EP0569416A1

EP0569416A1 - A shelving display system

Info

Publication number: EP0569416A1
Application number: EP19920903487
Authority: EP
Inventors: Simon c/o Clares-Regisbrook Systems Ltd. MELLOR
Original assignee: CLARES-REGISBROOK SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: CLARES-REGISBROOK SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 1991-01-28
Filing date: 1992-01-28
Publication date: 1993-11-18
Also published as: AU1187592A; WO1992012657A1

Abstract

Le système d'affichage comprend un dispositif de support allongé (52) pour élément d'affichage, pourvu d'un couvercle (53) sensiblement transparent sur sa longueur. Un ou plusieurs éléments d'affichage (54) peuvent être montés amovibles sur le dispositif de support (52) de manière à être visibles à travers le couvercle (53). Le système d'affichage est destiné à être utilisé dans des supermarchés ou endroits analogues afin d'être monté sur les bords de rayonnages, chaque élément d'affichage (54) affichant le prix d'articles sur les étagères. Le système d'affichage permet de modifier un prix individuel présenté sur l'élément d'affichage (54) de manière à la fois simple et pratique sans qu'il soit nécessaire de modifier le prix affiché sur tout autre élément d'affichage (54), et les affichages de prix (54) sont ainsi protégés contre les dégâts et ne peuvent pas être enlevés sans autorisation.The display system comprises an elongate support device (52) for a display element, provided with a cover (53) substantially transparent along its length. One or more display elements (54) can be removably mounted on the support device (52) so as to be visible through the cover (53). The display system is intended for use in supermarkets or the like to be mounted on the edges of shelving, each display element (54) displaying the price of items on the shelves. The display system makes it possible to modify an individual price presented on the display element (54) in a simple and practical manner without the need to modify the price displayed on any other display element (54 ), and the price displays (54) are thus protected against damage and cannot be removed without authorization.

Description

A SHELVING DISPLAY SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a shelving display system and particularly but not exclusively to a shelving display system for use in supermarkets for example, which may be mounted on the edge of shelving to display product and price information.

The prices of products on offer in a supermarket are commonly displayed on the edges of the shelving bearing the products. The price displays are usually of card or flexible plastic and are mounted in runners located along the edge of the shelving. To mount the price displays, the card is inserted between the runners, at one end, and is then moved within the runners to its correct position. This has the disadvantage that the cards must -be mounted in the runners in the correct order and that if a card has to be removed all the cards between it and one end of the runners must also be removed. Alternatively, the cards are mounted by being fiexed until their upper and lower edges fit between the runners. However, repeated flexing of a card shortens the useful life of the card and also unauthorised removal of the cards by the general public is easily achieved. In either case, each time the price of a product is changed the corresponding price display must be manually altered which is time consuming and the price displays are exposed to both damage and dirt.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a shelving display system which allows simple and convenient mounting and removal of price displays which protects the price displays and which reduces the risk of unauthorised removal by the general public.

The present invention provides a shelving display system comprising an elongate holder for mounting on the edge of a shelf; a display device for displaying data, the display holder and the display device having means cooperable one with another to detachably mount the display device to the display holder; and a substantially transparent cover member attached to the display holder which the display device is visible through.

With the present invention therefore the cover member acts to protect the display device against damage. In a preferred embodiment, the display holder defines an elongate channel into which an upper region of the display device may be located and the display holder provides an abutment surface cooperable with an abutment surface provided in a lower region of the display device whereby the display device can be snap fitted into the display holder. In this manner the display device may be easily and conveniently inserted at any point along the length of the display holder and is held securely. Preferably, the abutment surface on the display device is provided by a protrusion on a rear surface thereof, the protrusion may be in the form of a ramp.

