GB2122479A - Display unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A display structure particularly for the display of flat articles comprises a number of display units which are stacked one upon the other, preferably on a base unit. The structure includes at least one display unit which affords an inclined supporting member, such as a panel carrying a releasable display member (50). Additional units may be similarly formed, and alternative units, affording for example a shelf are provided. The display member (50) includes parallel panels (52, 53, 54) each having an inclined ledge (55, 56, 57) at its lower edge, and a lip (58, 59, 60) is provided at the forward edge of each ledge. In use, flat articles (A) placed on the ledges tend to slide forwardly and downwardly into the corner between the ledge and the lip, so as to be supported in a stable manner with their upper edges resting against the adjacent panel. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Display structures This invention relates to display structures ofthe kind commonly used as fixtures in shopsforthe display of articles for sale. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a structure intended primarilyforthe display ofgenerallyflat articles, such as greeting cards, books, records or other generally similar items which are conveniently displayed in a generally upright position with a face thereof pre sented towards a purchaser.

One popularly used structure of this type includes a base portion which contains one or more storage drawers or cupboards, and a display portion which inclines generally upwardly and rearwardly above the base portion and is provided with several ledges on which the articles to bedisplayed can be placed. Such ledges sometimes having a barrierstrip or lip attheir forward edges to preventthe articles slipping forwardly offthe ledges.

One disadvantage of such known structures is that they provide little, if any, flexibilitywith regard to the arrangement of articles thereon, or the changing of displays. Also, where the articles are rested on a ledge having a lip, it is frequently possiblefor a flat article to adopt a position in which, instead of inclining rear wardlyand being supported effectively over its full height, it inclines forwardly and is supported only near its lower edge, by means of the lip, with the attendant risk of damage or deformation.

Itis amongst the objects of the present invention to provide a display structure which overcomes at least some ofthese disadvantages, or having other improvements.

In accordance with the invention, we provide a display structure comprising two or more separate display units arranged one above the other, at least the lowermost having an inclined supporting member arranged atan acute angletothe horizontal, and each such supporting member receiving releasably there- on a display member affording a plurality of ledges on which articles may be placed for display.

In this way, each display unit may carry one of several differenttypes of display member, for exam ple adapted forthe display of articles of different sizes, and displays may be changed simply and quickly by exchanging loaded display members.

One or more further types of display unit may be provided to be interchangeable with some ofthe aforementioned display units. For example, whilstthe upper display units may be constructed in a similar mannerto the lowermost display unit, i.e. by having an inclined supporting memberfor receiving a display member, at least one of said units incorporate one or more fixed or adjustable shelves, or comprise an open container or bin, or a closed display cabinet.

Thus, a structure in accordance with the invention may be reassembled from time -to - time with different combinations of display units to suit, for example, seasonal requirements.

In this way, the display structure may also be used alternativelyforthe display of other types of articles, which are of a kind not conveniently displayed on the inclined display members, in the immediate vicinity of said inclined display members, for example birthday cards and birthday gifts can be displayed on the same structure in respective display units.

Conveniently, the display structure includes a further, base unit which affords one or more storage drawers or cupboards, the display units being stacked thereon.

The lowermost display unit preferably includes an inclined frontface which serves as said supporting member, and the front faces or edges of subsequent units stacked thereon most conveniently are inclined in alignment with the inclined frontface of the lowermost display unit.

The display units may include end panels and such end panels may have front edges which align with the inclined frontface so that the whole structure decreases in front - to - back width from the bottom of the lowermost display unit to the top of the structure.

Alternatively, the display unit may have end panels ofconstantfront-to- backwidth.

Most conveniently, the display units include upright back panels so thatthey can be placed against a wall or back-to - backtoform a double-sided display structure. However, itwould be possible to form double - sided display units which incorporate a pair of outwardly inclined supporting members.

In accordance with an especially preferred feature of this invention,the display memberwhich is releasably carried by any ofthe display units has the ledges thereof arranged at such an angle to the inclined plane ofthe supporting memberthat generally flat articles rested thereon in a generally upright position tend to slide forwardly and downwardly towards a retaining lip which is provided attheforward edge of each such ledge.

In this way, articles cannot, or cannot easily, adopt a position in which they lean forwardly as mentioned above, and additionally the height of the lip can be made less than previous designs so as to obscure less of an article lodged behind such lip. Alternatively, the lip may be made of a transparent material.

The invention will now be described byway of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 shows part of a row of display structures in accordance with the invention, in perspective view, but omitting the display members; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a display member for use with such structures; and FIGURE 3 is a corresponding side view of such display member illustrating a range of possible positions of use.

