GB2194435A - Adjustable height display stand - Google Patents

Abstract

A display stand comprises a base unit 10 supporting at least one upper unit 24 on which items may be displayed, the or each upper unit being movable relative to the base unit and fixable in one of a number of predetermined positions relative to the base unit by operation of a latch. A latch is provided for each upper unit and is described as a member 34 pivotally mounted at 40 in or on one of said units and movable from a first position, Fig. 2A-in which the member extends into one of a number of apertures 30 at predetermined spacing on the other of said units-into a second position enabling the upper unit to be moved. The member 34 may be biased into said first position by gravity, but is preferably positively biased by a spring. Latch release means comprise an upwardly movable rod 50. A plurality of display stands may be interconnected by link members extending between and attached to upper units of the different stands. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Display stands and systems The invention relates to display stands and systems and particularly, but not exclusively, concerns stands and systems for displaying goods for sale.

Display units comprising stands, racks, shelves and the like on which goods for sale are displayed are well known, as are display stands comprising boarding or other supports upon which advertisements are displayed or goods for sale are hung.

A problem with the use of the display stands known to us arises if there is need to adjust or alter their formation (for example to adjust their height to take account of different heights of goods to be displayed).

With traditional shelving for example it is necessary to reposition the brackets supporting the shelves. With other types of display stands, for example racking for displaying garments, the stands may be adjustable either by means of dismantling and reassembling them or by means of unsightly clamps or clips. In either case the adjustment process is difficult and often requires the use of tools such as spanners, screwdrivers and the like. With the typical island garment displays used at present (having a central pillar or pillars supporting racks upon which the garments are hung) there is often no possibility of adjusting the height of the display stand, and in those circumstances it is necessary to replace one display stand with another, e.g. of a different height if it is desired to alter the display.

It is an object of the invention to provide a form of display stand which overcomes the noted difficulties of display stands known to us and which is readily and accurately adjustable is height.

The difficulty of accurately adjusting the height of display stands assumes even greater importance when a number of such stands are linked together to form a display system in which the various parts of the system must be level. This difficulty is so great that it has led to the use of non-adjustable units in such display systems and the use of "custom" designed and made display systems for particular applications. As a result the expense involved in altering a display system in a shop or store in significant.

It is another object of this invention to provide a display system which overcomes or alleviates this problem and which may be readily modified and adjusted.

In one aspect the invention provides a display stand comprising a base unit supporting at least one upper unit on which items for display may be positioned, the or each upper unit being movable relative to the base unit and fixable in one of a number of predetermined positions relative to the base unit by operation of a latch.

Preferably, a latch is provided for each said upper unit.

The or each latch with advantage comprises a member pivotally mounted in one of said units and movable from a first position-in which the member extends into one of a number of apertures at predetermined spacing on the other of said units-into a second position enabling the upper unit to be moved.

The movable part of the or each latch may be carried with and form part of the or each upper unit.

The movable part of the or each latch may comprise a member pivotally mounted in or on its associated upper unit and movable into and out of engagement with slots formed at predetermined spacing on the base unit.

Advantageously, the pivotally mounted member comprises a pawl or like member normally biased into said first position in which it passes within a slot in the base unit and manually liftable out of that position and into said second position.

Said pawl or like member may be biased into said first position by gravity, but preferably we provide means provided arranged to positively bias the latch member to said first position in which it extends through one of said slots of the base unit. The means for biasing the latch member may comprise a leaf or other spring arranged to act between a surface fixed with reference to the pivotal axis of the latch member and the latch member itself.

Desirably, the or each upper unit is hollow and the movable latch part is mounted therein, said part being movable from said second position in which it is completely within its associated upper unit to said first position in which part of it extends through an aperture in a wall of the upper unit and passes within a slot in the base unit. In such ar! arrangement and if a leaf spring is used to bias the latch to the first position, it preferably bears on inner surface of the wall of the upper member formed with said apertures and the other end acts directly upon the latch member.

With advantage, release means are provided enabling movement of said movable latch part from said first to said second position. If the upper unit is hollow the release means preferably passes within the upper unit along part of the length thereof, and may comprise a rod hingedly fixed to the movable latch part and extending therefrom within and along the hollow upper unit. Desirably in such an arrangement the upper end of the rod is attached to one end of a member slidably retained in a slot in a wall of the upper unit the other end of which is accessable by a user wishing to adjust the height of the upper unit relative to the base unit.

Each upper unit is preferably formed to receive means by which items to be displayed are supported on the display stands.

In a second aspect the invention provide a display system incorporating a plurality of display stands as defined above interconnected by link members extending between and attached to upper units of the different stands.