In addition, the display holder may define with the cover member an enclosed space in which the display device may be mounted. In this preferred embodiment the cover member is movable from a closed position to an open position and the cover member is elongate and is pivotally connected along one edge thereof to an edge of the display holder. Thus, the display holder provides top and back wall surfaces and the cover member front and base wall surfaces which define the enclosed space whereby the display device mounted in the enclosed space is visible from the front and from below. Hence, the display device is completely protected by the cover member from damage and dirt and in addition information displayed on the base of the display device is visible in the same way as information displayed on the front of the display device. In addition, by positioning the display device within an enclosed space unauthorised removal by members of the general public is deterred.

In a second preferred embodiment a shelving display system is provided, wherein the display holder defines with the cover member an elongate channel having a downwardly facing opening at lower edges of the display holder and the cover member providing access to the elongate channel, the display device being slidable through the opening to a position within the elongate channel and having releasable catch means operable by sliding movement of the display device into the elongate channel to retain the display device in the elongate channel, the catch means having an abutment member operable to release the catch means, the abutment member being concealed in the elongate channel when the display device is in position in the elongate channel; there being further provided a release device adapted to engage the abutment member and release the catch means.

With this second embodiment, since the display device can only be released by operation of the release device, tampering by the general public is prevented.

In addition, with the shelving display system of the present invention the display holder may be further provided with one or more electrical conductors located within the display holder for the supply of power and/or data to be displayed, and the display device may be further provided with one or more corresponding electrical connectors for connection to the conductors when the display device is in position on the display holder and an electrically operable display on a front face of the display device, the electrically operable display being connected to the connectors for receiving power and/or data to be displayed from the conductors. The electrically operable display may be a liquid crystal (LC) display.

Preferably, the conductors are mounted in a conductor channel provided by the display holder whereby insertion of a portion of the display device bearing the connectors into the conductor channel ensures contact between the conductors and the connectors, the conductors being mounted on opposing inner

SUBSTITUTE SHEET walls of the conductor channel with the conductors for supplying power being mounted furthest from the opening of the conductor channel. In this way the risk of a short circuit across the power conductors is reduced.

In this manner, manual updating of individual display device is obviated and updating of the liquid crystal displays may be performed automatically. Reference is also made in this respect to co-pending application No. 9028078.5, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by cross-reference.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides an elongate display holder, a substantially transparent elongate cover member connected to the display holder and a display device, the display holder and the cover member being adapted to receive the display holder when inserted at a position between the display holder and the cover member at ^" any position along the length of the display holder, the display device having means cooperable with the display holder or the cover member for holding the display device in position after insertion.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a shelving display system according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view along the line A-A' in Figure 1,

Figures 3a to 3e are further sectional views showing the insertion and removal of a display device of the shelving display system of Figure 1,

Figure 4a is a front elevation of the display device of Figures 3a to 3e,

SUBSTITUTE SHEET Figure 4b is a top view of the display device of Figure 4a,

Figure 4c is a rear elevation of the display device of Figures 4a and 4b,

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the catch means of Figures 4b and 4c,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a shelving display system according to the present invention,

Figure 7 is the perspective view of Figure 6 with the cover member in an open position.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line VIII-VIII of Figure 6,

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the shelving display system of Figure 6,

Figure 10 is a front elevation of the shelving display system of Figure 6,

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the display device used in the shelving display system of Figure 6, and

Figure 12 is a rear elevation of the display device of Figure 11.

In Figures 1 and 2, a shelf 1 of the type which may be used in a supermarket or the like is shown. At the shelf edge, a first embodiment of a shelving display system 2 is attached in a conventional manner. The shelving display system 2 may be attached directly to the shelf edge or alternatively may be attached to shelf runners on the shelf 1. The runners are used in displaying conventional card price displays. The display system 2 comprises a downwardly depending elongate channel 4 and display devices 5; two display devices 5 are shown in Figure 1. It will be appreciated that any number of display devices 5 may be mounted in the elongate channel 4 up to the number of display devices which would fill the elongate channel 4. These two parts of the display system 2: the elongate channel 4 and a display device 5 and their interrelationship are more clearly shown in Figures 3a to 3e.

