GB2328367A

GB2328367A - Display unit with concealed column

Info

Publication number: GB2328367A
Application number: GB9717489A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Kerry Mcloughlin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-08-19
Filing date: 1997-08-19
Publication date: 1999-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2017-08-19
Also published as: GB9717489D0; GB2328367B

Abstract

A display unit comprises a single column 10, free-standing or wall mounted, which adjustably supports bars 22 in aligned apertures 12. One or more panels 16 conceal the column and bars, being mounted to the column via headed screws 17 engaging in keyhole slots 14,15. The ends of the bars protrude beyond the panels to allow attachment of brackets (25,28 - Fig 5) which support rails or shelves (29-31 - Fig 5) in cantilever fashion.

Description

CONCEALED DISPLAY SUPPORT This invention reiates to a concealed support column, and components to hold a decorative panel or panels, with shelving & garment rails. The main use is for shopfitting, or exhibition product display, and stock holding.

Conventional shopfitting systems, usually consist of visible columns which are set out at a specific distance apart, any shelves or garment rails must then span between two of the said columns. When these columns are linked by panels the panels must be of a specific and accurate rectangular size.

The concealed display support is not restricted by these usual conventions.

Setting out distances can be more flexible as each single column forms a separate unit holding a panel or panels, shelves and or garment rails. The said column is concealed behind the panel or panels.

Panels can be regular, or irregular and varied in shape and size. This offers new opportunities, for designers to add their artistic ideas, without losing stock holding ability.

The Concealed Display Support and Decorative Panel described below are hereafter also described as the column, and the Panel, respectably.

Collectably the above items are also described as the Unit.

The concealed display support, comprises of a single column which supports one or more horizontal bars which can be inserted at various heights, the column also supports a panel or panels which hide the said column, and part of the said bars, the panel being a decorative back drop for items such as rails and or shelves, which cantilever from (or near) the ends of the bars.

Merchandise is displayed in front of the decorative panel, this panel is not load bearing, and can be made of almost any material. Panels can be fitted to both sides of the column, making it a double sided unit, which can be freestanding on a supporting base.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1. shows an exploded View of the unit with two panels, a free standing base and a top shelf holder. In this form it will usually be used as a shop floor gondola.

Figure 2. shows a metal bar being inserted into the column , the column cannot be seen as it is concealed by a single panel. In this form the unit will usually be positioned against wall.

Figure 3. shows the unit with two bars inserted.

Figure 4. shows an exploded view of how a clothes rail fits on to the bar.

Figure 5. shows a clothes rail, a shelf, and a shelf support, with an enlarged view of a bracket, plus some brackets of an alternative design.

Figure 6. shows three units with shelves and clothing rail. The top one has a straight panel, the others are of irregular informal design. This is to demonstrate versatility.

CONCEALED DISPLAY SUPPORT Referring to the drawings and previous descriptions, the support as shown in Fig 1.

consists of a column 10 made of metal (or other strong material).

It has keyhole shape holes 14 and 15. These are to fix panels 16, however some other panel fixing method could be used.

The panel or panels can be made of almost any rigid material.

The back of the panels have screws 17, with the heads slightly protruding.

These are usually ordinary screws, however some other component could be used.

All key holes 14, have keyholes 15, directly opposite. This enables a drill bit or bradawl to be inserted through the column, to correctly position pilot holes for screws 17 in the back of the panels 16. This eliminates the need for a separate template.

The panel is offered up to the column, and the screw heads locate into the keyholes, the panel is then pushed down to secure. This design enables easy removal & refitting.

Panels may be fitted to both sides of the column, making it into a double sided unit.

The column also has oblong like holes 12, through its sides. Alternatively these holes could be some other shape.

The above holes are to take a bar or bars 21, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.

At or near its ends the bar can have small protrusions, such as a metal peg or ball 22.

A bar will support items such as a clothes rail 29, shelf 30, or shelf support 31, via special brackets as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

These special brackets 25, fit over and cantilever from the bar, other bracket designs may be used instead, some alternatives 28 are also shown on Fig 5.

Each pair of brackets is permanently fixed to the rail, shelf,or shelf support at a set distance apart. This distance is dictated by the length of the bar 21.

The design of the brackets and the fact that they are fixed in pairs ensures that they do not slip off the bar, or accidentally lift, even if the shelves or rails are not loaded evenly.

To insert the bar, it is offered up behind the panel and pushed through holes 12, in the column, so that it protrudes slightly each side. This is illustrated in Fig 2 and Fig 3.

If the unit is against a wall this has to be done blind, as the column is concealed by the panel, however it is not difficult as sufficient tolerance is allowed in the size of the holes 12 to allow ease of location.

When the shelves and rails are fitted on to the bars the unit is ready for use.

A base 26, which sleeves on to make the unit freestanding, and a top shelf support 20.

are other available components, as shown in Fig 1. These will often have a timber top.

Claims

CONCEALED DISPLAY SUPPORT

CLAIMS 1 A concealed display support, comprising of a single column which supports one or more horizontal bars, tubes, or metal sections, which are hereafter described as bars, the said column also supports a panel or panels which hide the said column, and part of the said bars, the panel being a decorative back drop for items such as rails and or shelves, which cantilever from ( or near) the ends of the said bars.
2 A concealed display support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the definition of a bar is any any section of metal or other strong material that will support the weight of a shelf or rail, and the definition of a rail being an item to support garments on hangers.
3 A concealed display support as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the bar is removable, and can be inserted at various different heights, and the said bars may be partially or completely obscured by a panel and or other items.
4 A concealed display support as claimed in claims 1, 2, and 3 wherein every single column is a self contained unit, and does not have to connect to any other column in order to hold shelves and rails.
5 A concealed display support as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 wherein the panel or panels can be either straight, or of an irregular or unusual shape.
6 A concealed display support as claimed in claims 1, 2, and 3 wherein the brackets of the shelves cannot accidentally lift or slip off the bar due to their design.
7 A concealed display support as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wherein it can be wall fixed, or used as a freestanding unit when fitted with a supporting a base.
8 A concealed display support as substantially described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 6 of the accompanying drawings

8 A concealed display support as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 wherein panels can be fitted to both sides of the column if required, making it into a double sided unit.

9 A concealed display support as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wherein the means of support for bars, tubes, or simular metal sections, hereafter described as bars, comes from behind a panel or panels, with the purpose being to support from the said bar via cantilever brackets one or more shelves or rails, the said means of support being completely or partially hidden by the said panel or panels, as in the principal illustrated in figures 4 and 6.

10 A concealed display support as substantially described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 6 of the accompanying drawings Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1 A concealed display support, comprising of a single column which supports one or more horizontal bars or tubes, which can be inserted through its sides at various heights, the said column also supports a panel or panels which completely covers all slots and holes in the face of the said column, overhanging its sides so that all of the said column is completely hidden when viewed from the front, the said panel can be either a irregular unusual shape, or of a more formal design, and is a decorative back drop for shelves and or garment rails which are supported via special brackets that cantilever from the said bars or tubes.

2 A concealed display support as claimed in claim 1 wherein panels can be easily removed for redecoration and then refitted, and that panels can be fitted to both sides of the column if required, making it into a double sided unit.

3 A concealed display support as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein it can be wall fixed, or used as a freestanding unit when fitted with a supporting a base.

4 A concealed display support as claimed in claims 1 ,2, 3, and 4 wherein every single column is a self contained unit, and does not have to connect to any other column in order to hold shelves and rails.

5 A concealed display support as claimed in claims 1, 2, and 3 wherein the brackets of the shelves cannot accidentally lift or slip off the bar due to their design.

6 A concealed display support as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wherein a column that holds horizontal bars or tubes can be completely hidden by a panel or panels when viewed from the front, with the purpose of the said bars or tubes being to support shelves and or rails, as in the principal illustrated by figures 4 and 6.

7 A concealed display support as claimed in claims 1, 5, and 6 wherein the definition of a bar or tube is any section of metal that will support the weight of a shelf or rail, and the definition of a rail being an item to support garments on hangers.