GB2330296A - Vertically adjustable display and support system - Google Patents

Abstract

A display and support system comprising: one or more upright members 10, each with one or more slotted channels 125 running along its length; brackets (40, fig. 4) with locating means (25, fig. 4) which mate with the channel and are slidable along its length, having fastening means to lock the bracket at any desired position; and one or more shelves 90, attached to or integral with the bracket. The upright members may alternatively have a circular or polygonal cross section (196, fig. 42) and the brackets (205, fig. 47) may have corresponding shaped locating means. Each upright member has support means to mount it between the floor and ceiling 345,350, or onto a wall (fig. 22). Flexible loop brackets may be used in place of brackets and shelves, comprising a locating means (325, fig. 66) for mating with the upright member, a flexible loop (332, fig. 66) to hold a plant pot and securing means (331, fig. 66).

Description

Rlultir,urpose Disl)lay and Sullnort Svsteni The present invention generally relates to the support and display of various articles, which might include collectibles such as rocks, stones or figurines etc More specifically, the invention relates to the display of pot plants, flowers, cacti, bonsai trees or any other type of flora to which the system is suited. The system is primarily intended for use in the home or garden, but it is equally well suited for use in commercial environments: shop displays, offices, hospitals, waiting rooms etc There are many display platforms and support systems currently available which tend to be fabricated from either metal or plastic The plastic variety. although generally lighter than the metal kind, tends to be of a solid injection moulded type. None of those available at present have structural members which have a hollow core, which are thus lighter but still as rigid as the solid alternative.

Many of the prior systems attord little flexibility once the display/support structure has been fixed in place In addition, it is often difficult, if not impossible, to add to or extend the system as requirements dictate Preferably. the system should provide flexible shelving and support platforms that can be adjusted, attached and removed easily, and which are of a light construction vet rigid and strong enough to provide reliable support for a variety of articles The system utilises a combination of extruded plastic sections and injection moulded parts and fixtures, both made from any suitable plastic material that is appropriate for the particular moulding process However, it should be noted that other moulding techniques could also be employed such as blow or rotational moulding processes. Also, the invention is not limited to the use of plastic materials any other suitable material may be employed, such as wood, metal, composite or particulate materials, or any apt man-made material or laminate.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a display and support system as specified in claim 1.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a display and support system as specified in claim 2L' According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a display and support system as specified in claim 28 Other aspects of the present invention provide a display and support system as specified in any one ofthe claims 32, 33, 35, 41, 44, 47 or 48 It will be apparent to the reader that any or all of the features and component parts of what is described herein may be coml-riiied and mixed to produce a multitude of system permutations or may individually provide an inventive feature An embodiment of the present invention is described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows a four-way upright member of the preferred system, Figure 2 shows an alternative three-way upright member of the system, Figure 3 shows yet another alternative one-way (or single slot) upright member ofthe system, Figure 4 shows a solid bracket for use in the system; Figure 5 shows a hollow-core bracket of the system; Figure 6 shows an alternative locating and locking means of either of the brackets of Figures 4 and 5 intended for insertion into channels of upright members shown in Figures 1 to 3, Figure 7 shows a bracket stop-lock and housing within the bracket of Figure 6; Figure 8 shows the sectional view F-F of Figure 6; Figure 9 shows the underside view of a shelf which engages with any of the brackets shown previously; Figure 10 shows the top surface view of the shelf of Figure 9.

Figure 11 shows the top view of a shelf that can be inserted into any of the upright members shown previously without need for a bracket; Figure 12 shows the underside view of the shelf of Figure II, Figure 13 shows an alternative shelf to that shown in Figures 11 and I 2.

Figure 14 shows an underside view ofthe shelf of Figure 13; Figure 15 shows the sectional view A-A of Figure 13; Figure 16 shows the sectional view B-B of Figure 14; Figure 17 shows a wall-mounted three-way version of the preferred system, Figure 18 shows a top mounting bracket of the system of Figure 17; Figure 19 shows the sectional view C-C of figure 18, Figure 20 shows a bottom mounting bracket of the system of Figure 17; Figure 21 shows the sectional view D-D of Figure 21, Figure 22 shows a mounting bracket of the system of Figure 17 intended for securing direct to a wall or other mounting surface.

Figures 23 and 24 show views ofan alternative mounting bracket of the system of Figure 17, Figure 25 shows the front view of a wall bracket; Figure 26 shows the rear view of the wall bracket of Figure 25, Figure 27 shows a top plan view of the wall bracket of Figure 25.

