EP0005901B1

EP0005901B1 - Wall unit for use in the storage and/or display of articles, and structure incorporating such a unit

Info

Publication number: EP0005901B1
Application number: EP19790300685
Authority: EP
Inventors: Reuben Honickman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-04-25
Filing date: 1979-04-24
Publication date: 1982-08-11
Also published as: CA1081661A; DE2963525D1; EP0005901A2; CA1132491A; EP0005901A3

Description

The invention relates to a wall unit for use in the storage and/or display of articles, for example in a store, and to a structure incorporating such a unit.
The invention has been devised primarily, but not exclusively, in connection with the display of merchandise in stores. Conventional storage and display racks are often not well suited to merchandising applications in that they usually offer only a limited range of merchandise display configurations. For example, in a fixed shelf display rack, while merchandise can be appropriately arranged and rearranged on each shelf, the location of the shelves themselves often cannot be readily changed. In other cases, a complete reconstruction of a display is necessary to change the display configuration. Shelving structures have previously been proposed comprising vertical standards adapted to be secured to a wall surface, and shelf brackets which can be removably fitted to the standards at various positions according to desired shelf arrangements. A disadvantage of this type of structure is that it is really suitable only for supporting shelving and does not lend itself to other display arrangements. Also, in assembling the structure, the standards must be individually fitted to a wall surface and must be carefully aligned to ensure that these shelves are disposed horizontally.
Structures having adjustable shelving supported by vertical panels by means of engagement into holes in the panel surfaces, are known from U.K. Patent Specification 579688 and U.S. Patent Specifications 3450451 and 3844231. The structure of the panels is not discussed in US-A-3450451 and a simple sheet with holes in it appears to be evisaged. GB-A-579688 and US-A-3844231 both show panels of what can loosely be termed a box type structure. In each case each major wall surface of a panel is made of a single wall ement with apertues in arrays extending over substantially the whole of the surface, and a panel is formed by joining two elements. In US-A-3844231 the panel is a somewhat complicated construction having joining elements between two substantially identical wall elements.
The construction of GB-A-579688 is simpler, but the two wall elements making up a panel are of different shape from each other.
Starting from the latter two disclosures, the present invention provides a wall unit which is a panel made up of a number of tubular members. Each tubular member is itself constructed from two identically-shaped channel section elements, joined along the edges of the side flanges of the elements to form a box type construction. These members are secured together so that their side walls lie face-to-face and the flat bases of the channel section elements together form the major surfaces of the panel.
The invention also provides a display and/or storage structure incorporating one or more of said wall units.
Shelving, rods, or other article supporting elements may be supported between wall units to form the display or storage structure. The structures can be self-supporting and free standing, and may be mounted on wheels.
The panel construction provided by the present invention is versatile, has the strength of box type constructions, permits the use of standard components.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a number of embodiments of the invention by way of example, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a display structure for a store which includes two of the wall units provided by the invention;
Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a structure which includes three such units;
Fig. 3 is a front view of one of the wall units shown in Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on line IV-IV of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a detail view of part of Fig. 3;
Fig. 6 shows an alternative form of display structure incorporating two wall units;
Fig. 7 and 8 are detail views showing two alternative forms of article supporting elements which may be used with the structures shown in the previous views;
Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing part of an alternative form of a wall unit and an associated article supporting element;
Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view showing a detail of Fig. 2;
Fig. 11 is a side view of a display structure according to a further feature of the invention;
Fig. 12 is a front view corresponding to Fig. 11.

