GB2286565A - Trolley for point-of-sale display of newspapers, books, or magazines - Google Patents

Abstract

A trolley 2 comprises a wheeled base 8, at least two uprights 16, 18 which are spaced apart in the fore-and-aft direction of the trolley, and are fixed to the base at an intermediate position across the width of the base, and a plurality of shelves 54 which are releasably mounted on the uprights 16, 18. In a preferred embodiment, the trolley 2 further comprises generally upright front and rear frames 4, 6 fixed to the base 8 at their lower ends and rigidly interconnected at their upper ends. Additional shelves 44 may be fixed to the front and/or rear frames 4, 6. All shelves are adlustable in their vertical positions. A sign may be filled between brackets 24 and 26. <IMAGE>

Description

TROLLEY This invention relates to trolleys and particularly, although not exclusively, to trolleys suitable for displaying merchandise such as newspapers, books and magazines for retail sale.

According to the present invention there is provided a trolley comprising a wheeled base, at least two uprights which are spaced apart in the fore-and-aft direction of the trolley and are fixed to the base at an intermediate position across the width of the base, and a plurality of shelves which are releasably mounted on the uprights.

The shelves may be supported on shelf brackets which are releasably fitted to the uprights, for example by engagement with openings provided in the uprights.

A plurality of openings may be provided along the length of each upright, so that the shelf brackets can be engaged at any one of a number of positions along the uprights. Consequently, a plurality of shelves can be located one above the other and the height and spacing of the shelves relative to one another can be varied.

In a preferred embodiment the trolley further comprises generally upright front and rear frames fixed to the base, the front and rear frames being rigidly interconnected at their upper ends. Preferably, the interconnection between the front and rear frames incorporates a mounting arrangement for a sign. The front and/or rear frames may be adapted to receive additional shelving. For instance, openings may be provided in the front and rear frames which receive cantilevered shelf brackets or shelves and brackets moulded in one piece. Alternatively, the additional shelving may be bolted to the front and/or rear frames.

Each shelf bracket may have a pair of spaced apart connectors which are engageable in respective openings in the uprights. Means may be provided on one of the connectors for varying its point of engagement with its opening. For instance that one connector may comprise a curved element having a toothed surface engageable with the opening at different positions along its length.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective, exploded view of a trolley; and Figure 2 is a cut away side view of the trolley with the main shelves and panels removed.

The trolley 2 has a tubular steel chassis comprising a substantially rectangular front frame 4 and a substantially rectangular rear frame 6 welded to a substantially rectangular base frame 8. The front and rear frames 4, 6 project upwardly, substantially at right angles to the plane of the base frame 8 and are interconnected by a rectangular shelf hanger frame 10 which is welded to the base frame 8 and to the upper ends of the front and rear frames 4, 6. Mounted on the base frame 8 are rear wheels 12 and front wheels 14, some or all of which may comprise castors.

The front portion 7 of the base frame 8 is extended forwardly beyond the front frame 4 and acts as a bumper. A handle 9 projects rearwardly from the rear frame 6.

The shelf hanger frame 10 is of tubular box section construction and comprises two uprights 16 interconnected at their upper and lower ends by cross members 20, 22. Bolted to the upper cross member 20 are a pair of brackets 24, 26 which support a sign (not shown).

The uprights 16, 18 are provided with a plurality of rectangular openings 28 which pass from one side of the upright to the other. The longitudinal axis of each opening 28 on one upright 16 is parallel to and at the same height as a corresponding opening on the other upright 18.

A central panel 30 which is bolted to threaded tangs 32 fixed to the inside of the shelf hanger frame 10 and a front panel 34 and a rear panel 36 are bolted to front and rear sides of the shelf hanger frame 10, respectively. Inwardly directed tangs 38 are welded to the base frame 8 and to the lower cross member 22 of the shelf hanger frame 10. Base panels 40, 42 rest on the tangs 38 and are bolted in position. The panels in the illustrated embodiment are made from 5 mm thick foam PVC sheets, but any suitable material such as plywood, metal, cardboard or another plastics material may be used, as appropriate. Advertising or decorative material may be pre-printed or applied to the panels prior to assembly.

