GB2322544A

GB2322544A - Merchandise support and display element

Info

Publication number: GB2322544A
Application number: GB9803890A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Farr
Original assignee: BURALL PLASTEC Ltd
Current assignee: BURALL PLASTEC Ltd
Priority date: 1997-02-26
Filing date: 1998-02-25
Publication date: 1998-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 2018-02-25
Also published as: GB9803890D0; GB9704007D0; GB2322544B

Abstract

Items such as hand tools (eg pliers) are supported and displayed using a hanger element 12 having a Y-shaped tab 14 which is formed with and hinged to the element at 42. The tab is folded to surround and grip the item and the end regions 30,32 are inserted into and gripped by slots 18 in the main element.

Description

MERCHANDISE SUPPORT ELEMENT This invention relates to a merchandise support element, comprising a support member and a connection member.

An example of a merchandise support element to which the invention relates is the means whereby merchandise such as pliers, pincers, wire strippers and other such hand tools are displayed in hardware outlets, in particular the large DIY "superstores". In such retail outlets hand tools are often hung from display racks where they can be seen and examined by the customer.

Difficulties can arise however in that the packaging by which the articles are hung from the display rack are often insufficiently strong the bear the weight of the hand tools combined with frequent removal and displacement on the display rack. This often results in the packaging tearing and the article being displayed falling from the rack. Customers are less likely to purchase articles which have torn packaging and are soiled.

A further problem which arises is that small hand tools are often targeted by shoplifters. At present the packaging and means by which the articles are displayed can be removed quickly and the item hidden to aid its unauthorised removal from the store.

Accordingly an object of the present invention is to provide a merchandise support element which attempts to solve the problems associated therewith and/or to provide improvements generally.

The present invention is particularly applicable to hand tools such as pliers, pincers, wire strippers and other such tools which comprise two, generally opposite and complementary elements secured together, usually by means of a rivet, such that the two elements can be moved apart and brought together, as required, to perform the intended function. It is important that such tools can be handled by customers in order to ascertain the "feel" of the tool in the hand and to check the acceptability of the action of said tool without the need to remove the tool from the packaging or for the same to be damaged during such trials.

According to the present invention there is provided a merchandise support element comprising a support member and a connection member wherein said connection member is adapted to be placed around the merchandise and secured to the connection means thereby supporting and securing said merchandise.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the merchandise support element is formed from a relatively stiff resilient planer plastics material and comprises a support member and a connection member formed therewith.

The support member is formed with an aperture or mounting hole to receive a hook or the like to enabling it to be displayed on a rack or display stand in a retail environment. The support member is also formed with at least one and preferably two further appatures or slots to receive the connection member.

The connection member is in the form of a shaped tab which is narrower than the support member and formed with and extends from said support member. The tab is generally, although not exclusively, Y-shaped, is located along an edge of the support member and is centred with respect to the mounting aperture.

The Y-shaped tab comprises a stem portion and two arm portions extending at an angle of between 5 and 90 degrees, and preferably between 20 and 50 degrees from the stem portion. The end regions of the arm portions are shaped and notched. The Y-shaped tab is foldable in relation to the support member in the region of a hinge portion. Said hinge portion is located at a spaced location back from the edge of the support member.

In use, the hand tool is placed against the support member such that the "working end" of the tool is in the region of the support member, and the operating arms or handles of the tool extend beyond the support member. The Y-shaped tab comprising the connection member is folded about the hinge portion towards the support member.

Locating the hinged portion at a spaced location back from the edge of the support member provides that when the connection member is folded about the hinged portion, it is folded upwards towards the support element and is located within the periphery of the support element.

Accordingly, when the merchandise support element is in use supporting and retaining a tool, a substantial portion of the tool is supported to an extent by the support member rather than being suspended below the merchandise support element.

The arm portions of the Y-shaped tab are located over the two elements of the tool in the region of the rivet. The end regions of the arm portions are located in the slots formed in the support member, the notched shape formed at the end of the arm portions acting to prevent the arms from being easily pulled out of the slots. This is aided by the notches and slots combining to act as stop means once the end portions are located through the slots, thus restricting its removal.

The arms and central portions of the Y-shaped tab, together with the central portion thereof, acts to secure the tool to the support member whilst allowing the customer to handle the tool and test the action thereof prior to purchase, without the need to remove from or cause damage to the packaging.

According to the invention there is also provided a method of displaying an article such as a hand tool said method comprising the steps of placing a tool to be supported against a merchandise support element, said merchandise support element having a support member and a connection member, the step of moving or folding said connection member in respect of said support member such that said connection member is placed around the tool to be supported and the step of securing said connection member to said support member.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a merchandise support element.

As shown in Figure 1, a merchandise support element 10 comprises a support member 12 and a connection member 14.

Merchandise support element 10 is intended for supporting such merchandise as hand tools and the like on a rack or similar display unit (not shown) on which the element can be hooked and unhooked readily by customers and sales staff in a retail store.

Support member 12 is in the form of a sheet of flexible plastics material, preferably although not exclusively rectangular. Said sheet is stamped or cut with an aperture 16 to receive a hook or the like when displayed in the retail environment. Support member 12 is also formed with two slits or apertures 18, 18a which are generally linear in form but which are formed with curved C- V- or U- shaped end portions 20, 22.

The connection member 14 is formed as a Y-shaped tab 24 which is formed with and extends from the support member 12. The Y-shaped tab 24 comprises a stem portion 26 and two arm portions 26, 28 which extend at an angle from the stem 26. End regions 30, 32 of the arm portions 26, 28 are shaped and formed with notches 34 having slots 36 to aid insertion into and retention within the slots.

The connection member 14 is adapted to be moved or folded in relation to the support member 12. This movement or folding is facilitated by a hinged region 42 formed at a spaced location back from an edge 44 of the support member 12. Slits 38 and 40 are cut in the support member 12 from the edge 44 into the body portion of said support member. The portion of the body of support member 12 which is located between the slits 38 and 40 form the stem portion 26 of the Y-shaped tab 24.

In use, the hand tool to be retained and displayed by the merchandise display element 10 is placed against the support member 12. The connection member 14 is folded about the hinge region 42 towards the support member 12.

The arm portions 26, 28 of the Y-shaped tab 24 are located over the tool to be displayed, with each of the arm portions 26, 28 being located over one of the two elements of the tool in the region of the rivet or like connection means.

The end regions 30 of the arm portions 26, 28 are located in the slots 18, 18a. The shape of the end regions 30 have an arrow head like configuration which aids location within the slots 18, 18a. The notches 34 and slits 36 formed therein aid to retain the end regions 30 in the slots 18, 18a and prevent easy removal therefrom.

Claims

1. A merchandise support element comprising a support member and a connection member wherein said connection member comprises a substantially Y- shaped tab extending from said support member, said tab being adapted to be placed around the merchandise to be displayed.

2. A merchandise support element according to claim 1 characterised in that said tab comprises a stem portion and two arm portions extending at an angle therefrom.

3. A merchandise support element according to claim 3 characterised in that the arm portions extend at an angle of between 5 to 90 degrees, and preferably between 20 and 50 degrees from the stem portion.

4. A merchandise support element according to claim 2 characterised in that said tab is formed with and extends from said support member.

5. A merchandise support element according to claim 4 characterised in that said tab is located towards an edge of the support member.

6. A merchandise support element according to any of the proceeding claims characterised in that said tab is foldable around a hinged portion with respect to the support member.

7. A merchandise support element according to claim 6 characterised in that said hinged portion is formed in the region where the stem portion joins said support member.

8. A merchandise support element according to claim 7 characterised in that said hinged portion is formed at a spaced location back from the edge of said support member.

9. A merchandise support element substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

10. A package for a hand tool comprising a support member and a connection member wherein said connection member comprises a substantially Y- shaped tab extending from said support member, said tab being adapted to be placed around the merchandise to be displayed.

11. A package for a hand tool according to claim 10 wherein said Y-shaped tab comprises a stem portion and two arm portions extending at an angle therefrom.

12. A package for a hand tool substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

13. A method of displaying an article such as a hand tool said method comprising the steps of placing a tool to be supported against a merchandise support element, said merchandise support element having a support member and a connection member, the step of moving or folding said connection member in respect of said support member such that said connection member is placed around the tool to be supported and the step of securing said connection member to said support member.