Referring first to Fig. 1, a display structure for use in a store is generally indicated at 20 and is shown positioned against an internal wall 22 in the store building. Structure 20 includes two indentical wall units, each denoted 24, which project outwardly from wall 22 at right angles thereto, and which are spaced from one another along the wall. In this embodiment, the wall units are used to support both shelves which extend between the two units, and which are denoted 26, and shelves 28 at the outer sides of the units.
Fig. 3 shows an alternative form of display structure according to the invention which includes three of the wall unit 24 shown in Fig. 1 disposed in equally spaced parallel positions at right angles to a wall 32 of the store building. In this case, the centre wall unit and the unit at the right hand end of structure 30 together support shelves 34 extending between the two units in similar fashion to the embodiment of Fig. 1. The two units also support a hanger rod 36 from which garments 38 are suspended. Further shelves 40 are disposed at the outer side of the right hand end unit 24. Two further hanger rods 42 and 44 extend between the centre wall unit and the left hand end wall unit, and the latter unit also carries a mirror 46 and a small shelf 48 at its outer side. Thus, it will be appreciated that the structure 30 shown in Fig. 2 can be used both for displaying shelf goods and hanging goods in the store, while also providing a mirror for assisting purchasers.
Fig. 3 is a front view of one of the wall units 24 shown in the previous views, and Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the unit of Fig. 3. Unit 24 includes a relatively rigid, self-supporting panel 50 made up of a series of vertical members 52 secured together side by side. Referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that each of the mebers 52 is in fact of box section and is made up of two channel-shaped elements secured together with their channels facing one another. The two channel-shaped elements which make up one of the members 52 are denoted 54 and 56 in Fig. 4 and are welded together in the positions shown. The other members 52 are essentially the same and the members are welded together side edge to side edge in the configuration indicated in Fig. 4. In assembling the unit, the members 52 are first assembled from channel section elements such as those indicated at 54 and 56 and the assembled members are then welded together side edge to side edge as shown. The channel section elements comprise standard lengths of steel channel. A capping strip 58 is applied to the exposed side and top edge of the wall unit 24 as can be seen in Fig. 3 to provide the unit with a finished appearance. The other side edge is left plain in this case since that edge is to be fitted against a wall. However, it too could obviously be provided with capping strip if necessary. The capping strip is also in the form of steel channel and is welded in place.
It will be seen from Fig. 3 that, in the particular embodiment illustrated, each wall unit 24 is made up of six of the members 52 and that the two members adjacent the two outer side members are slightly longer than the remaining members and project below the bottom edges of those members to form spigots, denoted 52a by which the unit is secured in place. Also, two sockets 60 dimensioned to receive the spigots 52a are secured by screws 62 .to the floor 64 on which the wall is to be mounted in positions to receive the spigots. Thus, in mounting the wall unit, the unit is manually positioned with the spigots 52a in engagement with the sockets 60 and is manipulated to allow the spigots to drop into the sockets. In some instances, this mounting arrangement may be sufficient by itself. However, where the wall unit is liable to be subjected to lateral forces, it is desirable to also provide lateral restraining means. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, an angle bracket is screwed to each wall unit 24 adjacent its upper end and to the wall of the building. The bracket associated with the centre wall unit 24 in Fig. 2 is indicated at 66 and similar such brackets are provided for the other two wall units in that view and for the units in Fig. 1, although these brackets are not visible in the drawings.