The display structures illustrated in Figure 1 each comprise at leasttwo superposed units which are releasably stacked together. Each such structure includes a base unit 10 and a lower display unit 20. An optional upper display unit 30 is shown in association with one of the structures, and an alternative shelf display unit 40 is shown on another.

The base units 10, as illustrated, comprise a body 11 affording end panels 12, top panel 13 and back panel 14. Each unit 10 includes a slidable storage drawer 15 affording a front panel 16 designed to match the end panels 12. Instead of single drawer 15, such units could include two or more shallower drawers ortwo or more narrower drawers. Alternatively, the base units could be formed as cupboards with one or more opening doors. In any case where no provision for storage is required, a furtherform of base unit could be constructed as a plinth solelyforthe purpose of supporting the display units.

As shown, the back panel 14 ofthe base unit 10 matches the front panel 16 ofthe drawer. This enables the base unit to be used separately as a free-standing item when required, or it can be assembled into a display structure with the back panel 14 facing forwardly so thatthe drawer 15 is not accessible, if it is intendednotto make use ofthestoragefacilityinthat particular structure.

The lower display units 20 rest directly on the base units 10 and may, if required, be located positively thereon by means of any suitable formations, such as pegs on one unit received in holes formed in the other unit, and by means of bolts.

Each lower display unit 20 includes end panels 22, a top panel 23, a back panel 24 and an inclined front panel 26. A base panel (not shown) may be provided, oralternativelythe units 20 may be open attheir undersides. Likewise the back panel 24 may be replaced by an open frame. As illustrated, each lower display unit 20 includes an upwardly angled strip 27 at a lower edge of the front panel 26 and a similar strip 28 atthe upper edge thereof. The lower strip 27 is formed or provided with an upwardly projecting lip 27a at its upper edge. Between the two strips 27 and 28, a display member 50 (Figure 2) is releasably assembled with the unit.Such member 50 is adaptedforthe display of generally flat articles, e.g. greeting cards, books, records or the like, as hereinafter described, and several different types of display member may be provided, having for example varying numbers of ledgesforthe display of articles of varying height.

Such display members can readily be interchanged as required, particularly whilst stocked with such articles.

Various additional display units can also be incorporated into the display structures, as illustrated by units 30 and 40. Such additional units are adapted to be stacked on top ofthe lower display units 20. One such additional unit, the upper display unit 30, may be similar in general construction to the units 20, and include end panels 32, a back panel 34 and an inclined front panel 36, which is preferably disposed, as shown, at the same inclination as the front panel 26 of the units 20, and in alignmenttherewith when in use.

However, if desired, the inclination could differ. As illustrated, the front panel 36 meets the back panel 34 at the upper edge of the unit 30, but itwill be understood that such a unit could include a top panel, especially if provision isto be madeforafurther, generally similar, display unit to be stacked on top of the unit 30, to make a higher display structure.

The unit 30 includes an angled strip 38 at its upper edge and, in use, a display member 50 may be assembled on the front panel 36 between the upper strip 28 ofthe adjacentfirst display unit 20 and the strip 38 ofthe unit 30. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the upper strip 28 of the unit 20, the unit 30 may have a lower angled strip similarto the strip 27.

Thus by means of an upper display 30, a display presented on the lowermost display 20 may be extended upwardly.

Alternatively, if it is desired to display different types of articles which may be associated with the articles carried on the lowermost display unit 20, such unit may carry a shelf display unit such as that indicated at 40. This display unit isgenerallysimilartothe unit 30, in that it includes triangular end panels 42 and a back panel 44,with an angled strip 48 attheupper edge.

However, it is open-fronted and includes a transverse shelf 49 extending between the side panels 42. The top panel 23 ofthe adjacent unit 20 also serves as a shelf, and accordingly the unit 40 effectively providestwo shelves above the display unit20forthe display of associated items. If desired, the unit 40 may incorporate two or more shelves, which may themselves be fixed or adjustable in position.

Assembly ofthe various units into a display structure by simple stacking enables a wide variety of such structures to be formed and lengthwise arrangementofseveral structures into a row, as illustrated, enables a particularly effective display to be presented. Some or all of such structures may include an additional unit 30 or40, and particularly where a structure consisting only of a base unit 10 and a displayunit20 is placed betweentwofurtherstructurves each having afurtherdisplay unit30 or40,the top panel 23 ofthe unit 20 of the middle structure may also serve as a display shelf, as shown. If desired, the base units 10 could themselves be constructed so asto be stackable, so that the height ofthefirst display unit above the floor could be increased.Alternatively, instead of utilising such base units, it would be possible to use a shallower base unit or plinth, so that the height of first display unit is less than those illustrated.

