carrier structure in a planned manner, wherein the length of the portion of the locking element protruding beyond the edge should of course be dimensioned accordingly in order to be able to engage securely in the recess of the carrier in the removal position.

In order to achieve a running duration of the display unit which is as long as possible and which is not influenced by the environment (for example, dust and liquids), it may furthermore be advantageous if the housing, in particular the housing structure, i.e. in particular the housing well seals the display unit. By this measure, problematic areas of the fastening element compared to conventional display units can be sealed or sealed, rather than requiring the fastening element to be omitted, since it can be used as a separate fastening module. Based on this measure, a circumferentially sealed housing can now also be realized. The housing can thus be realized completely encapsulated (except for a battery receiving region into which a battery can be inserted and from which the battery can be removed for replacement of the battery). For producing the encapsulated housing, the components of the display unit can first be inserted into the open housing part, and the housing parts can then be connected to one another inseparably.

In particular, in the case of the mentioned open-sided configuration of the housing well, the housing well can be rinsed with a cleaning liquid (e.g. water) in the event of contamination.

The display unit, the fastening module, the subsystem for use in the system according to the invention defined at the outset can thus be formed with fastening elements embodied as fastening modules embedded in the housing structure.

In summary, it is provided that the solution according to the invention differs substantially from the known solutions in which the housing must have an opening into the interior of the display unit, from which opening the locking element protrudes. The known problem is thus solved by the solution according to the invention that most of the electronic components inside the display unit as well as the mechanical components of the fixing element are exposed unprotected to external environmental conditions. The solution according to the invention thus ensures that: for example, liquid or even dust-like or particle-like foreign bodies can no longer enter the interior of the housing of the display unit and thus the function of the electronic device and thus the readability of the display are no longer adversely affected.

Even if the substances that enter into the fastening module according to the invention cause the locking element to be disturbed or to be inoperative in terms of its function, the locking element can be brought back into play by cleaning, which can be carried out simply and quickly. It is thus possible to exclude a situation in which the entire display unit would need to be replaced due to a malfunction of the fixing element, as is the case in the known solutions.

Finally, it is also mentioned that the locking element can also have a plurality of individual projections which can be moved abruptly between an out-of-position and an in-position. The locking element may also be incorporated into the fixing element a plurality of times. The fixing element can be adapted accordingly in terms of its size and shape. Furthermore, the display unit may be configured to accommodate a plurality of fixing elements.

These and other aspects of the invention are achieved by the figures discussed below.

Drawings

The invention is explained in more detail below by means of examples again with reference to the drawings, to which, however, the invention is not limited. Here, in different drawings, the same components are provided with the same reference numerals.

Wherein:

fig. 1 shows, in a schematic manner, a display unit and a fixing element detached in parts from a first view;

fig. 2 shows, in a schematic manner, the display unit according to fig. 1 and the fastening element detached in parts from a second perspective;

fig. 3 shows a display unit and an assembled fastening element in a schematic manner from the perspective of fig. 1;

fig. 4 shows in a schematic way a display unit with an embedded modular fastening element in a view according to fig. 1;

fig. 5 shows in a schematic way a display unit embedded in a shelf rail and fixed there by means of a fixing element in a third view;

fig. 6 shows in a schematic way the use of a special tool for removing a display unit from a shelf rail;

fig. 7 shows in a schematic way the back side of the display unit, with the battery receiving area open and looking at the embedded fastening element;

fig. 8 shows an enlarged view of the detail area of fig. 7 in a schematic manner;

fig. 9 shows the assembled fastening element in a schematic manner;

fig. 10 shows in a schematic way the fixing elements disassembled into individual parts;

fig. 11 shows in a schematic way a sleeve of a fixation element in a first view;

fig. 12 shows the sleeve in a schematic way at a second view angle.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an electronic display unit 1 in a viewing direction from obliquely behind, which display unit has an outwardly open housing structure on its upwardly oriented side, wherein the housing structure is realized as a receiving well 2 having a substantially rectangular cross section and serves to receive a fastening element which is provided separately from the display unit 1 and is designed as a fastening module 3. The fixing module 3 can be seen in an exploded view in fig. 1, which shows the constituent parts of the fixing module 3, which are discussed in more detail later. Fig. 2 also shows a combined illustration of this type, which is composed of the display unit 1 and the fixing module 3, but viewed from a diagonally forward viewing direction.

In fig. 3, the assembled fastening module 3 can now be seen in the viewing direction according to fig. 1 above the receiving well 2, and fig. 4 shows the display unit 1 together with the fastening module 3 pushed into the receiving well 2 in the same viewing direction.

