GB2107176A

GB2107176A - Tubular section for supporting shelves

Info

Publication number: GB2107176A
Application number: GB08226492A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Reith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-10-09
Filing date: 1982-09-17
Publication date: 1983-04-27
Also published as: ZA826884B; FR2514464A1

Abstract

An upright, having any cross- sectional shape, for supporting shelving at different levels comprises at least one longitudinal groove, at the bottom of which a series of spaced slots may be provided; has removably affixed thereto, by clipping or sliding, at least one decorative element, of any colour and having a cross-sectional shape either similar to or different from that of the part of the tubular section between any two said grooves thereof. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Tubular section for supporting shelves To draw the attention of buyers, tradespeople, whether they are small shopkeepers or managers of large stores or supermarkets, must change as often as possible what they put on show, more especially articles put on sale, or the presentation thereof.

It is difficult, or rather expensive, to change the appearance of the shop, or of the departments, and it is easier to change the presentation.

It is in this spirit that the present invention provides a tubular section, having any crosssectional shape, for supporting shelves at different levels and comprising for this purpose at least one longitudinal groove, often called entrance, at the bottom of which a rack may be provided, this tubular section being adapted for the removable fixing thereto, by clipping or sliding, of at least one decorative element, of any colour and having a cross-sectional shape similar to or different from that of the part of the tubular section between any two entrances of this tubular section, if it has more than one, or of a single decorative element ccmpletely surrounding this tubular section, except its entrance if it has only one, or one of its entrances if it has more than one, while leaving free access to the bottom of the corresponding entrance(s).

The accompanying drawings show by way of example one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the tubular section; and Figures 2 to 5 show similarly, but on a smaller scale, variations thereof.

The tubular section shown comprises four entrances 1, between two inward projections 2 and 3 and bottom 4 formed by a rack; these entrances which have then the shape of an outwardly open C are joined together by outwardly concave surfaces 5.

To modify the appearance of these tubular sections decorative elements may be fitted thereto, of different colours, easy to position and remove, whose number and shape may vary; these decorative elements may more especially be made from plastic materials or from metal.

Thus figure 1 shows a decorative element 6 covering a quarter of the periphery of the tubular section and which may be fixed by sliding between two adjacent entrances of this tubular section; it takes on exactly the shape of a sector of said tubular section and its two inwardly bent ends form hooks 7 and 8 gripping round the inward projections 2 and 3 of the corresponding entrances of the tubular section and thus removably secure the decorative element thereto.

In the variation of figure 2 the decorative element shown 9, instead of only covering a quarter of the periphery of the tubular section, covers a half of it; it assumes exactly, as in the preceding case, the shape of the tubular section and its inwardly bent ends 10 and 11 cooperate with the inward projections of the diametrically opposite entrances of the tubular section.

In the same spirit, the decorative element 12, shown in figure 3, covers three quarters of the perimeter of the tubular section and that 1 3, shown in figure 4, covers the whole of its perimeter.

The tubular section may have fitted thereto a single one of the decorative elements of figures 1 to 4, or several of the decorative elements of figures 1 to 5, these being possibly all of the same colour or of different colours.

Furthermore, as was pointed out above, these decorative elements may have cross-sectional shapes such that they do not mate exactly with the outer surface of the tubular section on which they are fitted and may be even quite different; thus in figure 5 a decorative element is shown covering only a quarter of the perimeter of the tubular section of figure 1, like the decorative element of figure 1, but whose shape is rounded instead of being angular; the decorative elements of figures 2 to 4 may be formed in the same way.

It will be readily understood that such a tubular section with its decorative elements may assume infinite variations; the one shown in the drawings offers however the advantage of being able to be used at will with one, two three of four decorative elements, of any appropriate shape, but also as it is, without any decoration, particularly if it is made from a metal or plastic material having a certain lustre.

It will of course be understood that the embodiments of the invention which have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given purely by way of indication and are in no wise limiting.