Figure 28 shows the rear view of an alternative wall bracket, Figure 29 shows the front view of an angled wall bracket, Figure 30 shows the rear view of the angled wall bracket of Figure 29, Figure 31 shows a detail of the integral nut securing means of the angled wall bracket of Figure 29, Figure 32 shows a rear view of a preferred embodiment of the angled wall bracket of Figure 29, Figure 33 shows a front view ofthe angled wall bracket of Figure 32, Figure 34 shows a side view ofthe angled wall bracket of Figure 33; Figure 35 shows the sectional view E-E of Figure 35; Figure 36 shows an underside exploded view of the shelf. wall bracket and angled wall bracket intended for securing to a wall or mounting surface; Figure 37 is a topside exploded view of the shelf, wall bracket and angled wall bracket of Figure 36, Figure 38 shows a rear view of the shelf, wall bracket and angled wall bracket of Figure 36 when combined, Figures 39a to 39g show various sectional embodiments of the single slot upright member of Figure 3, Figure 40 shows a topside view of a corner shelf, Figure 41 shows an underside view of the corner shelf of Figure 40; Figure 41 a shows an exploded detail of the shelf of figure 4 1, Figures 42 and 43 show perspective views of hexagonal upright members, Figures 44 and 45 show perspective views of octagonal upright members.

Figure 46 shows an underside view of a shelf with hexagonal locating means; Figure 47 shows a topside view of the shelf of Figure 46; Figure 48 shows a wall bracket with hexagonal locating means; Figure 49 shows a wall bracket with circular locating means, Figure 50 shows an underside view of a shelf with polygonal locating means, Figure 51 shows a topside \ "ew of the shelf of Figure 50, Figure 52 shows an underside view of a shelf with circular locating means, Figure 53 shows a topside view of the shelf of Figure 52, Figure 54 shows a topside view of a preferred embodiment of the shelf of Figures 46, 50 or 52.

Figure 5 shows an underside view of the shelf Figure 54; Figure 56 shows a wall bracket with tapered polygonal locating means, Figure 57 shows a wall bracket with cylindrical polygonal locating means, Figure 58 shows an upright member bracket with tapered polygonal locating means, Figure 59 shows an upright member bracket with tapered hexagonal locating means, Figure 60 shows a preferred embodiment of the upright member bracket of Figure 58; Figure 61 shows a flexible loop bracket; Figure 62 shows another flexible loop bracket; Figure 63 shows how a flexible loop bracket may be used to secure a pot in place; Figure 64 shows a preferred embodiment of a flexible loop bracket, Figures 65 and 66 show other embodiments of a flexible loop bracket, Figure 67 shows a free-standing four-way support system; Figure 68 shows a floor-to-ceLling four-way support system, Figure 69 and 70 shows views of a top cover of the system of Figure 68, Figure 71 and 72 shows views of a top plate of the system of Figure 67, Figure 73 shows a base of either system of Figure 67 or system of Figure 68, Figure 74 shows the use of a fastening shuttle in the base of the system of Figure 67; Figure 75 shows the four-way upright member before insertion into the spring loaded base of the system of Figure 68; Figure 76 shows the spring loaded top cover of the system of Figure 68; Figure 77 shows joining pegs for either of the systems of Figures 67 or 68; Figure 77a shows an alternative joining peg; Figure 78 shows a fastening shuttle; Figure 79 shows a universal stop-lock; Figure 80 shows a floor-standing system incorporating channelled base units, Figures 81a, 81b and 8lc show sections through 3, 4 and s channel base units respectively, Figures 82a, 82b and 82c show various methods ofjoining adjacent base units, Figure 83 shows hexagonal upright member adapted to receive top pedestal and base unit locating slide, Figure 84 shows a two-tier, three leg pot holder stand, Figure 85 shows a three-tier. four leg pot holder stand, Figures 86 and 87 show details of two embodiments for securing means of central tiers in the pot holder of Figure 84 or Figure 85.

Figure 88 shows a system for hanging pots from a cylindrical column.

Figure 89 shows the flexible loop brace for the column of Figure 88.