It will be appreciated from Fig. 4 in particular that panel 50 has front and rear walls formed by the bases of the channel section elements from which the panel is made. In this particular embodiment, the panel is symmetrical about a median plane and has identical front and rear walls. However, for convenience, the front wall of panel 50 will be considered as being the wall which is visible in Figs. 3 and 5. The front wall of panel 50 is generally denoted 68 and the rear wall is denoted 70 (Fig. 4). Referring primarily to Fig. 4, front wall 68 has an outer surface 72 and an inner surface 74 and rear wall 70 has an outer surface 76 and inner surface 78. As best seen in Figs. 3 and 5, the front wall 68 of panel 50 is formed with an array of openings, generally denoted 80 which are arranged in a plurality of vertical rows spaced equally across the outer surface of front wall 68 with the openings in each row equally spaced from one another longitudinally of that row. It will be seen from Figs. 4 and 5 that each of the openings 80 is of rectangular shape and extends through the front wall 68 of panel 50 from its outer surface 72 to its inner surface 74. This allows article supporting elements (to be described) to be engaged in the openings for supporting an article from the wall unit. The rear wall 70 of panel 50 is formed with a similar array of openings, although these openings have not been specifically illustrated in the drawings since they are essentially the same as the openings in wall 68. The openings in the front and rear walls of panel 50 are in fact formed by a punching operation during manufacture of the channel section elements which make up the members 52 of panel 50.
It will be seen from Fig. 5 that the openings 80 are disposed so that the major axis of each opening lies in the transverse direction of panel 50. Thus, in manufacture of the channel section elements from which members 52 are made, the openings 80 are formed with their major axes extending transversely of the elements.
Fig. 6 shows a mobile form of display structure according to the invention. In that view, the structure is generally denoted 82 and includes two wall units 84. The units are essentially very similar to the units 24 described in connection with the previous figures in that each unit includes a relatively rigid, self-supporting panel (denoted 86) formed on both sides with an array of openings arranged in a plurality of horizontally and vertically aligned rows as described in connection with Fig. 5. However, the panels 86 are somewhat different in that each panel is made up of a plurality of horizontal members 88 which extend transversely of the panel, in contrast to the vertical members 52 of panel 50. Each member 88 comprises two channel-shaped elements which are essentially the same as the elements which make up panel 50 except that the openings in the elements of the Fig. 6 embodiment are disposed with their major dimensions extending longitudinally of the elements. As a result, in the assembled panel, the openings still appear as in the previous embodiment. Also in the Fig. 6 embodiment, each panel 86 is surrounded by a steel frame 90 made of box section members welded to the panel 86. The two frames 90 are joined by longitudinal box section members 92 welded to the two lower members in each frame 90. Castor wheels 94 are provided on the members 92. Also, a longitudinal member 96 extends between the top rear corners of the two frames 90 to form a relatively rigid unitary structure. A cross member 98 extends between the wall units 84 in an overhead position and is mounted at its ends on the upper ends of two vertical members 100 and 102 received in vertically slideable fashion in openings in the top members of the two frames 90. Set screws, one of which is visible at 104, are provided in each of those members for engagement with the respective vertical members 100 and 102 and can be used to secure those members in appropriate vertical positions. Thus, it will be appreciated that the position of the cross member 98 can be varied by releasing the set screws and sliding the vertical members 100 and 102 up or down as appropriate and retightening the set screws to secure the cross member in an adjusted position. Member 98 can be used for carrying overhead signs, displays, lights or the like according to the particular situation in which the display structure is used.
It will be appreciated that structure 82 will in practice be fitted with shelves, hanger rods, and other article supporting elements in similar fashion to the structures described in connection with the preceding figures, although, for clarity of illustration, those elements are not shown in Fig. 6.
Reference will now be made to Figs. 7 and 8 in describing two examples of shelf supports which may be used in association with the display structures described previously.