Fig. 5 further shows a display unit 1 embedded in the shelf rail 4 in a visual manner. The display unit 1 and the pallet track 4 can be seen here in a side view. Such a shelf rail 4 is usually fixed at the front end of the shelf bottom of the shelf at the place of business of the retailer, whereby the meaning of "up" and "down" is created below in accordance with the azimuth of use of the usual language. Thus, "upper" refers to the direction against gravity, and "lower" refers to the direction along gravity. If the display unit 1 is held differently from that shown in fig. 5, these directional illustrations represent other sides or portions of the display unit 1 accordingly.

In general, it can be provided that the display unit 1 has a screen 5 on its front side, which is accommodated in a housing 6 together with the electronics which are not visible, i.e. are arranged inside.

At the back side of the display unit 1, the case 6 has a battery accommodation region 7A for accommodating a battery (not visible) protruding from a screen trim region 7B of the case 6, which trims the screen 5 at the back side. Between these two areas 7A and 7B of the housing 6 a first (upper) groove 8 and a second (lower) groove 9 are formed. The two grooves extend along the transition of the two regions 7A and 7B and extend between the two lateral ends of the battery receiving region 7A. The receiving well 2 is located at the center of the upper recess 8, so that the fixing module 3 can be seen from above, and at least a part of the locking element 11 of the fixing module 3, which is embodied as a pin 10 on the end side, protrudes beyond the outer edge of the receiving well 2, as can be seen in fig. 4 and 5.

As can be seen in fig. 5, the pallet track 4 has: a (lower) first fixed rail 12 having a hooked end section 13 extending along the entire longitudinal extension of the first fixed rail; and (upper) second fixed rail 14 having hole-like recesses 15 located at equidistant intervals from each other along the width of the longitudinal extension of the pallet rail 4, wherein in the present case the pin 10 is shown as being introduced into one of these hole-like recesses 15. The hook-shaped end section 13 engages into the lower recess 9 as seen from below and holds the display unit 1 securely from below, but also securely at a constant distance from the shelf rail 4. The lower fixed rail 12 only allows a freely selected movement or positioning of the display unit 1 along the longitudinal extension of the pallet rail 4, wherein of course this movement is only possible if the pin portion 10 does not enter into one of the hole-like recesses 15.

Fig. 5 also shows a system with at least one display unit 1 embedded in a shelf rail 4.

In fig. 6 it is now shown how the special tool 16 is positioned at the lower half of the display unit 1 and how the ferromagnetic locking element 11 is moved into its moved-in position by means of the magnetic force generated by the special tool. The display unit 1 thus unlocked from the pallet track 4 at its upper edge can now be held as before by the pallet track 4 at its lower edge, wherein its upper edge is tilted out of the pallet track 4 to the left and away from the pallet track 4. The special tool 16 has a magnet (not shown in detail) which is dimensioned or selected in terms of the magnetic force it is to generate in such a way that the force application range exceeds the distance which is defined by the geometry of the display unit 1 and which is present between the locking element and the magnet in order to move the locking element.

Fig. 7 shows a display unit 1 in which the housing wall of the battery receiving region 7A is removed from the housing 6. Thus two batteries 17 in contact with the contact element 18 can be seen. Between the batteries 17, a receiving well 2 is positioned, into which the fixing module 3 is inserted. As can be clearly seen in this view, the housing wall of the battery receiving area 7A forms part of the receiving well 2. In this view, a spiral spring 19 is also clearly visible, which is arranged inside the securing module 3 and holds the locking element 11 in its removal position in its substantially relaxed state (except for slight pretensioning). It is also mentioned here that the spiral spring 19 can also be seen in fig. 1 and 2, but is only roughly schematically represented here as a cylinder.

It can also be seen in fig. 7 that the bottom 20 of the receiving well 2 has a bottom opening 21 through which the securing means 22 of the securing module 3 is guided. The fastening means 22 are formed in the present case by two hooks 23 which are located on arms 24 which are elastically bent toward one another, wherein the hooks 23 are oriented away from one another such that they grip the base 20 at the outside of the base, whereby the fastening module 3 is fastened in the receiving well 2. The detail section 25 in fig. 8 enlarges this case, wherein the mentioned reference numerals are associated.

The securing module 3 can be seen in its assembled state in fig. 9 and in its disassembled state as a single component in fig. 10. The sleeve 26, which is essentially rectangular in cross section, can be seen in detail here. Fig. 9 also shows that, with the insertion into the sleeve 26, the helical spring 19 interacts with the locking element 11 on the head side and with the pin 27 on the foot side. The locking element 11, which can be seen in detail in fig. 10, has a sled-like guide 28 into which the spiral spring 19 can be inserted, wherein the sled-like guide is dimensioned in terms of its width, length and depth in such a way that it can be displaced longitudinally within the sleeve 26 (which forms a box-like guide for the locking element 11) between the insertion position and the removal position.

