GB2250180A - Support system - Google Patents

Abstract

A support system (1) comprises a framework having spaced apart recesses therein and at least one support member having an elongate body portion (2) and a mounting portion (4) approximately "S"-shaped in side view, opposite ends of the "S" being substantially aligned so as to permit insertion of one end of the "S" into a framework recess followed by insertion of the other end of the "S" into a framework recess such that the support member (1) is rigidly but removably fixed to the framework with the mounting portion (4) extending outwardly therefrom. <IMAGE>

Description

SUPPORT SYSTEM This invention relates to a support system of general applicability. Two particular applications are in shops and other public places where display of products or information requires a rigid support which is both easily assembled and disassembled, and as a shelving system for domestic or commercial use. The invention is not, of course, limited to these applications only.

Existing support systems in use in most domestic and commercial environments rely mainly either upon the peg-in-board system or upon the conventional shelving bracket system. Shelving systems are known in which additional lugs are provided on the vertical portion of the shelving brackets, permitting installation at variable height in a framework or support which has a plurality of spaced recesses therein.

A problem with existing support systems is that features used to achieve strength and rigidity often completely remove any capability of speed of disassembly from the system. Shelving systems which employ an adjustable height principle are structured in such a way that the rigidity of the system is often in doubt.

Conventional shelving systems employ, as a rule, a fixing system such as conventional screws. The peg and board display system often lacks the necessary rigidity and strength, in contrast, although disassembly can be achieved relatively rapidly.

There is a need for a support system which at one and the same time permits rapid achievement of a strong and rigid support whilst allowing for rapid disassembly and reformation, as required.

This invention provides a support system comprising a framework having spaced apart recesses therein and at least one support member having a body portion and a mounting portion, the mounting portion including a pair of arms each arm of which pair extends laterally from the body portion in a direction substantially opposed to the other of the pair, and the arms being so shaped as to permit insertion of the distal end of one of them into a framework recess followed by insertion of the distal end of the other into a framework recess such that the support member is thereby rigidly but removeably fixed to the framework with the mounting portion extending outwardly therefrom.

In another aspect, the invention also provides a support system comprising a framework having spaced apart recesses therein and at least one support member having an elongate body portion and a mounting portion approximately "S"-shaped in side view, opposite ends of the "S" being substantially aligned so as to permit insertion of one end of the "S" into a framework recess followed by insertion of the other end of the "S" into a framework recess such that the support member is rigidly by removeably fixed to the framework with the mounting portion extending outwardly therefrom.

The nature of the framework used in the present system does not greatly matter. For display systems, for example display systems for use in commercial applications such as shops, supermarkets etc., the framework is often in the form of an open mesh which may be constituted of coated or uncoated wire. In such applications, the support member body portion may be formed as a clip for holding products for display, although the body portion may, of course, equally be formed in any configuration which is desired, such as a shelf bracket.

Generally, it is preferred that the mounting portion be shaped in such a way as to permit ready insertion of one part thereof into a framework recess followed by insertion of another part thereof into the same or a different recess in the framework. This can be achieved by, for example, having a mounting portion which comprises a pair of arms shaped with the distal end of each arm of the pair being substantially aligned with the distal end of the other arm of the pair and the intermediate section of at least one of the arms of the pair bending away from such alignment, optionally with both arms of the pair having such bent intermediate sections. In general, the most satisfactory configuration for the mounting portion is, in side view, approximately "S"-shaped, the "S" usually being fairly flattened in nature.

The support member used in the present invention may be formed of coated or uncoated wire as desired, and/or two or more pairs of arms may be employed.

In a particularly valuable embodiment of the present invention, the mounting portion has a approximately "S"-shaped side view, with opposite ends of the "S" being substantially aligned, as specified above, and with at least part of the mounting portion being dimensioned to fit snugly between the edges of an integral number of holes in an open mesh framework.

Where the framework is an open mesh system, the use of the "S"-shape principle for the mounting portion of the support member readily permits insertion of one part of the mounting portion into one or more holes in the mesh followed by insertion of the opposite end of the "S" of the mounting portion into another portion of the framework. The "S"-shape permits such insertion to be achieved, and hence a rigid and stable assembly, without sections of the mounting portion fouling the grid of the mesh.

As used herein, the term "approximately "S"-shaped" is intended to mean any configuration in which a first part of the mounting portion extends to one side of the body portion and has an intermediate section which bends in a direction substantially opposite to corresponding bending of an intermediate section of another, second, part of the mounting portion which extends in a substantially opposed direction from the body portion compared to said first part.

The support member of the present support system may be constructed of, for example, coated or uncoated wire, or it may be formed as an integral casting or moulding, or the body portion and mounting portion may be separately formed and joined together by means known in the art before use.

By "substantially aligned" as used herein is meant that the degree of alignment is such that after mounting of the mounting portion on the framework the "substantially aligned" parts both abut the rear of the framework or abut one or more framework recess interiors, as the case may be, preventing substantial wobble or movement of the thus-mounted support member.