S ET The elongate channel 4 has a spine 6 which is preferably made of extruded aluminium or folded mild steel. Clearly, the spine 6 can be made from other materials exhibiting similar properties, for example hard or toughened plastics. The spine

6 has a short front wall 7 with an inwardly projecting first ridge 8. Substantially parallel to and behind the front wall

7 is an intermediate wall 9. The front wall 7 and the intermediate wall 9 form a narrow channel for receiving one edge of a cover member or continuation front wall 10 which is a transparent sheet of perspex or other transparent material. The continuation front wall 10 has a groove 11 near its upper edge which is for engagement with the projecting first ridge 8 of the front wall 7. In this fashion, the continuation front wall 10 may be -inserted or removed from between the front wall 7 and intermediate wall 9 by sliding the continuation front wall 10, with the projecting first ridge 8 in the groove 11, from one end of the elongate channel 4.

The elongate channel 4 also has a rear wall 12 which may be connected to or a continuation of the spine 6 in the form of a display holder. The front and rear walls 7,12 define an internal channel having an opening at the lower edge of the channel 4 to permit access to the internal channel. The rear wall 12 is substantially parallel to and corresponds in depth with the front wall 7 and the continuation front wall 10 when connected together. Intermediate of the upper and lower edges of the rear wall 12 is an inwardly projecting second ridge 13. Located between the second ridge 13 and the upper edge of the rear wall 12 is an electrically insulating support 14 to which electrical conductors or lines 15 are attached. Four conductors 15 are shown in Figure 2 and Figures 3a to 3e. The conductors 15 are used to supply power and/or data to be displayed to the display devices 5 when connected.

At each end of the elongate channel 4 are end caps which close each end of the elongate channel 4. With the display devices 5 in position, the front and rear walls extend to completely cover the display devices 5. The display device 5 has a front surface 16 on which the information to be displayed is located, as may be seen in Figure 4a. The information may be in the form of product identification, a bar code and the price. In this example the price is displayed by an electrically operable display in this case a liquid crystal (LC) display 17. The display device 5 may be made from a suitable plastics material.

The rear of the display device 5, is divided into two portions: an upper portion 18 and a lower portion 19. The lower portion 19 has a central area cut-away to form a substantially vertical shallow channel into which is located resilient catch means 20 in the form of a holding arm. The holding arm 20 is connected at its base to the display device 5 and is free at its upper end to move between an engaging position distant from the display device 5 and a releasing position adjacent the display device 5. The holding arm 20 is a springy thin metal strip and is connected to the display device 5 so as to adopt the engaging position when no external forces are applied to it.

As seen in Figure 5, in section, the holding arm 20 gradually increases in thickness from its base to form an abutment member in the form of a ramp 21 and then decreases in thickness towards its upper end to form a second ramp 22. The holding arm 20 also has a cut-away portion adjacent its upper end forming upwardly and downwardly directed abutment surfaces 23 and 24.

The upper portion 18 of the display device 5 is narrower in thickness than the lower portion 19 and has on its rear surface an electrically insulating support 25. Mounted on the insulating support 25 are electrical connectors 26. In Figures 3a to 3e and Figure 4c, four connectors 26 are shown to correspond to the four conductors 15 mounted on the inside of the elongate channel 4. Clearly, alternative numbers of connectors or sets of connectors may be provided on the display device 5. The connectors 26 are connected to the LC display 17 through the display device 5.

Although the connectors 26 are shown to have a shape corresponding to the exterior surface of the conductors 15, the connectors may be ^Mϋ" shaped in which case, when the display device 5 is inserted into the elongate channel 4, the connectors 26 would come into contact with only a portion of the surface of the respective conductors 15. The advantage of ^KU" shaped connectors is that they are self cleaning.