Figure 90 shows a pot holder "or either of the stands of Figure 84 or 85 or any other system as detailed above or below; Figure 91 shows a single pot holding device fixed to an upright surface, Figure 92 shows a detail of the slider securing means of the pot holder of Figure 91, Figure 93 shows the slider of Figure 92, Figure 94 shows a suspended pot holding system; Figure 95 shows the main support ring of the system of Figure 94, Figure 96 shows a vertical arm for co-operation with one holder of Figure 90 or main or inner rings Figure 97 shows another vertical arm for co-operation with two holders of Figure 90 or main or inner rings; Figure 98 shows an inner rinr of the system of figure 94, Figure 99 shows a radial member of the system of Figure 94; Figure 100 shows a sectional view of the radial member of Figure 99 linking the main support ring of Figure 95 with the inner ring of Figure 98, Figure 101 shows two central support rings linked by three vertical arms of Figure 97 supporting a plurality of holders Figures 1 to 3 show three basic elements of the current system: a 4-way upright member 10, a 3-way upright member 20, and 1-way upright member 30. Each has four, three or one slotted channel 1 5 respectively, running the entire length of the member. Into these channels any of the brackets with the appropriate locating means can be guided. The upright members 10, 20 and 30 are preferably plastic extrusions although other materials and methods of manufacture are envisaged Figures 4 to 8 show support brackets for use with upright members 10. 20 or 30 Figure 4 shows a solid bracket 40 with a lipped-tongue locating means 25. Locating means 25 is slotted from either extremity of a member and is moved to the desired position by sliding along the channel 1 5 At the desired position. a screw or other fastening means, is operated so as to protrude through orifice 35 and thus to abut the generally flat bed of the channel I i This action forces the lip 45 to resistively abut the lip s of the member and thus prevent further movement in either direction along the channel Figure 5 shows a preferred embodiment of this particular type of bracket which Is injection moulded with a hollow core to save weight and expense This process requires no finishing and can be used to produce brackets of any colour.

Figure 6 shows a bracket 60 with a truncated locating means 55 which is wede-shaped such that when it is inserted into any of the wall brackets 160 or 1 70, the fit gradually becomes tighter until a secure rigid position is reached It should be understood that this type of bracket can also be used with the upright members mentioned above Instead of a screw/fastening orifice 35 located at the end of the fill-length locating means, a slotted housing is provided for the purpose of receiving a bicLt,'t stop lock 70, refer to Figure 7 This is moulded in the same shape as the locating means of Figures 4 and s but with an additional shoulder 72 for guidance into and securing ^ within the housing 68 The stop lock includes a nut 74. a nut recess 76 and a fastening screw 78 Operation of the screw 78 forces the lock 76 to resistively abut the bed of the channel within an upright member as described above. The lock 76 has a slight wedge shape itself, so that when it engages the bed of the channel 15, it pushes the bracket upwards into a substantially horizontal position.

Figures 9 and 10 show a moulded shelf platform 80 which is fitted to the brackets 40, 50 and 60 by inserting and sliding the undercut 21 into the corresponding undercut 85 on the underside of the shelf 80 until the extremity of the bracket abuts inside face of the lip 88. The shelf may be of any shape, e.g. square, round, elliptical etc.

Figures 11 and 1 2 depict a one-piece moulded shelf and bracket design 90 A locating means 95 is provided as part of the continuous unit. In Figure 12 can be seen radial struts 96 which are included to give the shelf rigidity and to minimise flex Niore than two stnits may be provided to increase structtiral support. The reader will be aware that this shelf may be used in conjunction with the upright members mentioned above, or the wall brackets mentioned below.

Figures 13 and 14 show the preferred embodiment 100 of the one-piece shelf and bracket Preferably, the struts as shown in Figure 12 will also be included in this embodiment to maximise the structural benefits. Figure 13 shows a 'snap-in' cover strip 110 which conceals the trough 1 2 resulting from the hollow cantilever 115 As previous, a locating means 95 is included. This may be tapered or straight, and can be used with either the upright members or wall brackets Figures 15 and 16 show the sectional views A-A and B-B respectively of Figure 13 Figure 17 shows a wall mounted three-way shelf/bracket system 120 The system comprises a three-way upright member 20. secured and mounted to the wall via bottom mounting bracket 130 and top mounting bracket 135 Several shelves 100 have been positioned on the upright member and are secured in place by the use of universal stop-lock 125 The upright 20 is capped with a top plate 140 whch is fitted into the open slots of the member using lugs on the underside of the plate The top mounting bracket 135 can also house a retaining nut and screw, see Figures 23 and 24.

This nut and screw enables the bracket to be locked into the upright member and thus to share the burden of support with the bottom bracket that would otherwise be the sole supporting fixture. At the rear of both top and bottom mounting brackets 135, 130 are again locating means, see Figures 18 to 21. These allow the entire system to be mounted onto a supporting wall, or any appropriate mounting surface, via the use of wall brackets, see Figures 25 to 28 Alternatively, the system 120 can be directly fitted to a wall etc, by using the mounting bracket 145 of Figure 22 Figure 18 shows a top mounting bracket 135 with rear locating means 136 for engaging with an upright member or wall bracket Figure 19 shows the sectional view C-C of the bracket of Figure 18.