In Fig. 7, part of a shelf is indicated at 106 in association with part of the panel 50 of one of the wall units 24. The shelf is supported by two metal elements 108, one of which is shown engaged in panel 50, while the other is shown in an exploded position. It will be seen that each element is generally V-shaped in side view and includes tabs 110 and 112 at the outer ends of its limbs. The lower tab 110 is generally straight, while the upper tab 112 curves upwardly towards its outer end. Accordingly, this tab can be hooked through one of the openings 80 in panel 50 and engaged behind the inner surface of the front wall of the panel so that the element is restrained against outward movement away from the panel. The elements are fitted to the panel by first engaging the upper tab 112 as mentioned above, and then simply slotting the lower tab 110 into the opening 80 directly below the opening which receives tab 112. The element is shaped so that the limb of element 108 which is uppermost at this time is generally horizontal and forms, in effect, a ledge on which the shelf 106 rests. The elements 108 are used for supporting the ends of the shelf, for example as in the case of the shelves 26 and 34 in the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2 respectively.
Fig. 8 shows an alternative form of shelf support generally denoted 114. Support 114 is in principle very similar to one of the shelf support elements 108 in that it is generally V-shaped and defines an upper horizontal limb on which the shelf rests. Thus, element 114 has upper and lower limbs 116 and 118 respectively having tabs 120 and 122 respectively at their outer ends. The lower tab 122 is straight while the upper tab 120 is curved upwardly for providing a hook-type engagement with panel 50. At their inner ends, the two limbs 116 and 118 are joined by an upwardly turned tab 124 which in effect forms a stop restraining outward movement of the shelf away from panel 50. It will be appreciated that this form of shelf support is designed primarily for use in a situation in which the shelf extends transversely of panel 50, for example as in the case of the shelf 28 shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 9 shows part of an alternative form of wall unit and an associated shelf support. Thus, in Fig. 9, the wall unit is shown as including a panel 50' having openings 80' in the form of narrow elongate slots disposed with their major axes in the vertical direction of the panel. The shelf support is generally indicated at 126 and is in the form of a flat plate of generally triangular shape formed in its top portion with a recess 128 to receive the shelf 130. An upwardly directed tab 132 at the outer end of the support restrains the shelf against outward movement. Two tabs 134 are formed integrally at the inner edge of the support and are angled downwardly to engage through vertically adjacent ones of the openings 80' and behind the inner surface of the front wall of panel 50'.
Fig. 10 is a detail view which shows the manner in which a hanger rod is coupled to one of the wall units. For convenience, reference will be made to the rod 36 (Fig. 2). One end part of the rod is visible in Fig. 10 and it will be seen that the rod is hollow. A fitment 136 is disposed at the end of rod 36 and includes a cylindrical portion 138 which fits closely inside rod 136 and two projecting tabs 140 which are of generally right angular shape so as to be capable of being hooked through two vertically adjacent openings 80 in panel 50 of the relevant wall unit. A similar fitment (not shown) is provided in the other end of rod 36. If necessary, rod 36 may be of telescopic form to facilitate fitting of the rod between the two wall units.
Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate a display structure according to a further embodiment of the invention. The structure includes a wall unit 142 which is generally similar to the wall units shown in the previous views although somewhat narrower in width. Unit 142 is mounted in upper and lower tracks 144 and 146 respectively so that the position of the unit can be adjusted transversely along the tracks as indicated by arrow 147 in Fig. 12. After adjustment, the unit can be secured in an adjusted position as will be described. It will be appreciated that this arrangement will allow for great versatility in the positioning of elements suspended from the wall unit.