1. A tubular section, having a cross-sectional shape, for supporting shelves at different levels and comprising for this purpose at least one longitudinal groove, often called entrance, in the bottom of which a rack may be provided, characterized in that it is adapted so as to allow the removable fixing, by clipping or sliding, of at least one decorative element, of any colour and having a cross-sectional shape similar to or different from that of the part of the tubular section between any two entrances of this tubular section, if it has more than one, or of a single decorative element surrounding the whole of this tubular section, except its entrance if it has only one, or one of its entrances if it has more than one, while leaving free access to the bottom of the corresponding entrance(s).

2. The tubular section according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises four entrances (1), between two outward projections (2, 3) and a bottom (4) formed by a rack.

3. The tubular section according to claim 1, characterized in that its decorative element may

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Tubular section for supporting shelves To draw the attention of buyers, tradespeople, whether they are small shopkeepers or managers of large stores or supermarkets, must change as often as possible what they put on show, more especially articles put on sale, or the presentation thereof. It is difficult, or rather expensive, to change the appearance of the shop, or of the departments, and it is easier to change the presentation. It is in this spirit that the present invention provides a tubular section, having any crosssectional shape, for supporting shelves at different levels and comprising for this purpose at least one longitudinal groove, often called entrance, at the bottom of which a rack may be provided, this tubular section being adapted for the removable fixing thereto, by clipping or sliding, of at least one decorative element, of any colour and having a cross-sectional shape similar to or different from that of the part of the tubular section between any two entrances of this tubular section, if it has more than one, or of a single decorative element ccmpletely surrounding this tubular section, except its entrance if it has only one, or one of its entrances if it has more than one, while leaving free access to the bottom of the corresponding entrance(s). The accompanying drawings show by way of example one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the tubular section; and Figures 2 to 5 show similarly, but on a smaller scale, variations thereof. The tubular section shown comprises four entrances 1, between two inward projections 2 and 3 and bottom 4 formed by a rack; these entrances which have then the shape of an outwardly open C are joined together by outwardly concave surfaces 5. To modify the appearance of these tubular sections decorative elements may be fitted thereto, of different colours, easy to position and remove, whose number and shape may vary; these decorative elements may more especially be made from plastic materials or from metal. Thus figure 1 shows a decorative element 6 covering a quarter of the periphery of the tubular section and which may be fixed by sliding between two adjacent entrances of this tubular section; it takes on exactly the shape of a sector of said tubular section and its two inwardly bent ends form hooks 7 and 8 gripping round the inward projections 2 and 3 of the corresponding entrances of the tubular section and thus removably secure the decorative element thereto. In the variation of figure 2 the decorative element shown 9, instead of only covering a quarter of the periphery of the tubular section, covers a half of it; it assumes exactly, as in the preceding case, the shape of the tubular section and its inwardly bent ends 10 and 11 cooperate with the inward projections of the diametrically opposite entrances of the tubular section. In the same spirit, the decorative element 12, shown in figure 3, covers three quarters of the perimeter of the tubular section and that 1 3, shown in figure 4, covers the whole of its perimeter. The tubular section may have fitted thereto a single one of the decorative elements of figures 1 to 4, or several of the decorative elements of figures 1 to 5, these being possibly all of the same colour or of different colours. Furthermore, as was pointed out above, these decorative elements may have cross-sectional shapes such that they do not mate exactly with the outer surface of the tubular section on which they are fitted and may be even quite different; thus in figure 5 a decorative element is shown covering only a quarter of the perimeter of the tubular section of figure 1, like the decorative element of figure 1, but whose shape is rounded instead of being angular; the decorative elements of figures 2 to 4 may be formed in the same way. It will be readily understood that such a tubular section with its decorative elements may assume infinite variations; the one shown in the drawings offers however the advantage of being able to be used at will with one, two three of four decorative elements, of any appropriate shape, but also as it is, without any decoration, particularly if it is made from a metal or plastic material having a certain lustre. It will of course be understood that the embodiments of the invention which have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given purely by way of indication and are in no wise limiting. CLAIMS

3. The tubular section according to claim 1, characterized in that its decorative element may be fixed between two entrances of the tubular section and its two inwardly bent ends form hooks (7, 8) gripping round the inward projections (2, 3) of the corresponding entrances of the tubular section and so provide removable fixing of the shaped decorative element thereto.