GB2239595A - Storage and display stand - Google Patents

Abstract

A storage system capable of accommodating and displaying a plurality of articles, comprises a column (4) mounted on a base member (2). The column (4) is provided with a number of spines or ridges (6) extending lengthways of the column in order to grip the collar (10) of a display unit 8. In an alternative embodiment the display unit (8) has a collar (10) which has spines or ridges (12) that help it grip the column 4. A series of display units (8) may be slid onto the column in order to display then. The stand is designed primarily to be used for compact discs. <IMAGE>

Description

A STORAGE SYSTEM This invention relates to a storage system, and in particular to a storage rack which acts as a display unit for the items being stored.

Systems of this type are known and.often consist of a box like structure or rack that can only accommodate goods of a specific design or nature and many are aesthetically unattractive and have only a single use or function.

It is an object of this invention to provide a storage system or rack which is capable of accommodating and displaying a plurality of articles in a convenient and elegant form, and wherein the articles and the various components of the rack may be adjusted and sculpted according to the will of the user.

According to the invention there is provided a storage and display system comprising a column mounted on a base member, the column being adapted to receive one or more display units, each of which is formed so as to receive one or more articles to be displayed, each display unit being provided with a collar adapted to fit around the column.

The collar may be annular in one form or it may be multi-sided.

Preferably the collar is formed to relate to the cross sectional form of the column and the column may be provided around its periphery with splines or ridges, the interior surface of the collar being formed to fit over those splines or ridges.

In another form the collar is circular in cross sectional and the interior of the surface of the collar may also be circular, or it may be provided with splines to enhance its gripping capability on the column.

Alternatively the interior surface of the column may be smooth circular and the periphery of the column may be splined or ridged to give good gripping capabilities between collar and column.

Each display unit may be moulded in one with a collar or may be made separately. In the latter case the collar may be formed with a spigot arranged to fit within a hole in the display unit, or the spigot may be formed in the unit and fit within a hole in the collar. The spigot and its associated hole may be screw threaded.

The column may be formed as one continuous element or may alternatively be formed from a number of separate lengths secured together axially to form whatever length may be desired. Other aspects of the invention will become obvious from the following description which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of the storage system according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the storage system showing a number of display units mounted thereon; Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the storage units; Figure 4 is an elevation of parts of the column of the rack in an alternative form.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative arrangement of a storage unit.

As seen in the drawings a display and storage system comprises a base 2 suitable for free standing on a floor or table, and a column 4 extends upwardly from the base. The column is formed with splines, flutes or reeds 6 extending lengthwise thereof.

A storage unit 8 is illustrated in detail in Figure 3 and comprises a portion 6 in the form of a three sided open rectangle formed from channel section material, e.g.

an extruded plastic or aluminium. Midway along one of the sides of the open rectangular portion is fixed a collar 10 which is formed with an internal splined, fluted or reeded hole 12, the splines being of identical size and pitch as those on the column 6.

In the storage unit 8 as illustrated in Figure 3 the size of the channel section is chosen such as to readily accommodate the case 9 of a compact disc, but may of course be of any convenient size according to the object to be stored and displayed.

As illustrated in Figure 2 a number of such storage units may be mounted on the vertical column 6 by sliding the splined collar 12 over the splines of the column 6 so that the collar 10 of one storage unit rests on the collar 10 of the collar of the unit below it. Thus a whole vertical array of such storage units may be accommodated on the one column. The individual units may be so arranged as to provide a spiraling effect up and around the column, for example as seen in Figure 2 and the system can be sculpted into a larger number of configurations to give a pleasing aesthetic effect.

- As illustrated in Figure 4 the vertical column may be supplied in a number of separate lengths which may be screwed together according to the height of the column desired.

The collar may be moulded in one with the channel section 6 or the appropriate side of the rectangle may be provided with a spigot which fits into a hole in the collar. In the latter case the channel section may be pivotable about the axis of the spigot as illustrated in chain lines in Figue 1 in order to display the articles being stored for example at a retail point of sale display.

Although the column 6 and hole 12 are illustrated as having matching splines, it is possible, without departing from the essence of the invention, to have a plain column and a plain round hole, the dimensions of each of which are so chosen as to provide a gripping relationship.

In yet another alternative the column may b multi-sided and the hole formed in a similar section.

Again although the column is shown as depending vertically from the base 2, the base may in fact be so formed as to be readily fixed to a vertical surface e.g. a wall, in which case the column 6 would project substantially horizontally outwardly from the wall.

Again although the unit 8 is shown as having channel section sides into which a compact disc case may be slid and retained, it could if so desired be a flat shelf like member secured to the collar 10 and different items may be placed on the shelves.

In an alternative arrangement seen in Figure 5, the collar 10 has secured thereto a clip 14 and each case 9 may be retained within that clip. If so desired, a bar 16 having ten pieces 18 may be provided for the purpose of locating the case 9 substantially centrally with respect to the clip.

The splines on the column and/or in the hole of the collar may be sufficiently resilient to enable each display unit to be partially rotated around the column to its desired orientation.

If so desired there may be provided an electric motor within the base so connected as to cause the column 6 to rotate about its axis to produce a moving display. In such a case if the units 8 are shelves of different colours an ever changing colour design would be produced which is expected to be aesthetically pleasing.

Claims (16)

1. A storage and display system comprising a column, mounted on a base member, the column being adapted to receive one or more display units each of which is formed so as to receive one or more articles to be displayed, each display unit being provided with a collar adapted to fit around the column.

2. A storage and display system according to Claim 1 wherein the collar is annular.

3. A storage and display system according to Claim 1 wherein the collar is formed with a hole therein substantially identical in shape and size to the cross section of the column.

4. A storage and display system according to Claim 1 wherein the collar is provided around its periphery with splines or ridges, and the interior surface of the collar is formed to fit over those splines and ridges.

5. A storage and display system according to Claim 1 wherein the column is circular in cross section and the interior surface of the collar is formed with splines to enhance its gripping capabilities on the column.

6. A storage and display system according to Claim 1 wherein the interior surface of the collar is smooth and circular and the periphery of the column is splined or ridged to give good gripping capabilities between the collar and the column.

7. A storage and display system according to Claim 1 wherein each display unit is moulded in one with the collar.

8. A storage and display system according to Claim 1 wherein the collar of each display unit is formed with a spigot arranged to fit within a hole in the display unit such that each display unit may be rotated about the axis of the spigot.

9. A storage and display system according to Claim 1 wherein each display unit is formed with a spigot adapted to fit within a hole in its associated collar.

10. A storage and display system according to Claim 1 wherein the column is formed as one continuous element.

11. A storage and display system according to Claim 1 wherein the column is formed from a number of separate lengths secured together axially.

12. A storage and display system according to Claim 1 wherein each of the display units comprises a three sided frame, the sides being of channel section and adapted to receive an article to be stored and displayed.

13. A storage and display system according to Claim 1 wherein each of the display units comprises a spring clip capable of grippingly retaining an article to be stored and displayed.

14. A storage and display system according to Claim 13 wherein each spring clip is provided with means to locate the article substantially centrally with that clip.

15. A storage and display system according to Claim 1 wherein each display unit comprises a shelf on which the article to be stored and displayed may be located.

16. A storage and display unit substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.