Although a single adjustably mounted wall unit may be employed, it is believed that, in most situations, two or more such wall units will be provided side by side in the same tracks. They can then be adjusted with respect to one another so that trays, shelves or other supports of different width can be attached to the units. For example, if two wall units are provided, the spacing between them may be adjusted so that, say, four foot long shelves can be supported from the units. Then, when the store display is to be changed, the units may be moved closer together for supporting, say, two foot long shelves. Suitable backgrounds, displays, and the like can be provided behind the wall units if desired.
In this particular embodiment, wall unit 142 is formed by two channel shaped elements secured together face to face and is generally similar to one of the members 52 which make up the wall unit of Fig. 3. The outer (front) face of unit 142 is formed with an array of rectangular openings arranged in four vertical rows with the openings in each row in horizontal alignment with the openings in adjacent rows. Similar openings are provided in the inner (rear) faces of the unit but are not used in this case; the inner face of the unit could alternatively be unapertured.
Fig. 11 shows the cross-sectional shapes of the two tracks 144 and 146. It will be seen that each track in essence defines parallel inner and outer channels and that the wall unit 142 is received in the outer channel of each track. The upper and lower tracks have respective inner limbs 148 and 150 of extended height, by which the tracks are secured to a supporting wall 152. In this embodiment, a cavity is present behind wall 152 and toggle bolts such as those indicated at 154 are used for securing the tracks to the wall. In other cases, screws, bolts or other fastening means can alternatively be employed. The tracks could be attached to respective ceiling and floor surfaces in appropriate cases.
The tracks also have outer limbs denoted 156 and 158 respectively. As can best be seen in Fig. 12, each of these limbs is formed with a series of spaced openings, denoted respectively 160 and 162 and the wall unit is provided behind each row of openings with a single screw threaded opening which is centralized transversely of the wall unit and into which a machine screw can be screwed for securing the wall unit to the relevant channel. Two such machine screws are indicated at 164 and 166 in Fig. 12. It will be appreciated that, in order to adjust the position of the wall unit, it is simply necessary to remove the screws 164 and 166, reposition the wall unit in the tracks, and replace the screws through appropriate ones of the openings 160 and 162. The openings in each row are spaced from one another on one inch centres so as to provide for versatility of positioning of the wall unit.
In order to provide additional support for the wall unit, particularly in heavy duty applications, an additional support member 168 extends parallel to the tracks 144 and 146 behind the wall unit and is secured to the supporting wall 152 by toggle bolts, one of which is indicated at 170 (Fig. 11). Support member 168 is of box shape in cross-section and is formed in its outer surface with a row of equally spaced openings 172, each of which is internally screw threaded. Wall unit 142 is provided with a single central opening 174 which can aligned with selected ones of the openings 172 and through which a machine screw can be inserted into one of the openings 172 to provide additional support if required.
The inner channels of the respective tracks 144 and 146 can be used for receiving other wall panels, decorative background material, mirrors, etc. In other applications in which no intermediate support member (as member 168) is required, single channel tracks may be employed.
It will be appreciated from the preceding description that the invention provides extremely versatile display and/or storage structure. Thus, the shelf supports or other articles supporting elements can be easily and quickly fitted to a wall unit in any appropriate position. Similarly, an existing arrangement of article supporting elements on a wall unit can be easily varied. Completely new visual display arrangements can be easily and quickly created.
While the specific display structures shown in the drawings are believed to be eminently suitable for use in store displays, it is to be understood that there is no-limitation to these particular arrangements. In its simplest form, a single wall unit could be used by itself as a display structure. The unit could be mounted at right angles to a wall, flat against a wall (in which case only one side of the unit could be used) or even in a free standing arrangement if the unit is provided with a suitable base. On the other hand, a display structure could be made considerably more complex than the structures shown in the drawings by adding additional wall units, shelves, etc.
By way of example, it may be convenient to note the following typical dimensions of a wall unit of the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5. Thus, the unit may be of an overall width of 62 cm (24 inches) (each member 52 accordingly being of 10 cm (4 inches) in width), of a thickness of 2.5 cm (1 inch), and of a height of 213 cm (84 inches) (each member 52 accordingly being of may be of 10 cm (4 inches) in height. The openings 80 in the panel 50 of the unit may each be of approximately 0.32 cm x 0.64 cm (t inch x inch) and spaced from one another on 2.5 cm (1 inch) centres transversely of the panel and on 1.15 cm (½ inch) centres vertically of the panel. The channel-shaped elements from which the members 52 are made may be 18 gage steel channel of dimensions 1.25 x 10 cm (1 inch x 4 inches).
The spacings between the openings 80 in the panel 50 provide for almost infinitely adjustable positioning of article supporting elements on the panel. Thus, any one supporting element can be adjusted transversely in increments of 1" and vertically in increments of 1/2".
It should of course be noted that the dimensions referred to above are given merely by way of example for the purpose of illustration. In other applications, the quoted dimensions could vary considerably.
It will be appreciated that the wall units and display structures referred to herein may find application not only in the display of merchandise for sale, but in any applications in which articles are required to be displayed and/or stored. Residential applications of the invention are also envisaged. For example, structures generally similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 could be used as closets or other storage structures in residential homes. The front of the structure could, if appropriate, be closed by a curtain suspended from a hanger rod extending across the front of the structure.
Variations in the wall unit are of course possible within the broad scope of the invention. Thus, while the units shown in the drawings have openings on both sides, this is not essential. In the case of a unit intended to be attached directly to a wall of a building, for example, openings need be provided on one side only. This could be accomplished, for example, by constructing the wall unit from a series of individual channel section elements welded together side by side. However, it should also be noted that the wall unit need not be constructed in the manner described whether openings are provided on one side only or on both sides.
It should also be noted that the specific forms of article supporting elements disclosed in the drawings are not exhaustive. In a simple case, a wire hook could, for example, be used to suspend an article directly from a wall unit.
Finally, it will be realized that variations are possible in the shape and arrangement of the openings in the panel of the wall unit according to the invention. The drawings show two examples but are not considered to be exhaustive. In the embodiments of Figs. 1 to 8 and 10, the openings are rectangular in shape and are arranged with their major axes horizontal. In Fig. 9, on the other hand, the openings are also rectangular but are arranged with their major axes vertical. The embodiment shown in Fig. 9 is believed to be particularly suitable for heavy duty applications; that is, for use in situations in which the wall unit is required to support relatively heavy loads. An example of such an application would be where the unit is to be used to support shelves for carrying paint cans in paint store. However, it is to be realized that the range of application of the embedment shown in Fig. 9 is at least as wide as the range of application of the other embodiments. Variations in the shape and size of the openings are of course possible. For example, the openings could be of circular shape.