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of various embodiments of the invention now made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 diagramatically illustrates one form of display unit embodying the invention, Figure 2 diagramatically illustrates to an enlarged scale at A and B respectively a sectional side view of the unit of Figure 1, showing in particular operation of the latch mechanism included therein; and at C a view on the arrow C of Figure 2A, Figure 3 shows views similar to Figures 2A and 2B but illustrating the use of a spring to bias the latch to the said first position, Figure 4 diagramatically illustrates at A and B two other forms of the unit shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and Figure 5 schematically illustrates two different display systems which may be formed using the display stands described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

With reference now to Figures 1 and 2, a display stand is shown to comprise a base unit 10 having four legs 12 running parallel to a floor upon which it stands and extending equi-angularly from the centre of the unit.

Each leg 12 terminates in a foot 14. At the centre of the base unit is an upstanding eightsided hollow member 18 alternate faces 20 of which are covered by U-section channel pieces 22 welded onto of the hollow member 18 so as to completely cover slots formed in the faces 20. The base unit is preferably of steel with the parts of it welded together.

Each channel piece 22 is able to receive an upper unit 24 for the stand comprising a square section hollow member (preferably of chromed steel) siightly smalier in cross section than the square channel formed by the piece 22 and the face 20 on which it is mounted.

Into the open top of each upper unit 24 a variety of known different types of goods supports (racks, shelves and the like may be slotted) as shown at 26. In general the centre lines of these supports extend away from the centre line of the stand-the line running vertically through the centre of the member 18.

As can be seen in more detail in Figure 2 each face 20 has a plurality of slots 30 formed therein. Each slot runs in a plane parallel to the legs 12 of the base unit, the spacing between the slots is fixed and preselected (e.g. 0.5"-12mm), and the height of the first slot above the legs 12 is the same for each face 20 of the base unit.

Each upper unit 24 of the stand houses a movable latch part having a rear wall 32, side walls 34, a bottom wall 36 and a slotted top wall 38 as shown. The movable latch part is loosely fitted on a pin 40 which extends through its side walls 34 and has its ends fixed in walls of the unit 24 so that the movable latch part is free to rotate on the pin 40.

The movable latch part normally adopts, under the influence of gravity, the position shown in Figures 2A and 2C, that is to say a position in which an extension 42 of the bottom wall 36 passes through an aperture 44 in the wall 46 of the unit 24 adjacent the face 20 and enters into one of the slots 30. The thickness of the extension is approximately one quarter the height of the slot 30.

The side walls 34 of the movable latch piece have running between them a fixed pin 48 to which is loosely attached one end of a rod 50 passing through the slot in the top wall 38 of the movable latch part and extending up and along the hollow unit 24 to a position near the top of the unit. The uppermost end of rod 50 is linked to a member 52 passing through a slot 54 in wall 46. Member 52 is flanged at 56 to either side of wall 46 so that it is retained within, but free to move up and down, the slot 54. The outer end of member 52 is in the form of a stud as shown.

In use the extension 42 of the bottom wall 36 of the movable latch part normally lies within a slot 30. In this position the extension 42 bears on the lowermost edge of the slot and in turn supports the lower edge 58 of the wall 46 immediately above the aperture 44. In this position the weight of the upper unit 24 is passed-via the extension 42-to the base unit 10 with the result that the two units are secured together.

If it desired to move upper unit 24 relative to base unit 10 a user takes hold of the upper unit 24 and supports its weight, he then pushes member 52 upwardly in slot 54 lifting rod 50 and pin 48. This movement causes the movable latch piece to rotate about pin 40 to the position shown in Figure 2B, namely to a position in which the movable latch part is completely within the upper unit 24. The upper unit 24 may then be moved along channel 22 to a desired position (or even removed completely from the channel). If it is desired to fix the upper unit 24 at a new position the user simply holds the upper unit 24 slightly above the desired position, releases the member 52, and allows the upper unit 24 to move slowly downwardly. Upon release of the member 52 the movable latch part rotates under the weight of the rod 50 so that the extension 42 passes through aperture 44 and bears on the face 20 of the base unit 10. In moving the upper unit 24 downwardly the user will bring the leading edge of the extension 42 into juxtaposition with a slot 30 and the weight of the rod 50 will cause the leading edge of the extension to pass into the slot so locating the upper unit 24 at the desired height. The user then releases the weight of the upper unit 24 and it is thereafter firmly anchored in position at the desired height by its own weight and the weight of goods supported on it.

It will be appreciated that as each face 20 of the base unit 10 has slots 30 formed therein at the same height relative to the legs of base unit 10 it is possible for each of the four upper units shown in Figure 1 to be accurately positioned at the same height if desired or for them to be accurately position at predetermined different heights.

Figures 3A and 3B show elements of a modified form of the stand and correspond to Figures 2A and 2B, parts of the arrangement identical with that already described carry the same reference numerals and will not further be described.