A release device 27 is shown in Figures 3c and 3e having a handle 28 and a projecting finger 29. The projecting finger 29 corresponds in width to the width of the holding arm 20. From the upper end of the finger 29, remote from the handle 28, the finger 29 increases in thickness towards the handle 28 to form a ramp 30. A groove 31 is provided in the finger 29 at the end of the ramp 30 forming a downwardly directed abutment surface 32.

When in use, the display device 5 is inserted into the elongate channel 4 at a desired position along the length of the elongate channel. As the display device 5 is inserted, the second projecting ridge 13 engages the ramp 22 on the holding arm 20, so forcing the upper end of the holding arm 20 against the upper portion 18 of the display device 5. As the display device 5 is inserted further, the end of the ramp 22 is reached and the projecting ridge 13 engages with the cut-away portion in the holding arm 20 and abuts against the downwardly directed abutment surface 24. In addition, in this position the connectors 26 are in electrical contact with the conductors 15 so that power and/or data to be displayed can be transmitted from the elongate channel 4 to the LC display 17.

The display device 5 fits snugly within the elongate channel 4 and is held in position by the engagement of the second projecting ridge 13 and the abutment surface 24.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET To remove the display device 5 from the elongate channel 4, the finger 29 of the release device 27 is inserted between the rear wall 12 of the elongate channel 4 and the holding arm 20 into the shallow channel or access path. The ramp 30 on the finger 29 engages with the abutment member or ramp 21 on the holding arm 20 so forcing the holding arm 20 to move back adjacent the display device 5. As the guide finger 29 is further inserted, the abutment surface 24 is disengaged from the second projecting ridge 13. Once the finger 29 is fully inserted, the upper end of the finger 29 extends beyond the ramp 21 into the cut-away portion in the holding arm 20. Abutment surface 32 on the finger 29 then engages with abutment surface 23 on the holding arm 20 and, since the abutment surface 24 is no longer in engagement with the second projecting ridge 13, the display device 5 may be removed by withdrawal of the release device 27 from the elongate channel 4.

In Figures 6 to 12 an alternative shelving display system 50 is shown. The shelving display system 50 may be attached to a shelf (not shown) in a supermarket or the like by means of a lip 51 which engages with the edge of the shelf such that the display system 50 rests against and is supported by the shelf edge.

The shelving display system 50 comprises a display holder 52, a cover member 53 and one or more display devices 54, only one of which is shown in the accompanying Figures. It will be appreciated that any number of display devices 54 may be mounted on the display holder 52 until the holder is full. The display holder 52, has a back wall 55 and a top wall 56. The lip 51 is shown in Figure 8 to be integral with the back wall 55 and the top wall 56. It will be appreciated, however, that the lip 51 need not be integral and instead may be attached to the display holder 52.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET The outer surface of the top wall 56 lies at an angle to the surface of the shelf on which the shelving display system 50 is mounted. In this manner the outer surface of the top wall 56 forms an upwardly directed sloped extension to the surface of the shelf. A label 62 or other pre-printed display may be attached by adhesive for example to the outer surface of the top wall 56 if required.

Attached to the front edge of the top wall 56 is the cover member or lid 53. The cover member 53 is attached along its upper edge to the top wall 56 so that the cover member 53 can pivot from a closed position, shown in solid lines in

Figure 8 to an open position, shown in dotted lines in Figure

8. The cover member 53 is of substantially L-shaped cross-section and in the closed position, the display holder

52 and the cover member 53 define an enclosed space in which one or more display devices 54 may be located with the display holder 52 forming the back 55 and top 56 walls and the cover member 54 forming the front wall 57 and base 58.

Both the display holder 52 and the cover member 53 are elongate and extend the entire length of one shelf edge. The display holder 52 ideally is made of aluminium extrusion but alternative materials which provide similar strength and durability characteristics may be used. The cover member 53 is ideally made of a plastics extrusion such as PVC and is transparent so that when display devices 54 are mounted on the display holder 52 the display devices 54 are visible through the cover member 53.