Claims

1. A wall unit comprising a relatively rigid, self-supporting panel (50) having a generally flat outer surface and which is adpated to be supported in use with said outer surface generally vertical, said panel (50) being of a rectangular shape, said panel being formed with an array of openings (80) which cover substantially the whole of its outer surface and which are arranged in a multiplicity of vertical rows spaced equally from one another with the openings (80) in each row in horizontal alignment with corresponding openings in adjacent rows, said openings (80) extending through the panel to an inner surface thereof and being adapted to cooperate with article supporting elements (e.g. 108, 114, 126, 138) engageable in selected ones of said openings (80) for supporting articles from the unit (24), whereby said array of openings (80) allows the article supporting elements to be selectively distributed over said outer surface of the panel in a variety of vertically and horizontally spaced positions and allows a correspondingly wide range of positions for articles supported by said elements, characterized in that said panel (50) is made up of a plurality of tubular members (52) secured together side by side, each member itself comprising two identically shaped channel elements (54, 56) having generally flat bases and secured together with their channels facing inwardly, each said element having two side flanges disposed generally normal to the base of the element, the edges of opposed flanges being secured together to form said tubular members, whereby the bases of said channel elements cooperate with the bases of the channel elements of adjacent members in the panel to form coextensive front and rear walls of the panel (50) and the adjacent tubular members (52) being secured together with side flanges of both the channels of the respective members in face-to-face relationship.

2. A unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tubular members (52) of said panel (50) extend vertically of the panel, and wherein at least two members in said panel extend downwardly below remaining members in the panel to define spigots (52a) for co-operating with means (60) for supporting the unit (24) with its said outer surface generally vertical in use.

3. A structure which comprises at least two wall units (24) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 arranged in parallel positions with their front walls opposed to one another, a plurtality of article supporting elements (e.g. 108, 114, 126, 140) engaged in selected ones of the openings in the front walls of the respective panels (50), and means (e.g. 34, 42,) extending between and supported by said elements for carrying articles on said structure.

4. A structure which comprises at least two wall units (24) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, a frame (92, 96, 98) supporting said units (24) in generally parallel positions with their outer surfaces disposed in opposed relationship, and wheel means (94) mounted on and supporting said frame, whereby the structure is transportable on said wheel means.

5. A structure as claimed in claim 4, which further comprises a cross member (98), vertically slidable support means (100, 102) coupled to said wall units (24) and supporting said cross member (98) in an overhead position in which it extends between said units (24), and means (104) for securing said support means to maintain the cross member (98) in a selected overhead position.

6. A structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the panel (50) of each wall unit (24) also includes a rear wall having an inner surface and a generally flat outer surface and which is formed with an array of openings substantially similar to the openings (80) in the front wall of the unit, wherein said article supporting elements are shelf supports (e.g. 108, 114, 126) engaged in openings (80) in the front walls of the respective units (24), wherein the article carrying means comprise a plurality of shelves (34) extending between the front walls of the respective units, wherein the shelf supports are arranged to support the shelves in generally horizontal positions between said units, and wherein at least one article supporting element is engaged in the said openings in the rear wall.

7. A wall unit as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that said tubular members (52) are secured together side by side so as to extend transversely of the panel (50).