Three moulded plastics shelves 44 are bolted directly to steel cross pieces 45 welded to the front frame 4.

Shelf brackets 50 can be fitted to the uprights 16, 18 by means of connectors in the form of upper and lower lugs 46, 48 which are provided on the brackets 50 and cooperate with the openings 28. The upper lug 46 comprises a single hook whereas the lower lug 48 comprises a curved arm provided with a row of downwardly directed teeth 52. The upper and lower lugs 46, 48 are separated by twice the distance between adjacent openings 28 on the uprights 16, 18. Thus, the upper and lower lugs 46, 48 can be inserted into respective openings 28 to fit the bracket 50 releasably to the upright 16, 18. Since the upper lug 46 locates the top of the bracket 50 relative to the upright 16, 18, and since the lower lug 48 can be engaged at any one of a number of positions, depending on which pair of teeth 52 engages the edge of an opening 28, the inclination of the bracket 50 can be varied.In the illustrated embodiment, the upper surface of each bracket 50 can be tilted up by as much as 10 to the horizontal and tilted down by as much as 45" to the horizontal. Consequently, the angle by which a shelf 54 slopes can be varied within the same range.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the shelves 54 are of simple construction and comprise a steel pan 56 having a channel 58 welded to one edge. An acrylic riser 60 is fixed into the channel 58. Studs 62 are provided on each shelf 54 which engage in corresponding recesses 69 formed in the upper surface of each bracket 50. Thus, once the brackets 50 have been fixed in position on the uprights 16, 18, the shelf can be firmly located on the brackets 50 by means of engagement of the studs 62 in the recesses 64.

As can be readily appreciated, since the openings 28 are formed through both sides of the upright 16, 18, the shelves 54 can be fixed on both sides of the trolley 2. Furthermore, the number of shelves 54 can be varied to suit any particular purpose to which the trolley is put. For example, where the trolley is used to carry books or magazines, a new publication of a different format or size can easily be accommodated by moving the shelves 54 up or down the uprights 16, 18.

If necessary, shelves of different dimensions can be fitted to the same brackets 50.

Although, in the illustrated embodiment, the brackets are provided with projecting lugs 46, 48 which are received in openings 28 in the uprights 16, 18, other suitable forms of interconnection of the brackets 50 to the upright 16, 18 are contemplated which would allow vertical adjustment of the brackets 50, relative to the upright 16, 18.

The above described trolley 2 is of particular benefit in use in hospital wards or on aircraft, since the central support of the main shelves 54 and the tilting of the shelves enables the width of the trolley 2 to be kept to a minimum whilst allowing large items such as magazines or news papers to be displayed.

Claims (9)

1. A trolley comprising a wheeled base, at least two uprights which are spaced apart in the fore-and-aft direction of the trolley and are fixed to the base at an intermediate position across the width of the base, and a plurality of shelves which are releasably mounted on the uprights.

2. A trolley as claimed in claim 1, in which the shelves are supported on shelf brackets releasably fitted to the uprights.

3. A trolley as claimed in claim 2, in which the shelves are provided with projections which engage into corresponding openings provided in the uprights.

4. A trolley as claimed in claim 3, in which a plurality of openings are provided along the length of each upright.

5. A trolley as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising generally upright front and rear frames fixed to the base, the front and rear frames being rigidly interconnected at their upper ends.

6. A trolley as claimed in claim 5, in which the interconnection between the front and rear frames incorporates a mounting arrangement for a sign.

7. A trolley as claimed in claim 5 or 6, in which the front and/or rear frames are adapted to receive additional shelving.

8. A trolley as claimed in claim 7, in which openings are provided in the front and/or rear frames which receive shelf brackets.

9. A trolley substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.