Figure 19 shows a bottom mounting bracket 130 with rear locating means 131 for engaging with an upright member oi wall bracket. Figure 2 1 shows the sectional view D-D of the bracket of Figure 20 Figure 22 shows a mounting bracket 145 that can be fixed directly to a wall or any supporting surface via screws or any fastening means through the holes 146 and 147 In the case of bracket 145 being used as a bottom bracket, there will be a supporting surface 148 to support the lower end of the upright nlelllber In the other case, i e when a top bracket is required surface 148 would not be included, and the bracket would reselnble that of Figure 18 Figures 23 and 24 show views of a bracket 150 that can be used as either a top or a bottom bracket with three-way uprlsl!lt members 20, and includes a nut housing 1 52 for securely receiving a nut 1 56. into which ;1 screw 1 54 can be threaded Figure 25 shows the front face of a wall bracket 160 with holes 161, 162 for the insertion of screws or any other fastening means for securing the bracket directly to a wall or to an angled wall bracket of Figures 29 to 35. Figure 26 shows the rear face of the bracket of Figure 25.

The slot 165 can have sides 166 that are either substantially vertical or angled with respect to the vertical. The interior walls 168 ofthe bracket 160 taper from the top 163 into a minimum separation distance at the bottom 169. This facilitates a tightening fit as the wedge shaped locating means of shelves 90, 100 or brackets 268, 271 or 274 are pushed home by sliding locating means generally from the top to the bottom of the mounting bracket Figure 27 is a top plan view of the mounting bracket 160 showing the receiving slot 165 Figure 28 is a preferred embodiment 170 of wall bracket Here, additional bracing struts 171 and 172 have been included to stop flexing of the bracket which might lead to loosening of the bracket/locating means mating Figure 29 shows the front face of an angled wall bracket 180 Slots 181 are used to fasten the angled bracket to a wall or other such surface via the use of appropriate screws or other fastening means Vias 182 allow the insertion of screws etc that have been threaded through holes 161 and 162 of the wall brackets 160 or 170 above, and which then thread through nuts 185 which are held by lugs 1 83, so as to prevent rotation of nuts 1 85 when screws etc. are rotationally threaded through to secure wall bracket to angled bracket. The angled bracket 180 makes an angle 184 with the plane of the mounting surface which is preferably 300, but other acute angles are envisaged.

Figure 30 shows the rear view of the angled bracket 1 80 and Figure 31 is a detail view of nut 185 and holding lugs 183 Figures 32 to 35 show a preferred embodiment 190 of an angled wall bracket. Figure 32 shows the rear view of the bracket, slots 191 are used to secure the bracket to the mounting surface. Figure 33 shows the angled front face of the angled bracket 190. It is onto this face that the wall brackets as discussed above are secured using screw bores 192. The shaft 193 leading to the screw bores 192 is hexagonal in cross-section. This allows for the reception of a nut 185 which is then held in such a way as to prevent rotation of the nut about it's central axis when being threaded with a screw from the wall bracket 160 or 170.

Figure 35 shows the sectional view E-E of the angled bracket of Figure 34.

Figures 36 to 38 show ho:5 angled wall bracket 190. wall bracket 160 and shelf 90 join together in use It will be appreciated that any combination of brackets and shelf may be used, and the Figures are exemplary only Figures 40 and 41 show aii angled shelf 195 for use in the preferred system It can be used with either two upright meinbers, or two wall brackets Figure 41a shows an exploded detail of the locating means of the shelf 195 Figures 42 and 4o show per. pective views of extruded hexagonal upright members 196. 197 of differing radial measureme'ii, It is to be assumed that these members would be available in a complete range of sizes Extiuded upright members can alternatively be of a circular crosssection, or square or other cross-section Figures 44 and 45 show extruded octagonal upright members 198, 199 Figures 46 and 47 show a shelf intended for use with extruded upright members The Figure indicates a shelf 200 with hexagonal locating means 205 and securing means 206 The reader should be aware that locating means 205 may be octagonal, and that the shelf 200 may be of various sizes and maN incorporate the hollow. cantilever feature of Figures I 13 and 14 Fastening means such as a grub screw etc., is threaded through securing means 206 so as to abut an outer face of an extruded upright member and to therefore secure it in position at the desired height.

Figure 48 shows a wall bracket 210 for use, in this example, with a hexagonal upright member.

The bracket is secured to a mounting surface via slots 212, 214, and the extruded member is passed through locating means 211 and a grub screw or similar is applied via securing means 215 to establish the upright member in the desired position and without allowing further vertical movement.

Figure 49 shows a similar wall bracket 220 to that which is shown in Figure 48, but intended for use with a circular cross-section extruded upright member Figure 50 and 5 1 show views of a shelf 230 with polygonal 'toothed' locating means 235 This shelf can be used with the wall brackets herein described below. or with upright members, in this case the polygonal locating means 235 would resistively deform so as to provide a friction-brake to vertical movement.