This can be an important feature in establishing structural stability.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the support system of the present invention can be applied in virtually any application where ease of construction and dismantling are important. The invention includes shelving and display systems incorporating the features of the present invention.

The invention will now be further described by reference to a particular embodiment which is illustrated in the Figures of the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows a view of a product display mounting clip incorporating the features of a support member in accordance with the support system of the present invention; Figure 2 shows an end on view of the clip of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a support system in accordance with the present invention which includes the clip of Figure 1 fitted into an open mesh framework structure.

The display clip or support member (1) shown in Figure 1 is fabricated from plastics material-coated wire. Clip (1) has a body portion (2) which turns upwards at end (3) (best seen in Figure 3). Remote from end (3), clip (1) has a mounting portion (4) comprising two pairs of arms (5) arranged in parallel with the arms extending laterally from body portion (2).

The downwardly extending arms of pairs (5) are constituted by a shaped loop of wire (6) which is fastened across body portion (2).

When viewed sideways on, as in Figure 3, it can be seen that mounting portion (4) of clip (1) is approximately "S" -shaped in side view. This shaping is convenient for mounting clip (1) into a framework (7) which is constituted by an open mesh or grid of plastics material-coated wires (8) running vertically and plastics material-coated wires (9) running across wires (8) at right angles thereto. The approximately "S"shaped configuration of mounting portion (4) allows first the topmost arm of each pair (5) to be inserted upwardly into the mesh with the distal end (10) of each such arm positioned behind open mesh framework (7).

After end (10) has been positioned behind wire (9) in open mesh framework (7), the bottom most arm of each pair (5) can then be inserted such that distal end (11) of each such arm fits snuggly behind another horizontal wire (9) in open mesh framework (7). It will be seen that ends (10) and (11) are substantially aligned to permit first the insertion of end (10) as described, swinging down of clip (1) and then the insertion of end (11) Removal of clip (1) from framework (7) is readily achieved by applying a sharp upward blow to body portion (2) close to framework (7). The approximately "S"shaped structure of mounting portion (4) allows this snug and secure but removable fixing of clip (1) into framework (7) to be achieved without substantial distortion of the clip as it is inserted and without fouling of the open mesh wires (8) and (9) by the clip.

As can be seen from Figure 2, in preferred embodiments, clip (1) is structured with the lowermost arms of pairs (5) spaced a different distance apart as compared to the uppermost arms of pairs (5) (further apart as shown in Figure 2). The gap between the lowermost arms of pairs (5) can, for example, be dimensioned to fit snuggly between two spaced vertical wires (8) of framework (7), thus further increasing the rigidity and structural strength of the combination of clip (1) mounted in framework (7).

It will, of course, be apparent to the skilled reader that the above preferred embodiment may be modified and adapted in various ways without departing from the principles of the invention. All such modifications are, of course, included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (16)

CLAIMS:

1. A support system comprising a framework having spaced apart recesses therein and at least one support member having a body portion and a mounting portion, the mounting portion including a pair of arms each arm of which pair extends laterally from the body portion in a direction substantially opposed to the other of the pair, and the arms being so shaped as to permit insertion of the distal end of one of them into a framework recess followed by insertion of the distal end of the other into a framework recess such that the support member is thereby rigidly but removeably fixed to the framework with the mounting portion extending outwardly therefrom.

2. A support system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the framework is in the form of an open mesh.

3. A support system as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the framework open mesh is constituted of coated or uncoated wire.

4. A support system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the support member body portion is formed as a shelf bracket or as a clip for holding products for display.

5. A support system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the pair of arms are shaped with the distal end of each arm of the pair being substantially aligned with the distal end of the other arm of the pair and the intermediate section of at least one of the arms of the pair bending away from such alignment.

6. A support system as claimed in Claim 5, wherein both arms of the pair have intermediate sections thereof which bend away from said alignment.

7. A support system as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the intermediate section of one arm of the pair bends away to a junction with the body portion which is displaced along the body portion relative to the junction of the other arm of the pair with the body portion.

8. A support system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the pair of arms are shaped such that the resulting mounting portion has a side view which is approximately "S"-shaped.

9. A support system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the support member is formed of coated or uncoated wire.

10. A support system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein there are two pairs of arms as aforesaid.

11. A support system comprising a framework having spaced apart recesses therein and at least one support member having an elongate body portion and a mounting portion approximately "S"-shaped in side view, opposite ends of the "S" being substantially aligned so as to permit insertion of one end of the "S" into a framework recess followed by insertion of the other end of the "S" into a framework recess such that the support member is rigidly but removeably fixed to the framework with the mounting portion extending outwardly therefrom.

12. A support system as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the framework is an open mesh.

13. A support system as claimed in Claim 12, wherein at least a part of the mounting portion is dimensioned to fit snugly between the edges of an integral number of holes in the open mesh framework.

14. A support system substantially as hereinbefore described otherwise than in relation to the prior art.

15. A support system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the Figures of the accompanying drawings.

16. A display unit or shelving system incorporating a support system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 15.