The stand shown in Figure 3 differs from that so far described by the addition of a leaf spring 200 arranged as shown to pass around the pin 40 upon which the movable part of the latch is pivoted. One end 202 of spring 200 bears on the inner wall of the upper unit 24 and the other end 204 passes through a hole 206 in the back wall 32 of the member and runs to a position bearing on the under surface of the bottom wall 36 of the member.

The spring is under tension and acts to move the latch member to (or maintain that member in) the position shown in Figure 3A.

The action of the spring may readily be overcome by moving the rod 50 upwardly by sliding the button 56 along the slot 54 as described above with reference to the earlier Figures.

It will be appreciated that the form of spring shown is merely one of many types of spring which may be employed, if desired the spring shown may be replaced by a coil spring wrapped around the pin 40 and acting between te rod 50 and the latch.

Figure 4A shows a display stand substantially similar to that shown in Figure 1, save that the number of upper units 24 has been reduced to two on opposed faces 20 of the base unit and the faces 20' which were slotted in the arrangement of Figure 1 have been replaced by blind, unslotted faces not having the covering channels 22.

Figure 4B shows a display unit again similar to that shown in Figure 1, but in this case the hollow member has six sides and three of them are adapted to support upper units 24.

Again, the number of legs 12 has been reduced to three extending from the centre of the base unit 10 at relative angles of 1200. In this way the base unit 10 is more able to support the loading put on it when the display stand is used to display items for sale.

In the arrangements of Figures 4A and 4B the operation of the latching mechanism for the upper units 24 is in substance identical to that already described with reference to Figures 2 or 3, and will not further discussed.

In the specifically described arrangements the movable part of the latching mechanism is carried in the upper units 24 and cooperates with the slotted faces of the base unit 10. It will be appreciated that the positions of these parts may be reversed i.e. the movable latch parts being in the base unit 10 and cooperating with a slotted wall of the upper units 24.

Furthermore it will be appreciated that if such an alternative arrangement is provided a single release rod may be arranged to move, when desired, the movable latch parts associated with each upper part.

It will also be appreciated that the number of upper units provided for each base unit may be more or less than the two, three or four shown in Figures 1 and 3. It will be readily seen that the the display stands described above have several advantages over those available at present. The display stands now described are simply and readily adjustable in height to take account of different heights of goods to be displayed without need to dismantle and reassemble them, without having unsightly clamps or clips, and without a person needing to use tools such as spanners, screwdrivers and the like. Again it will be appreciated that if a display stand as described with reference to Figure 1 is fitted four quarter circle goods supports the stand forms an island garment display similar to that used at present but the height of which may be adjusted.Furthermore, by using less than all four of the upper units 24 in the arrangement of Figure 1 (or by having the upper units at different heights and/or supporting different goods supports) the display stand is significantly more adaptable than has been the case with display stands available until now.

Modifications made to the arrangements disclosed above including, for example, the formation of the parts of the base units from aluminium extrusions rather than welded metal plate.

The ease of accurately adjusting the height of the upper units in the described stands means that they can readily be linked together to form different and readily alterable display systems, as will now be described with reference to Figure 5.

Figure 5A schematically illustrates one layout of linked display stands shown in Figures 1 and 3, and in particular shows at 60 the form of display stand shown in Figure 1, at 62 the form of stand shown in Figure 4A and at 64 the form of stand shown in Figure 4B.

The central stand 62 is connected to the two stands 64 by means of two square section bars 66 adapted to fit into the uppermost ends of the two upper units 68 of the central stand 62 and into the uppermost ends of the two upper units 70 of the stands 64 posi tioned nearest the central stand 62. Similar bars 72 are arranged to couple each of the other two upper units 74 of the stands 64 to upper units 76 of the stands 60 positioned nearest the stands 64. The remaining three upper units 78 of each of the stands 60 have goods supports 80 fitted into their upper ends.

Each of the bars 66 supports on members 84 boarding 86 carrying any advertising message desired by the stand system user.

The upper units 70 are further coupled to the upper units 62 by bars 82 (similar to the bars 66) which are clipped, clamped or otherwise suitably fixed to the two pairs of upper units and run beneath the boarding 86 as shown. One particularly suitable method of fitting the bars 82 in position is to have their ends provided with key means operatively engaging in complementary slots formed in the upper units.

In the case shown the system is to display garments which are supported on hangers 88 hooked onto the bars- 72 and 82 as indicated.

It will be seen that if these hangers are of type having a closed loop surrounding the bars on which they are hung (being located on those bars prior to the bars being coupled to the upper units of the stands constituting the system) then they hangers cannot be readily be removed from the display system. This feature of the proposal now made aids the security of displays of high cost garments which need only be fixed to the hanger on which they are displayed. In applications where higher than normal security is required the bars fitted to the upper parts of the different stands may be locked rather than simply slotted into position.