Adjacent the front edge 61 of the top wall 56, a hinge member 59 is provided. The hinge member 59 is an enlarged and rounded edge portion of a projection from the top wall 56 about which an upper edge 60 of the cover member 53 is located. The upper edge 60 of the cover member 53 is curved so as to define the circumference of the hinge member 59. The curvature of the upper edge 60 of the cover member 53 however

SUBSTITUTE SHEET is slightly less than that of the hinge member 59 so that owing to the resilient characteristics of the plastics material forming the cover member 53 the upper edge 60 can be press or snap fitted onto the hinge member 59 and holds the hinge member 59 but is capable of rotation about the hinge member 59.

The front edge 61 of the top wall 56 projects beyond the front wall 57 when the cover member 53 is in the closed position, as shown in Figure 8, so that the front wall 57 may be protected against fluid for example which may be accidentally spilt on the shelf.

The lower edge portion 63 of the cover member 53 is thicker than the thickness of the rest of the cover member 53 so as to form a beaded edge. A channel 64 is provided along the base of the back wall 55 of the display holder 52 to receive the beaded edge 63. The channel 64 is slightly smaller than the thickness of the beaded edge 63 so that engagement of the beaded edge 63 into the channel 64 is a press or snap fit. Thus, in the closed position, the cover member 53 is held securely in place but may be released and moved to the open position when required. The upper wall of the channel 64 provides an inner ridge 64' which will be discussed in greater detail later.

An electrical conductor channel 65 with a downwardly directed opening is provided from the top wall 56 within the enclosed space defined by the display holder 52 and the cover member 53. The conductor channel 65 has inner walls provided by the back wall 55 and a downwardly depending internal wall 69. On the inner walls an electrically insulating material 66 is provided. Embedded in the insulating material 66 and only partially exposed to the opening of the conductor channel 65 are electrical conductors 67. In Figure 8 four conductors 67 are shown, however, it will be appreciated that other numbers of conductors may be provided. In Figure 8 two conductors 67 are provided on each of the inner walls of the conductor channel 65. The conductors 67 extend lengthwise of the display holder 52 and are connected by means of wires 68 to power and/or data supplies. In the preferred embodiment, shown in Figure 8, the two conductors nearest the top wall 56 supply power whereas the two conductors nearest the opening of the conductor channel 65 supply data. In this manner the risk of short circuiting across the power lines is reduced.

In front of the downwardly depending internal wall 69 is a small internal ridge 70 projecting downwardly from the top wall 56. Between the internal wall 69 and the internal ridge 70 a receiving channel 71 is provided which extends lengthwise of the display holder 52.

The display device 54 shown in Figure 9 has a front face 72 on which a liquid crystal display 73 is provided. Pre-printed product information 74 and a bar code 75 is ^'also provided on the front face 72. The bar code 75 also extends to cover at least a portion of the base of the display device 54 (not shown) .

On the back 77 of the display device 54, as shown in Figure 12, two ramps 78 are provided which terminate in downwardly facing abutment surfaces 79. Located between the two ramps 78 is a recess 80 within which is provided a further ramp 81. The recess 80 is open to the base of the display device 54.

At the top of the display device 54 a guiding ridge 82 is provided which corresponds in size with the receiving channel 71 in the top wall 56 of the display holder 52.

Towards the back of the display device 54, a board 83 projects upwardly and has electrical connectors 84 mounted thereon. In this embodiment four electrical connectors 84 are provided one for each of the four conductors 67 in the conductor channel 65. Two connectors 84 are provided on the front face of the board 83 at different heights and two connectors 84 are provided on the rear face of the board 83 also at different heights. The connectors 84 are connected to circuitry on the board 83 for supplying power and data to the liquid crystal display 73. The connectors 84 are made of thin metal and are curved at their free ends to ensure good electrical contact with the conductors 67. The connectors 84 are also resilient and are mounted so as to adopt a position at an angle to the face of the board 83 when no external forces are applied. In this way electrical contact with the conductors is assured and since the free ends of the connectors are curved, the connectors are self cleaning.