In the illustrated embodiment, the backs ofthe units are upright, so that the assembled structures may be arranged either against a wall, or in back to - back relation to form a double - sided display. However, alternatively units could be constructed in a doublesided form, each affording a pair of oppositely presented inclined "front" panels for example.

Whilst, as shown, the display units as a whole taper in front-to - back width and from bottom - to -top, it would be possible to utilise end panels of rectangular shape, so that the front panels are effectively recessed between such end panels, and a row of display structures is thereby divided into separate sections, ratherthan being effectively continouous, as illustrated.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the display members 50 each comprise a body 51, which may bevacuum formed from suitable plastics material comprising a shallowtraywith a peripheral flange and offering a series of spaced parallel panels 52, 53, 54 having respective transversely extending ledges 55, 56, 57 at their lower edges. Thetransition of the lower edge of each panel between the panel and the associated ledge is preferably smoothly curved. Two strips 58, 59 of preferably transparent plastics material are secured by any suitable means, e.g. by adhesive, in respective rebates 53a, 54aformed at the upper edges of the panels 53, 54, which strips form respective in-line extensions atthe upper end of such panelsto serve as retaining lips at the forward edges ofthe ledges 55,56.

Similarly, the lowermost ledge 57 is provided with a lip afforded by one flange 60 of an angle section strip 61 which is secured by means of its otherflange 62 to the peripheral flange ofthe body 51 atthe lower edge thereof.

The inclination of each ledge 55,56,57 is preferably in the range 45" to 600, typically 55 , as measured from plane normal to the respective adjacent panel 52,53, 54, atthejunction with the ledge, i.e. the obtuse.

In use, when the member 50 is in generally upright position, as represented by the range of angular positions indicated at I in Figure 3, generally flat articles Awhich are supported on the ledges to lie against the adjacent panels will slide forwardly and downwardlyoverthe ledges so asto be retained by lips.Accordingly, when the display member 50 is in a substantially upright position, as shown at 50a, the ledges are inclined to the horizontal at an angle about 55" and an article Al placed therein will adopt a stable position as indicted. In this position there is little risk of the article being dislodged to a forwardly inclined position in which itwould be supported only adjacent to its lower edge, and if an article is inadvertently displaced to such a position, it will not be stable in that position, and cannot remain there, so that anyone inspecting the article will haveto replace it correctly on the display member.

Wherethe display member50 is used at a less steeply inclined angle, such as shown at 50b, the risk of an article A2 adopting a forwardly inclined position is still further reduced, and again, in practice, it is impossibleforan article to be positioned on the display member in a forwardly inclined position such that it is supported only adjacent to its lower edge.The obtuse angle between each panel and its associated ledge is so chosen that for all inclinations ofthe member 50 at which the articles could otherwise fall forward relatively easily, the ledge is at such an angle to the horizontal as effectively to ensurethatthe article will slide into contact with the lip at its lower edge, whilst when the ledge is too nearto the horizontal for this to happen, as shown at 50c, the inclination ofthe panels is such that the articles A3 would not be able to adopt a stable forwardly inclined position resting on the lip because the upper edge of the lip is not disposed forwardly ofthejunction between the associated ledge and panel.

Thus, at all inclinations, the display member 50 will support flat articles in the intended manner.

Whilst it is convenient to use strips 58,59,61 of transparent material so that the lower portions of the articles A can be seen, it would alternatively be possible to use non-transparent strips of reduced height, since the design ofthe member 20, in particularthe inclined arrangement ofthe ledges, ensures that the articles are at all times held in the intended position, resting rearwardly againstthe panels 52 to 54.

The display members 50 are simply placed loosely on the front panels 26,36 ofthe units 20,30 and such panels serve as supporting membersforthe display members. The latter can readily be removed to enable other, pre-loaded display members to be put in their place. Inthis way, the display can very easily be changed.

However, it is additionally to be noted that the display members may be made in a range of different types, for example, for accommodating articles of differing height, such display members having differing numbers of ledges spaced at appropriately varied intervals.

In accordance with a furtherfeature ofthe invention, by virtue ofthe factthatthe units 30, 40 etc can be removed entirely from the structure and changed when necessary, the type of display structure may be altered as required.

In particular, other types of display unit could be substituted for the units 30 and 40, for example in the form of open-fronted containers or bins, or in the form of a closed cabinetwith doors. Thus, the natureofthe display structure can be varied quite readily according to changing requirements.

Whilst the units 20, 30 and 40 conveniently are all of the same height, with each inclined face disposed at the same angle to the verticle, it would be possible to utilise display units of varying height andlor inclination so as to provide more still variation in the overall design ofthe display structure.

As previously mentioned, the inclined front panels 26, 36 of the units 20, 30 could be supported between rectangular end panels so as to be recessed between such panels. In this case, the successive inclined front panels need not be aligned to form an effectively continuous display as illustrated, but instead each such display unit could be identical to the lowermost display unit, so as to form a structure of constant front -to-backdepth.

The invention thus affords a particularly versatile display structure which can be erected as a freestanding structure, and altered as and when required, although it would be possible to make provision for securing the units to a wall or a supporting framework where considered appropiate.

Claims (25)

1. A display structure comprising two or more separate display units arranged one above another, at least the lowermost having an inclined supporting member arranged at an acute angle to the horizontal, and each such supporting member receiving releasably thereon a display member affording a plurality of ledges on which articles may be placed for display.

2. A display structure according to Claim 1 wherein each display unit is provided with such a supporting member.

3. A display structure according to Claim 1 wherein at least one of said display units is not adapted to receive such a display member.

4. A display structure according to Claim 3 wherein one of said units incorporates one or more fixed or adjustable shelves.

5. A display structure according to Claim 3wherein one of such units comprises an open container or bin.

6. A display structure according to Claim 3 wherein one of such units comprises a closed display cabinet.

7. A display structure according to any one of the preceding claims additionally including a base unit, the display units being stacked thereon.

8. A display structure according to Claim 7 wherein said base unit affords one or more storage drawers or cupboards.

9. Adisplaystructure accordingto anyone ofthe preceding claims wherein the lowermost display unit includes an inclined frontface which serves as said supporting member.

10. Adisplaystructure according to Claim 9 wherein the front faces or edges of supperposed units stacked thereon are inclined in alignment with the inclined frontface of the lowermost display unit.

11. A display structure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the display units include end panels having front edges which align with the inclined front face.

12. Adisplay structure according to any one of Claims 1 to 10 wherein the display units have end panels of constantfront - to - back width.

13. A display structure according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the display units include upright back panels whereby they may be placed against a wall or in back-to - back relationship to form a double-sided display structure.

14. A display structure according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 wherein each display unit incorporates a pair of mutually inclined supporting membersto form a double-sided display.

15. Adisplay structure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the display member which is releasably carried by any ofthe display units has the ledges thereof arranged at such an angle to the inclined plane ofthe supporting memberthat generallyflat articles rested thereon in a generally upright position tend to slide forwardly and downwardly towards a retaining lip which is provided at the forward edge of each such ledge.

16. A display structure according to Claim 15 wherein each display member comprises a plurality of spaced parallel panels having respective transversely extending ledges at their lower edges with respective lips atthe forward edges of such ledges, the ledges being disposed at an obtuse angle relative to the adjacent panels such that, in use, generally flat articles placed on the display memberwith their lower edges on said ledges, tend to slideforwardly and downward lytowardssaid lips so as to incline rearwardly and be supportd by said panels attheir upper edges.

17. Adisplaystructure according to Claim 16 wherein said obtuse angle between the respective panels and ledges is in the range 1350 to 1500.

18. A displaystructure according to Claim 16 or Claim 17wherein said display members comprise shallow trays of plastics material, vacuum formed to the desired shape, with additional strips of material secured thereto define said ledges.

19. A display member comprising a plurality of spaced parallel panels having respective transversely extending ledges at their lower edges with respective lips attheforward edges of such ledges, the ledges being disposed at an obtuse angle relative to the adjacent panels such that, when in use in a generally upright position, generallyflat articles placed on the display memberwith their lower edges on said ledges,tend to slide forwardly and downwardly towards said lips so as to incline rearwardly and be supported by said panels attheir upper edges.

20. A display member wherein said obtuse angle between the respective panels and ledges is in the range 135ato 150 .

21. A display member according to Claim 19 or Claim 20 comprising a shallowtray of plastics material, vacuum formed to the desired shape, with additional strips of material secured thereto to define said ledges.

22. A display structure including a plurality of display units substantiallyas hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 ofthe accompanying drawings.

23. Adisplay structure according to Claim 22 furthercomprising a display member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 2 and 3 ofthe accompanying drawings.

24. A display member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 2 and 3 ofthe accompanying drawings.

25. Adisplaystructure and a display member comprising any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.