Figures 52 and 53 show a shelf 240 with a right-circular locating means 245 and securing means 246. It will be clear that this shelf can be used with circular cross-section extruded upright members or wall brackets as herein described below The securing means 24s operates as described previously Figures 54 and 55 show a preferred embodiment of a shelf intended for use with wall bracket 260 or mounting brackets 268 or 274 as described below. The shelf 250 includes a hollow troughed cantilever 253 and -snap-in' cover strip 251 (see Figures 13 and 14 above) Locating means 252 is polygonal 'toothed' as above, but it has a frusto-conical cross-section with a radius at the end substantially flush with the top surface 254 being less than the radius at the other end. Alternatively, the polygonal locating means may be substantially right-circular or tapered-hexagonal or tapered-octagonal The locating means 252 mates with the locating means of wall and mounting brackets described below. For a locating means 252. there will be a discrete number of positions that the shelf can occupy dependent upon the number of teeth within the means 252.

Figure 56 shows a wall bracket 260 with a conical, toothed' polygonal locating means 262 for mating with the locating means 252 of the shelf 250. Figure 57 shows an alternative wall bracket 264 with a substantially right-circular, 'toothed' polygonal locating means 266 for mating with an alternative locating means of the shelf 150 above Figures 58 and 59 shows upright member brackets 268. 271 with locating means 269 272 for mating with locating means 252 above, and locating means 270. 273 for insertion into slotted channels of upright members or insertion into wall brackets 260. 270 Figure 60 shows a preferred embodiment 274 of upright member bracket including locating means 275 for mating with locating means 252 above, and additionally. slot 277 for receiving universal 'stop-lock' 125 The purpose of the lock 125, as previous, is to adjustably secure the bracket 274 at any position along the length of an upright member Figures 61, 62 and 64 to 66 show various alternative flexible loop brackets 280. 990 3 10, 320 and 330 respectively All include a flexible loop 282, 292, 312, 322 and 332 locating means 286, 296, 316, 325 and 335, securing means 281, 291, 311 321 and 331 The loop is intended to be able to hold generally cylindrical of circular cross-section articles such as plant pots.

Loops 282, 3 12 and 322 which may include serrations 283, 313, 323 or some fonn of friction providing knurling or may be smooth, engage with a cam(s) 285. 3 15, 324, which may be serrated or smooth. to provide a locking mechanism that securely holds the article in place Alternatively, as in Figure 62. the loop may include a lower, crennellated edge 293 which mates with a mirror image crennellated portion 294 and a resilient clasp 295 fits over the overlapping sections of the loop so as to bind them together and securely hold the article in place.

A similar solution is shown in Figure 66. Here, the loop has a serrated portion 333 which mates with a serrated portion 334. A wedge 335 is inserted behind the overlapping portions of the loop to provide a lateral force which holds the loop in place, thus securing the article also.

Figure 63 shows an example of a flexible loop bracket holding a plant pot Figure 67 shows a free-standing four-way support system 340. The system 340 includes a plurality of shelves 90, which are secured using a universal 'stop-lock' 125 to a four-way upright member 10 which is held in place by a base 350 The member 10 is capped with top plate 345 Figure 68 shows a floor-to-ceiling four-way support system 360 The system 360 includes a plurality of shelves 90, which are secured using a universal 'stop-lock' s to a four-way upright member 10 which is held in place by a base 350 The member 10 is capped with top cover 365, the upper surface of which abuts the surface of a ceiling or the surface of any such vertical barrier The figure also shows a join 370 between the two members 10 Figures 69 and 70 show details of the top cover 365 of Figure 68 The cover has a square top surface 372 that is supported by a hollow square-sectioned column 371 The hollow interior 373 may contain a fixed spring, see Figure 76.

Figures 71 and 72 show two views of the top plate 345 of Figure 67 Lugs 375 fit into peripheral channels 395 of the interior of the four-way upright member 10. see Figures 74 and 75 Figure 73 shows the circular base 350 of Figures 67 and 68. The base is injection moulded and includes a central square-sectioned receptacle 385 for receiving the four-way upright member 10, and spokes 380. The underside of the base 350 includes 3 feet on which the system rests.

Additionally, 4 holes are included in the underside of the base to receive castors should the system need to be mobile. It is envisaged that an adaptor may be inserted into 385 so as to allow the use of any type of upright member with this base.