When in use, the cover member 53 is moved to its open position. A display device 54 is then positioned so that the guiding ridge 82 engages with the receiving channel 71 and the ramps 78 engage with the inner ridge 64 ' . The display device 54 is then pushed upwards and inserted into position on the display holder 52. The guiding ridge 82 and receiving channel 71 ensure that the board 83 is correctly positioned within the conductor channel 65 so that the connectors 84 come into contact with their respective conductors 67.

Once the display device 54 is in position, the ends of the ramps 78 are reached and the downwardly facing abutment surfaces 79 engage with the upwardly facing surface of the inner ridge 64* in a snap fit. In this manner the display device 54 is held securely in position on the display holder 52 and the cover member may now be moved to the closed position in order that it may protect the display device 54 from damage and dirt etc. Thus, the display device 54 may be inserted and positioned between the display holder 52 and the cover member 53 at any position along the length of the display holder 52 without interfering with the position of another display device mounted on the display holder.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET Since the cover member 53 is transparent the display device 54 may be easily seen through the cover member 53. Furthermore, since the cover member 54 provides the base 58 of the enclosed space, the bar code 75 on the base 76 of the display device 54 may also be seen when viewed from below which is of particular advantage where the display system 50 is to be mounted on a high shelf.

When removing the display device 54, the base 76 of the display device 54 is tipped forward to release the abutment surfaces 79 from the inner ridge 64 ' . Where more than one display device 54 is mounted on the display holder 52, access to the sides of any one of the display devices 54 may be prevented. In these circumstances a release device in the form of a rod (not shown) may be used to release the display device 54. The rod is inserted into the recess 80 and the end of the rod engages with the further ramp 87. As the rod is pushed along the recess 80 the action of the rod on the further ramp 87 tips the base 76 of the display device forward so that the abutment surfaces 79 are moved away from the inner ridge 64 ' .

If display devices are not mounted along the entire length of the display holder other advertising or informative material may be displayed by means of a label attached by adhesive for example to the inner surface of the back wall 55.

The ends of the shelving display system 50 are closed by means of end caps 85. If required the cover member 53 may be secured to the end caps 85 by means of screws which may be positioned in threaded holes 56 in the end caps 85.

Thus, the display systems described herein allow simple and convenient display of product and price information on shelf edges. Additionally, individual display devices can be moved and altered or replaced without interfering with any other display devices on the same shelf edge. Furthermore,

SUBSTITUTE SHEET the display devices are protected against damage and dirt and tampering with the display devices is deterred.

The display systems described above may be hard-wired to a central computer so that the LC displays may be powered and updated from the central computer. Product and price information is then transmitted along the wires and conductors and is received by the connectors in the individual display devices so that the prices displayed on the LC displays may be updated. Alternatively, receivers may be located on the exterior of the cover member or display holder to receive product and price information which is transmitted from remotely located transmitters within the supermarket controlled by the central computer, using sonic, infra-red or radio frequency transmission. In this manner, time consuming manual updating of prices may be avoided. The receiver and the individual LC displays may, in this example, by powered by small button battery cells mounted on the receiver and the display devices.

Clearly, the display devices need not bear LC displays and alternatively may have the product and price information pre-printed on the front face of the display devices. Individual manual updating is therefore required but the power and data conductors and the connectors on the display devices become redundant and need not be provided. Since individual display devices can be removed from the shelving display systems without interfering with other display devices, updating of prices is still rendered easier and quicker than with previous display systems.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A shelving display system comprising an elongate holder for mounting on the edge of a shelf; a display device for displaying data, the display holder and the display device having means cooperable one with another to detachably mount the display device to the display holder; and a substantially transparent cover member attached to the display holder which the display device is visible through.