It will be seen that the arrangement described with reference to Figure 5A may be readily altered in layout by re-positioning the stands relative to one another and repositioning the bars interconnecting them.

It will further be see that the system may be varied by using other means of interconnecting the different stands-for example the bars may be replaced with racking or shelving or any other suitable goods supports. It is envisaged that the linking between adjacent upper units of the different stands may be, for example, a number of cross bars each comprising a pair of spaced bar members at different heights (or a number of sloping shelves) upon which shoes may be displayed. It will clearly be seen that the means linking the various stands may in fact be any form of goods support which it is desired to use compatible with the stands being used.

Figure 5B schematically illustrates a second form of display system making use of four display stands 90 of the type shown in Figure 1 arranged at the corners of a rectangle. The upper ends of the upper units 92 of each stand 90 nearest the centre of the rectangle have resting on them a platform 94. Platform 94 has a skirt 96 overlying the upper ends of the upper units 92 which act to securely retain the platform on the stands. Platform 94 may be used to support goods or advertising material.

The pairs of upper units 98 of each stand 90 next adjacent the upper units 92 are coupled by angled bars 100 to corresponding upper units 92 of the stands at the other corners of the system which as shown extend along the faces of the display system.

The outermost upper units 102 of each stand 90 support any suitable goods supports, such as hanger rails as shown.

It will be seen that the upper units 92 are more fully extended from the base units of the stands 90 than the upper units 98 and that the units 98 are in turn more fully extended than the units 102.

As a result of the latching mechanism included in the display stands the upper units 92 can be accurately brought to the same height so that the platform is level. The upper units 98 can also be positioned at the same relative height so that the bars 100 run level (if desired) or at a predetermined angle as they run across the face of the system. Furthermore the ability to have the upper units of the display stands at different heights means that it is possible to ensure that all the goods supported by them can be readily seen by a prospective purchaser.

It will be seen that the above described stands and systems may be further modified without departing from the scope of this invention.

Claims (1)

1. A display stand comprising a base unit supporting at least one upper unit on which items for display may be positioned, the or each upper unit being movable relative to the base unit and fixable in one of a number of predetermined positions relative to the base unit by operation of a latch.

2. A display stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein a latch is provided for each said upper unit.

3. A display stand as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the or each latch comprises a member pivotally mounted in one of said units and movable from a first position-in which the member extends into one of a number of apertures at predetermined spacing on the other of said units-into a second position enabling the upper unit to be moved.

4. A display stand as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable part of the or each latch is carried with and forms part of the or each upper unit.

5. A display stand as claimed in claim 4, wherein movable part of the or each latch comprises a member pivotally mounted in or on its associated upper unit and movable into and out of engagement with slots formed at predetermined spacing on the base unit.

6. A display stand as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivotally mounted member comprises a pawl or like member normally biased into said first position in which it passes within a slot in the base unit and manually liftable out of that position and into said second position.

7. A display stand as claimed in claim 6, wherein said pawl or like member is biased into said first position by gravity.

8. A display stand as claimed in claim 6, wherein means are provided arranged to positively bias the latch member to said first position in which it extends through one of said slots of the base unit.

9. A display stand as claimed in claim 8, wherein the means for biasing the latch member comprises a leaf or other spring arranged to act between a surface fixed with reference to the pivotal axis of the latch member and the latch member itself.

10. A display stand as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each upper unit is hollow and the movable latch part is mounted therein, said part being movable from said second position in which it is completely within its associated upper unit to said first position in which part of it extends through an aperture in a wall of the upper unit and passes within a slot in the base unit.

11. A display stand as claimed in claim 9 and claim 10, wherein one end of said spring bears on inner surface of the wall of the upper member formed with said apertures and the other end acts directly upon the latch member.

12. A display stand as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein release means are provided enabling movement of said movable latch part from said first to said second position.

13. A display stand as claimed in claim 10 and claim 12, wherein said release means passes within the hollow upper unit along part of the length thereof.

14. A display stand as claimed in claim 13, wherein the release means comprises a rod hingedly fixed to the movable latch part and extending therefrom within and along the hollow upper unit.

15. A display stand as claimed in claim 14, wherein the upper end of the rod is attached to one end of a member slidably retained in a slot in a wall of the upper unit the other end of which is accessable by a user wishing to adjust the height of the upper unit relative to the base unit.

16. A display stand as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each upper unit is formed to receive means by which items to be displayed are supported on the display stands.

17. A display stand as claimed in claim 1, and substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or to Figures 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

18. A display stand as claimed in claim 17, and substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 4A of Figure 4B of the accompanying drawings.

20. A display system incorporating a plurality of display stands as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, interconnected by link members extending between and attached to upper units of the different stands.