Figure 74 shows the use of the fastening shuttle 390 in securing upright member 10 into base 350 The shuttle 390 is movable along the slotted channel 15 Screw 391 can be turned until it's tip resistively abuts the bed of the channel 15 The ponion of the shuttle residing within the hollow 385 will be encouraged to abut the inner wall of 385 as the screw 391 is turned against the bed of the channel I 15 Thus upright member 10 grips the base 350 There may be one, two, three or four shuttles used in any system base/member connection Figure 75 shows the base 350 including a fixed spring 396 within the central hollow 385 This is included when the base is used in a floor-to-ceiling system Two springs, one housed in the top cover 365 and the other housed in the base 350, allow the system to be vertically compressed by a small enough distance to allow the entire system to be positioned correctly in a room between floor and ceiling. When the correct position/placement is achieved, release of the compressing force will allow the system to expand and so abut both ceiling and base giving the required tight fit Figure 76 shows a cut-away view of the top cover 365 when the spring 396 is included As the figure shows, the upright member 10 fits into the hollow 373 and will engage the bottom of the spring 395.

Figure 77 shows how the join 370 of Figure 68 is achieved Pegs 400. which include a central collar that abuts the peripheral edge of the member 10 both above and below, fits into the channels 395 at each of the corners of the member, thus facilitating a stable join Figure 77a shows an alternative peg 401 The peg 401 has a thin metal spring-bow, and when it is inserted into the channel 390 it will only penetrate to a certain depth, allowing for the above member to be slotted over the exposed portion of the peg.

Figure 78 shows the fastening shuttle 390. Screws are inserted through vias 410 and a corresponding nut is held in place via the channel 415 at the rear of the shuttle.

Figure 79 shows the universal 'stop-iock' 125 which is used throughout. Screw 410 can be turned inward to meet and abut the bed of the channel 15 of any of the slotted upright members.

Figure 80 shows another system Here, the system 416 includes channelled base units 450, uprights 420, 430, a plurality of shelves 200 and pedestals 440 and flexible loop brackets 310 Figures 81 a to 8 Ic show base units with a variety of number of channels Figures 82a to 82c show three possible methods ofjoining two base units Figure 82a shows corresponding tongue and gloove running the length of adjoining units, Figures 82b and 82c show two types of joining clips 456, 457 Figure 83 shows an upright hexagonal member 430 which receives a pedestal 440 and a locating slide 445, and which is slotted into the channels of the base unit 450 as shown.

Figures 84 and 85 show a free-standing three and four leg pot holder stands, both include central tiers 462. 472 and a plurality of pot holders 465.

Figures 86 and 87 show two nibodiments of the central tiers 462, 472 attaching to the inside surface of the legs of the stands of Figures 84 and 85 This system for displaying pot plants or flowers can also be used for displaying other articles.

The system can be as shown either as a two or three tier assembly supported by three or four legs but can in any event have any number of tiers or legs for support.

This embodiment is preferably made by the injection moulding of thermo-plastics but can be made out of any suitable material. In our example the system is assembled by interlocking the central tiers which incorporate projecting nibs 463 which are angled to form a tight wedge action fit when engaged into the female counterpart wedged lugs 464 on the inside face of the legs to form a very tight fit. The system can therefore be marketed in a knock-down kit form with exceptional ease of assembly The main central tiers are tapered for the two-fold action of wedging into the legs and also for accepting the flower pot holders 465, and can be open-ended into which the plant pots sit or as shelves onto which the pot plants sit thereon This gives the system complete flexibility as to size, height, arrangement, and in this case the size of the plants or flowers to be displayed whether for the home, shop office or other commercial situation.

The pot holder stands can be used or any of the others as already illustrated or any fixing devices to hold or display items on or within the holder in any suitable material such as wrought iron etc. and could be fitted onto a central pillar The system lends itself to the artistic display of household plants, flowers, bonsai trees, dried flower arrangements, airplants or any objects required to be displayed An additional way of fitting the units together is that the nibs 463 on the inside face of the legs are sprung' as well as having tapered sides to give wedge fit on assembly and the nibs likewise that are on the inside ring face are also tapered to give a 'wedge' fit on assembly Figure 88 shows a flexible ioop brace 480 attached to a drainpipe (although any suitable column would suffice) and to which two pot holders 465 are fixed carrying two pots 470 Figure 89 shows an embodiment of the loop brace 480. In a similar fashion to the flexible loop brackets described above, the brace 480 has a serrated section 481 and a corresponding mating section 483, and clip for clasping the overlapping sections together.

This embodiment relates to the fixing of flower or plant pots around drainpipes whether they are round, square or any shape or any other upright or item to which they can be fixed in order to hold or display such items. In our particular product the items are made by injection and or extruded thermo-plastics but can be made in other suitable materials and by other suitable methods.

The embodiment consists of a flexible loop brace 480 which is fitted around the drainpipe as in Figure 88. The brace incorporates eight or any amount of teeth' 483 cut at any angle to mate with the teeth on the belt 481 as in this case on the inside of the belt although it could also be reversed and cut on the outside in which case it would be reversed at 483 The teeth r83 are also wedged as also on the belt This enables the belt to be clamped around the drainpipe and the end of the belt pushed over the teeth 483 which due to the teeth being cut at an angle will give a tightening effect wher engaged with the teeth 483 and would be wedged down and moved along In order that the belt will not spring away, a snap cover 482 that is moulded with locking ears and lugs will keep the belt in position. The 'locking' device can be in any other form whatsoever and inay not even be an integral part of the housing The belt could also be without the taper and can be locked in by any other means for instance with a wedge, using a cam action or any of the parts used in other examples showing how the belt or band is held in place.

When the belt/clamp is fitted securely around the drainpipe, the plant pot holder 462 which has a loop to locate under the rim of the plant pot. fixes over the belt around the drainpipe which has spacers to allow the fitting of the holder securely onto the belt by means of a tight wedge action which itself is tapered to match up with the taper of the receivlnel belt thus forming a very tight fit Figure 90 illustrates the pot holder which can be made in any size to fit an appropriate sized plant pot Figure 91 shows a single pot holding device 490, which is mounted to a wall via 'keyhole' slot 492. The pot 470 is realisably held by the sliding mechanism 495.

Figure 94 shows a suspended pot holding system 500, including a plurality of pot holders 462 and pots 470, a main support ring 530, an inner ring 520 and vertical arms 550. The system is suspended via a chain or rope etc 510.

This embodiment relates to the suspension of various individual plant pots as illustrated fixed on the perimeter of a circular main support ring 530 which is held bv a metal chain or any other means or materials for suspending the assembly. as shown in the Figure The main support ring is tapered as is the flower pot holder clip which engages over the support ring and locks tight when pushed down due to the action of the wedge action of the male and female tapers Any number according to the size of both the support ring support and the size of the plant pot holders can be used.

A further pot holder can be fitted inside the centre ring to house another plant if required The vertical arm > I 5 shown in Figure 96 is suspended from the main support ring by means of a tapered or wedge-shaped hook or any other means of engagement whilst the other end of the hanger has a 'pocket' which in our example is wedge/tapered shaped to accept the pot holders These hangers can be of any shape, size. length or configuration and made in any suitable material but in this instance ,s of injection moulded thermoplastics Utilising these hangers any number of varying visual effects can be achieved which can be both pleasing and artistic Yet a further embodiment can be fixing a secondary (or even more) rings hanying from the original main support and even could have hangers attached thereunder so that the suspended flower pot system could be likened to a Chandelier See Figure 101 The interlocking or jointing of two or more members is achieved by the wedge action on 1, 2, 3 or 4 of more surfaces or faces or any other means for such engagement The vertical arm 550 is a universal component that engages over the main support ring and hangs down to support the flower pot holders as well as if required to support another ring onto which can be supported further flower pot holders. With this universal hanger any number of centre rings can be supported to be used in conjunction with either further hangers on their own for engaging the flower pot holders.

The main support ring shown in Figure 95 can be hung by engaging the vertical arm which is hooked under the stiffening ribs of the ring A further embodiment of the system is the inner ring 520 and radial member 560 whereby another flower pot can be located within the centre of the main ring giving extra flexibility See Figures 98, 99 and 100 The chain or rope attaches to the main support ring at either 532 or 534 or both, see figure 95.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS 1 A display and support system comprising: an upright member including at least one slotted channel running the length of the member; a bracket including a locating means for insertion and mating with the channel of the upright member, and locking means for fixing the bracket at any desired position along substantially the whole length of the member; a shelf for providing a platform for display articles and which is supportable by or integral with the bracket, and support means for supporting the upright member 2 A display and support system as claimed in claim I , wherein the support means includes mounting brackets and wal brackets, the mounting brackets for securing the member to the wall brackets and the wall brackets for securing the mounting brackets to a wall or any mounting surface A A display and support system as claimed in claim lor 2, wherein the upright member is a hollow-core extruded plastic tube with a substantially rectilinear cross-section 4 A display and support system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the or each of the channels has a substantially fat bed with substantially curved walls culminating in a lipped-slot parallel to the bed.

   5 A display and support svstcin as claimed in claim 2, wherein the brackets include an undercut or chamfer between an upper supporting horizontal surface and a substantially perpendicular side surface {r, th bracket 6. A display and support system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the brackets have a generally hollow box interior 7. A display and support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locating means includes a lipped-tongue cross-section and runs along the face of the bracket which interfaces with the upright member and is of a length substantially greater than the vertical height of the bracket at the point where bracket and member meet.