On the head side, the sleeve 26 has a cover 29 which shows a sleeve opening 30, the edge shape of which corresponds to the portion of the locking element 11 which is guided through it, as can be seen in fig. 9.

Fig. 11 and 12 show only the sleeve 26 of the securing module 3 from two different perspectives. The sleeve 26 is open on one side, so that the spiral spring 19 can be inserted there together with the locking element 11. This can be clearly seen in the view of fig. 12. The side sleeve walls 31 each have a guide projection 32 which surrounds the inserted locking element 11 or engages the inserted locking element from behind in order to prevent it from falling out. The transverse sleeve wall 33 of the connecting sleeve wall 31 has a central recess 34 and a wall edge 35 inclined toward the recess 34, which is formed in the region of the inserted coil spring 19 and serves to guide and position the coil spring 19 when the coil spring 19 is inserted.

Finally, it is again pointed out that the figures described in detail above are merely examples which can be modified in various ways by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is further noted for the sake of completeness that the use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude the possibility that the feature concerned may also be present a plurality of times.

Claims (14)

1. A fixing element (3) for fixing a display unit (1),

-preferably an electronic display unit (1),

Particularly preferably, the electronic price and/or product information display unit (1) is fastened or fastened to a carrier device, which is preferably designed as a pallet track (4), wherein the fastening element (3) has at least one movable locking element (10), which is preferably designed as a pin, which is held in its moved-out position by a spring (19) arranged in the fastening element (3) and can be moved against the force of the spring (19) into the moved-in position,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the fastening element (3) is embodied as a fastening module (3) that can be inserted individually.

2. The fastening element (3) according to claim 1, which is configured or shaped in such a way that it can be inserted or plugged into a housing structure (2) of a housing (6) of the display unit (1), which corresponds to the shape of the fastening module (3), in particular in a repeatable manner.

3. The securing element (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein for moving the locking element (10) a magnetic or magnetizable member, in particular a ferromagnetic member, is provided, in particular preferably by the locking element (10) itself, so that the locking element (10) can be moved into the moved-in position against the force of the spring (19) due to the action of an external magnetic force on the magnetic or magnetizable member.

4. The fastening element (3) according to any of the preceding claims, having an outer sleeve (26) or cage in which both the spring (19) and the locking element (10) are accommodated, and in which the locking element (10) protrudes from the sleeve (26) at least in the removal position.

5. The securing element (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring (19) holds the locking element (10) in the removal position supported at the sleeve (26).

6. The securing element (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking element (10) is guided inside the sleeve (26) by means of a guide, in particular a box-shaped or tubular or sledge-shaped or rail-shaped guide, and is movable along the guide between the removal position and the removal position.

7. The fastening element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, having a head-side cover (29) with a cover opening (30), wherein the locking element (10) protrudes through the cover opening (30) at least in its removal position.

8. The fastening element (3) according to any of the preceding claims, having a side wall (31, 33) adjacent to the cover (29), in which side wall a side wall opening is left, which is configured or shaped in such a way that the locking element (10) can be inserted into the fastening element (3) or removed therefrom.

9. A display unit (1),

-preferably an electronic display unit (1),

Particularly preferably as an electronic price and/or product information display unit (1),

the display unit has a housing (6),

the display device is characterized in that the housing (6) has a housing structure (2), and the housing structure (2) is designed to accommodate a fastening element (3) which is realized as a separate fastening module, wherein the fastening element (3) is designed to fasten the display unit (1) to a carrier device, which is preferably designed as a shelf rail (4).

10. The display unit (1) according to claim 9, wherein the housing structure (2) is configured as an outwardly open receiving well (2) corresponding to the sleeve-like shape of the fixing module (3).

11. Display unit (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the housing structure (2) is realized, in particular dimensioned so deeply, that the locking element (10) of the securing module (3) protrudes beyond the outer edge of the housing structure (2) at least in its removed position at the location of the housing structure (2) when the securing module (3) is fully embedded in the housing structure.

12. The display unit (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the housing structure (2) seals the display unit (1).

13. Display unit (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the display unit (1) has a fixation element (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 embodied as a fixation module (3) embedded in the housing structure (2).

14. A system, the system having:

-a display unit (1) according to claim 13, and

-a carrier device (4), which is preferably configured as a pallet track (4), at which the display unit (1) is fixed by means of a locking element (10) of a fixing element (3) accommodated in a housing structure (2) of the display unit (1), wherein the carrier device (4) has at least one recess (15) into which the locking element (10) enters.