2. A shelving display system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display holder defines an elongate channel into which an upper region of the display device may be located and the display holder provides an abutment surface cooperable with an abutment surface provided in a lower region of the display device whereby the display device can be snap fitted into the display holder.

3. A shelving display system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the abutment surface of the display holder is provided by a ridge extending lengthwise of the display holder.

4. A shelving display system as claimed in either of claims 2 or 3, wherein the abutment surface of the display device is provided by a protrusion on a rear surface thereof.

5 A shelving display system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the protrusion is ramp shaped.

6. A shelving display system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the display device has a recess in its lower portion into which a release device can be inserted to remove the display device from the display holder.

7. A shelving display system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the display holder defines with the cover member an enclosed space in which the display device may be mounted, the cover member being movable from a closed position to an open position.

8. A shelving display system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cover member is elongate and is pivotally connected along one edge thereof to an edge of the display holder.

9. A shelving display system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the display holder provides top and back wall surfaces and the cover member front and base wall surfaces which define the enclosed space whereby the display device mounted in the enclosed space is visible from the front and from below.

10. A shelving display system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display holder defines with the cover member an elongate channel having a downwardly facing opening at lower edges of the display holder and the cover member providing access to the elongate channel, the display device being slidable through the opening to a position within the elongate channel and having releasable catch means operable by sliding movement of the display device into the elongate channel to retain the display device in the elongate channel, the catch means having an abutment member operable to release the catch means, the abutment member being concealed in the elongate channel when the display device is in position in the elongate channel; there being further provided a release device adapted to engage the abutment member and release the catch means.

11. A shelving display system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the catch means is provided by a ridge extending lengthwise of the elongate channel on the display holder and projecting inwardly into the elongate channel and an arm connected to the display device, one end of the arm being movable between a first position distant from the display device for engagement with the ridge and a second position adjacent the display device for removal of the display device from the elongate channel, the abutment member being provided on the arm and being operable to move the one end of the arm to the second position.

12. A shelving display system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the arm is a springy thin metal strip which adopts the first position when no external forces are applied.

13. A shelving display system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the release device is separate from the channel member and the display device.

14. A shelving display system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the elongate channel and the display device are arranged so that when the display device is in position in the elongate channel an access path is provided from the opening between the display holder and the display device, and the release device is adapted to be inserted into the access path to engage the abutment member and release the catch means.

15. A shelving display system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display holder is further provided with one or more electrical conductors for the supply of power and/or data to be displayed, and the display device is further provided with one or more corresponding electrical connectors for connection to the conductors when the display device is mounted on the display holder and an electrically operable display on a front face of the display device, the electrically operable display being connected to the connectors for receiving power and/or data to be displayed from the conductors.

16. A shelving display system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the conductors are mounted in a conductor channel provided by the display holder whereby insertion of a portion of the display device bearing the connectors into the conductor channel ensures contact between the conductors and the connectors/ the conductors being mounted on opposing inner

SUBSTITUTE SHEET walls of the conductor channel with the conductors for supplying power being mounted furthest from the opening of the conductor channel.

17. A shelving display system as claimed in either of claims

15 or 16, wherein the electrically operable display is a liquid crystal (LC) display.

18. A shelving display system as claimed in either of claims

16 or 17, wherein a transmission receiver is further provided on one of the display holder or the cover member and is connected to the conductors for receiving data to be displayed which is transmitted from remotely located transmitters.

19. A shelving display system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the transmission receiver is adapted to receive data to be displayed at radio frequencies.

20. A shelving display system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the transmission receiver is adapted to receive data to be displayed transmitted at infra-red wavelengths.

21. A shelving display system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the transmission receiver is adapted to receive data to be displayed transmitted at ultra-sonic freaquencies.

22. A shelving display system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 5 or 6 to 12.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET