GB2139086A

GB2139086A - A display assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2139086A
Application number: GB08409645A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aynsley Maxwell Brown; Richard Patrick Delaney
Original assignee: Wavin BV
Current assignee: Wavin BV
Priority date: 1984-04-13
Filing date: 1984-04-13
Publication date: 1984-11-07
Also published as: IE830855L; GB2139086B

Abstract

A display assembly comprises a display stand on which is mounted a plurality of vertically juxtaposed holders 3, Fig. 6, for flower pots 4, condiments or spice jars. A plurality of spaced-apart transverse slots 11 are provided in two opposed sides of the stand into which is fitted an enlarged disc portion 23 of a male spigot arm carried by holder 3. Each slot 11 is wider than the disc portion 23 forwardly of its centre to allow relative pivotal movement between the holders 3 and the stand 2 in a substantially horizontal plane. A resiliently mounted pip 35 on the disc 23 and an associated groove 30 in the stand constitute a snap-in fitting for engaging the holder 3 in the stand. The stand may be either wall mounted or mounted on a flat surface. In another arrangement, Fig. 13, the female part 54 is arcuate in transverse cross section and includes an elongate entry mouth 55 having a lower bearing surface 57 and an upper pivot surface 56 for engagement with complementary surfaces on a corresponding male spigot arm 62. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A display assembly The present invention relates to a display assembly and in particular to a display assembly that can allow for many arrangements of articles such as plant pots thereon.

It is known to provide display assemblies in which it is possible to display or to mount thereon a considerable number of articles in mutually vertical juxtaposition or in mixed vertical and horizontal juxtaposition. Many such display stands are relatively expensive to manufacture. The vertical mounting of articles is particularly desirable for example, for plant displays orforthe mounting of articles, condiments, jars of spices or the like.

The present invention is directed towards providing an improved construction of such a display assembly.

According to the invention there is provided a display assembly comprising a display stand for mounting a plurality of articles in a substantially vertically juxtaposed position, and a mounting member for an article, one of the stand or mounting member having a male partfor engagement with a complementary female part on the other of the stand or mounting member and the male and female parts being engagableto allow relative pivotal movement in a substantially horizontal plane.

In one embodiment of the invention one of the male or female parts is wider than the other over at least portion of its length to allow relative pivotal movement in a substantially horizontal plane.

Preferably the female part comprises a rearwardly extending transverse slot in the display stand.

Typically the male part comprises a rearwardly extending spigot arm having an enlarged portion for engagement in the female slot.

Usually the enlarged portion of the arm is substantially circular in longitudinal cross section.

In another embodiment of the invention the male and female part include complementary formations which interengage on fitting the male and female parts together to constitute a snap-in fitting.

Preferably the formations comprise a longitidinally extending groove having a forward stop surface in the stand, and a pip resiliently mounted on the spigot arm and engagable in the groove to secure the article to the stand.

Usually the pip is provided on the enlarged portion of the arm.

In a further embodiment of the invention a plurality of female members are provided on two opposed sides of the display assembly.

In one case at least one side surface of the stand is arranged for wall mounting.

Preferably the side includes a plurality of mounting slots for receiving mounting screws.

In another arrangement the stand includes a base arranged for mounting on a flat surface.

Preferably the stand and one article are arranged so that the article anchors the stand.

Usually a female part in at least one side of the stand is arranaged for mounting a mounting member which forms in use an anchor for the stand.

In this arrangement usually one side of the stand is inclined upwardly from the base.

In another embodiment of the invention the female. part includes an entry mouth having, in the position of use, a lower bearing surface and an upper pivot surface for engagement with complementary surfaces on the male part.

Preferably the female part projects rearwardly and upwardly from the bearing surfaces.

Usually the female part is arcuate in transverse cross section.

In a preferred arrangement the mounting member comprises a holder such as a flower pot holder. The holder may for example comprise an annular ring for receiving a flower pot or may comprise a circular base and a substantially cylindrical side wall upstanding from the base. In this case the male spigot arm may be mounted on the outer surface of the side wall adjacent the rim of the holder.

Usually the stand and mounting member are injection moulded from a plastics material. The invention also provides a display stand and an article for use in the display assembly according to the invention.

In another aspect the invention provides a display assembly comprising a display stand for mounting a plurality of articles in a substantially vertical juxtaposition and a mounting member for an article comprising a male part on either the stand or mounting member and a female part on the other of the stand or mounting member in which the male and female parts include complementary interengagable formations constituting a snap-in fitting for the male part in the female part.

Preferably the formations comprise a longitudinally extending groove having a forward stop surface and a resiliently mounted pip engagable in the groove.

In another aspect the invention provides a display assembly comprising a display stand for mounting a plurality of articles in substantially vertical juxtaposition and a mounting member for an article comprising a male part on either the stand or mounting member and a female part on the other of the stand or mounting member in which the female part includes an entry mouth having, in the position of use, a lower bearing surface and an upper pivot surface for engagement with complementary surfaces on the male part.

Usually the female part is arcuate in transverse cross section.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from one corner of a display stand forming one part of a display assembly according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view from the opposite corner of the display stand of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a flower pot holder forming another part of a display assembly according to the invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the holder of Figure 3 inserted in the stand of Figure 2, Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a display assembly mounted on a table with a number of flower pots, Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of a detail of the assembly of Figure 5, Figure 7 is a partial side view of the display assembly of Figure 4 mounted on a wall, Figure 8 is a plan, partly sectional view illustrating the movement of a holder relative the stand, Figure 9 is a side view- of the display stand, Figure 10 is a back view of the stand, Figure 11 is a sectional view of the stand in the direction of the arrows X1-X1 in Figure 9, Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view of the stand, Figure 13 is a perspective view of a display assembly for flower pots, according to another aspect of the invention, Figure 14 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the display assembly of Figure 13, and Figure 15 is a perspective view of portion of the display assembly in the direction of the arrow A of Figure 14.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figures 1 to 12 thereof, there is illustrated a display assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 comprising a display stand 2 and a mounting member, in this case a pot-holder 3 for reception of a flower-pot 4. The stand 2 and holder 3 are injection moulded from any suitable plastics material.

The display stand 2 in this embodiment is substantially rectangular in horizontal cross-section and comprises a base 5, top 6, rear wall 7, a front wall 8, and side walls 9 extending between the base and top. Both the front wall 8 and rearwall 7 are formed with a plurality of spaced-apart female parts indicated generally by the reference number 10. Each female part 10 comprises a transverse slot 11 extending rearwardly, in the case of a slot in the front wall 8 or forwardly in the case of a slot in the rear wall 7. It will be noted that each slot 11 in the front wall 8 is interposed between slots in the rear wall 7 which facilitates the mounting of a large number of pot holders 3 in any desired vertical juxtaposition on the stand 2.

The rear wall 7 of the stand 2 is flat so that it can be mounted directly on a flat surface such as a wall 12 as illustrated in Figure 7. A plurality of mounting slots 13 are provided in the rearwall 7 through which wall mounting screws 14 are inserted. Access to the mounting slots 13 is through a slot 11 in the front wall 8. It will also be noted that the base 5 ofthe stand 2 is substantially flat so that it can rest on any suitable flat surface such as a table or window ledge as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

Each pot holder 3 has a circular base 20, and a cylindrical side wall 21 upstanding from the base 20.

A male spigot arm 22 is mounted on the outer surface of the cylindrical side wall 21 adjacent the rim of the holder 3. The male part 22 includes an enlarged disc portion 23 and a connecting portion 24 of reduced cross section interconnecting the disc portion 23 with the side wall 21 of the holder 3. The disc portion 23 is a sliding fit in a transverse slot 11 and is narrower than the slot 11 forwardly of the centre of disc portion 23 so that the holder 3 may be easily pivoted in the direction of the arrow D as shown in Figure 8 to allow adjustment ofthe holder in a horizontal plane into positions, for example as illustrated by dashed lines 25 in Figure 8.

The male spigot part 22 and transverse slot 11 are formed with complementary interengagable forma- tions constituting a snap-in connection for retaining the holder 3 against pull-out forces. In this case the formations comprises grooves 30 extending alter nately from the rear wall 7 and front wall 8 of the stand 2, and a pip 35 upstanding from a resiliently mounted lug 36 extending from the extremity of the disc portion 23 as is best shown in Figure 8. Each groove 30 terminates in a stop surface 32 against which the pip 35 bears to retain the pot-holder in position in its slot 11.

In use, when the disc portion 23 is offered up to a transverse slot 11 in the stand 2 the pip 35 lies proud of the slot 11 and on insertion of the disc portion 23 into the slot 11 the pip 35 is displaced downwardly against the resilience of the lug 36. When the disc portion 23 has been inserted into the slot 11 the pip 35 engages in the groove 30. For removal of the disc portion 23 from its slot 11 the upper edge of the pip 35 is chamfered at 37 to allow the pip to be pulled out of its groove 30.

Referring particularly to Figures 5 and 6 and as mentioned above, the stand 2 may be mounted on a flat surface such as a table top or window ledge. In this case, the lowermost pot holder 3 is inserted in a slot 11 in the front wall 8 in a position so that the base 20 of the holder 3 rests on the flat surface, thus providing an anchor for the stand 2. It will be noted that the front wall 8 of the stand 2 is inclined upwardly and inwardly from the base 5 to reduce the risk of a toppling moment being developed about the axis of the stand 2 when heavy plants are inserted in the holders.

Referring particularlyto Figures 13to 15 there is illustrated a display assembly according to another embodiment of the invention comprising a display stand 51, and a mounting member for an article in this case a pot holder 52 into which is inserted a flower pot 63. The display stand 51 and pot holder 52 are manufactured from a suitable plastics material.

The display stand 51 in this embodiment is of quadrant shape in cross-section but could be either circular in which case it may be free-standing or alternatively semi-circular. The quadrant shape is particularly suitable for mounting in a corner.

The display stand 51 has a plurality of female parts indicated generally by the reference numeral 54.

Each female part 54 includes an entry mouth 55 of elongate shape. Above the entry mouth 55 is an upper pivot surface 56 and below it there is a lower bearing surfce 57. The upper pivot surface 56 and the lower bearing surface 57 are recessed from the outer cylindrical surface 58 of the display stand 51. The display stand 51 is further recessed at 59 and 60 outwardly of the upper pivot surface 56 and lower bearing surface 57. As will be apparent from Figure 14the female member is of substantially arcuate shape projecting rearwardly and upwardly from the surface 56 and 57 respectively.

The pot holder 52 is an annular ring 61 on which is mounted a male spigot arm 62 having an upper pivot surface 63 and a lower bearing surface 64. The male spigot part 62 is shaped to fit within the female part 54 as can be readily seen from the drawings.

In use, a male part 62 is inserted into the female part 54 and because of its shape it will pivot downwards so that its lower bearing surface 64 engages against the lower bearing surface 57 of the display stand 51. The weight of the holder 52 and pot 63 is thus distributed through the lower bearing surface 57 and also, because of the arcuate shape of the male and female parts through an upper bearing surface 66 extending rearwardly upwardly from the pivot surface 63. The weight distribution is ill ustrated by the arrows X in Figure 14. Thus, the weight of the male part 62 retains it in position in the female part 54. The holder 61 can be readily easily removed by pivoting it upwards in the direction of the arrow B as shown in Figure 14.Once it is pivoted upwards the upper pivot surface 63 will bear against the upper pivot surface 56 of the female part thus allowing the male part 62 to pivot out of the display stand 51. It will be noted that the male part 62 may be moved transversely of the female part 54 in the direction of the arrow C for relative pivotal movement in a substantially horizontal plane.

One advantage of the invention is that it provides a display assembly which may be used to accommodate a large number of articles in substantially vertical juxtaposition but with a wide range of horizontal positions forthe articles being available.

Further, the display assembly can be used for either wall mounting or for mounting on a flat surface as desired. It can also be easily assembled or disassembled by the user.

It will be appreciated that instead of providing the male part on the mounting member and the female part on the stand they may be reversed. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any suitable shape of male and female part may be provided.

It will also be appreciated that while the invention has been described as relating specifically to a display assembly for plant pots it may be applied to an assembly for displaying any other articles such as condiments, jars of spices either in the home or as part of a commercial display. In this connection it will be appreciated that the mounting members or articles may be suitably adapted for these alternative mounting arrangements. Thus, the mounting member may comprise a shelf or support bracket.

It will also be appreciated that the display stand of the assembly may be provided with one or any number of female parts which may be arranged on opposed sides, adjacent sides or extend all around the stand.

It will further be appreciated that the display stand of the assembly may be formed from a number of sections which may be interengaged for example by snap fitting to form a display stand of any required height. Thus, the stand may be increased or decreased in size as desired.

In the case where the display stand is mounted on a flat surface such as a window ledge ortable it is not essential that one of the articles be arranged for anchoring the stand as in some configurations such as anchorage may not be necessary. As an alterna tive the stand could for example be secured to the window ledge or table in any convenient manner.

It will also be appreciated that the formations for snap fitting the article in the stand may comprise a pip upstanding from a resiliently mounted lug which extends through the disc portion and mid-way along the connecting portion of the spigot arm. In this case the pip may be released from its associated groove by inserting a finger into the groove from behind or alternatively the lug may be displaced downwardly by fingernail pressure applied to release the pip from its groove. Indeed, an additional pip may be provided on the lug for this purpose and it is envisaged that this additional pip may be positioned against the front wall of the stand to assist in positive location of the holder in its slot. The lug of course need not extend into the connecting portion in which case the pip may be pressed downwardly by inserting the finger into the groove.

Claims

1. A display assembly comprising a display stand for mounting a plurality of articles in a substantially vertically juxtaposed position, and a mounting member for an article one of the stand or mounting member having a male part for engagemenu with a complementary female part on the other of the stand or mounting member and the male and female parts being engagable to allow relative pivotal movement in a substantially horizontal plane.

2. A display assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which one of the male or female part is wider than the other over at least portion of its length to allow relative pivotal movement in a substantially horizontal plane.

3. A display assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the female part comprises a rearwardly extending transverse slot in the display stand.

4. A display assembly as claimed in claim 3 in which the male part comprises a rearwardly extending spigot arm having an enlarged portion for engagement in the female slot.

5. A display assembly as claimed in claim 4 in which the enlarged portion of the arm is substantially circular in longitudinal cross section.

6. A display assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 in which the male and female parts include complementary formations which interengage on fitting the male and female parts together to constitute a snap-in fitting.

7. A display assembly as claimed in claim 6 in which the formations comprise a longitudinally extending groove having a forward stop surface in the stand, and a pip resiliently mounted on the spigot arm and engagable in the groove to secure the article to the stand.

8. A display assembly as claimed in claim 7 in which the pip is provided on the enlarged portion of the arm.

9. A display assembly as claimed in any of claims 3 to 8 in which a plurality of female members are provided on two opposed sides of the display assembly.

10. A display assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 in which at least one side of the stand is arrangedforwall mounting.

11. A display assembly as claimed in claim 10 in which the side includes a plurality of mounting slots for receiving mounting screws.

12. A display assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 in which the stand includes a base arranged for mounting on a flat surface.

13. A display assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12 in which the stand and one article are arranged so that the article anchors the stand.

14. A display assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13 in which a female part in at least one side ofthe stand is arranged for mounting a mounting member which forms, in use, an anchor for the stand.

15. A display assembly as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14 in which one side of the stand is inclined upwardly from the base.

16. A display assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15 in which the female part includes an entry mouth having, in the position of use, a lower bearing surface and an upper pivot surface for engagement with complementary surfaces on the male part.

17. A display assembly as claimed in claim 16 in which the female part projects rearwardly and upwardly from the bearing surfaces.

18. A display assembly as claimed in claim 17 in which the female part is arcuate in transverse cross section.

19. A display assembly as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 18 in which the mounting member comprises a holder.

20. A display assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19 in which the mounting member comprises a flower pot holder.

21. A display assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 20 in which the holder comprises an annular ring for receiving a flowr pot.

22. A display assembly as claimed in claim 20 or 21 in which the holder comprises a circular base and a substantially cylindrical side wall upstanding from the base.

23. A holder as claimed in claim 22 in which the male spigot arm is mounted on the outer surface of the side wall adjacent the rim of the holder.

24. A display assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 23 in which the stand and mounting member are injection moulded from a plastics material.

25. A display assembly comprising a display stand for mounting a plurality of articles in a substantially vertical juxtaposition and a mounting member for an article comprising a male part on either the stand or mounting member and a female part on the other of the stand or mounting member in which the male and female parts include complementary inter-engagable formations constituting a snap-in fitting forthe male part in the female part.

26. A display assembly as claimed in claim 25 in which the formations comprise a longitudinally extending groove having a forward stop surface and a resiliently mounted pip engagable in the groove.

27. A display assembly comprising a display stand for mounting a plurality of articles in substantially vertical juxtaposition and a mounting member for an article comprising a male part on either the stand or mounting member and a female part on the other of the stand or mounting member in which the female part includes an entry mouth having, in the position of use, a lower bearing surface and an upper pivot surface for engagement with complementary surfaces on the male part.

28. A display assembly as claimed in claim 27 in which the female part projects rearwardly and upwardly of the bearing surface.

29. A display assembly as claimed in claim 28 in which the female part is arcuate in transverse cross section.

30. A display stand for use in the assembly of any of claims 1 to 24, 25 or 26, and 27 to 29.

31. A mounting member for use in the assembly of any of claims 1 to 24, 25 or 26, and 27 to 29.

32. A display assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the drawings.

33. A display assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 12. of the accompanying drawings.

34. A display assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 13 to 15 of the accompanying drawings.