   8. A display and support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking means includes an orifice running through the locating means and including a fastening means for threading the orifice.

   9 A display and support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brackets include a truncated, wedge-shaped locating means and a removable bracket stop-lock the stop lock comprising: a slotted moulding, a nut recess, a nut and a corresponding screw 10. A display and support system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shelf is a moulded plastic platform with an undercut groove on the underside of the shelf which mates with the corresponding undercut or chamfer of the bracket 11 A display and support system as claimed in claim I, wherein the shelf and bracket constitute a single unit which is a one-piece plastic moulding.

   12. A shelf and bracket as claimed in claim Il, wherein the single unit includes a wedgeshaped locating means and strengthening radial struts.

   13. A shelf and bracket as claimed in claim 11, wherein the single unit includes a hollow core cantilever support on the underside of the unit which is capped on the topside with a cover strip.

   14. A display and support system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the upright member is a three-way upright member.

   15. A display and support system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the mounting brackets consist of a top mounting bracket and a bottom mounting bracket.

   16. A display and support system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the mounting bracket is directly fixed to the wall or mounting surface 17. A display and support system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the top and bottom mounting brackets mate with a wall bracket 18. A display and support system as claimed in claim 15. wherein the mounting brackets include a nut housing, a nut and a corresponding screw for securing the mounting bracket to the upright at the desired position 19 A display and support system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the wall bracket includes bracing struts.

   20 A display and support system as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the single unit shelf and bracket mate with the wall bracket and the wall bracket is fixedly attached to the angled wall bracket which is in turn fixedly attached to a wall or mounting surface directly 21 A display and support system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the single unit shelf and bracket is an angled shelf 22. A display and support system comprising: extruded upright hollow members, shelves with integral locating means for encompassing the extruded hollow upright members, and a securing means for fixing the shelves at the desired position on the member; wall brackets including locating and securing means; upright member brackets.

   23 A display and support system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the extruded upright hollow members are of an hexagonal cross-section, of an octagonal cross-section, of a circular, square or rectangular cross-section.

   24. A display and support system as claimed in claim 23, wherein the shelves and/or wall brackets include hexagonal or octagonal locating means, a circular, square or rectangular locating means.

   25. A display and support system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the shelves include a polygonal 'toothed' locating means 26 A display and support system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the or each shelf includes a hollow core cantilever support on the underside thereof which is capped on the topside with a cover strip. and a truncated conical polygonal 'toothed' locating means 27 A display and suppon system as claimed in claim 26. wherein the wall brackets include a conical polygonal 'toothed' locating means for mating with the locating means of the shelves 28. A display and support system comprising: upright members including at least one slotted channel running the length of the ineniber, brackets which include a locating means for insertion and mating with the channel of the upright member, and a locking means for fixing the bracket at the desired position on the member, shelves for providing a platform for the articles of the display, mounting brackets and wall brackets, the mounting brackets for securing the member to the wall brackets and the wall brackets for securing the mounting brackets to a wall or any mounting surface; angled wall brackets for providing various mounting orientations; upright member brackets 29 A display and support system as claimed in claim 28, wherein the or each shelf includes a polygonal 'toothed' locating means or a truncated tapered hexagonal locating means 30. A display and support system as claimed in claim 28. wherein the upright member bracket includes truncated conical polygonal 'toothed' locating means or truncated tapered hexagonal locating means for mating with the locating means of the shelf 31 A display and support system as claimed in claim 28, wherein the upright member bracket includes truncated conical polygonal 'toothed' locating means for mating with the locating means of the shelf and a slot for receiving a universal stop-lock 32 A display and support system comprising. a multi-way upright member, a plurality of shelves. a plurality of universal stop-locks; a base with a central hollow for receiving an upright member; a top plate, at least one fastening shuttle 33. A display and support system comprising at least two multi-way upright members; a plurality of shelves; a plurality of universal stop-locks; a base with a central hollow for receiving an upright member, and including a fixed spring; a top cover including a fixed spring; a plurality ofjoining pegs.

   34. A display and support system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the joining peg includes a thin metal spring-bors 35. A display and support system comprising: at least one channelled base unit; at least one upright. at least one shelf, at least one pedestal, at least one locating slide 36. A display and support svstem as claimed in claim 35. wherein a plurality of base units are joined together to form a larger base unit.

   37. A display and support system as claimed in claim 35 or 36, wherein a flexible loop bracket is provided which includes a locating means with securing means, a flexible loop and a fastening means 38 A display and support system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the flexible loop includes a section of serrations or crennellations.

   39 A display and support system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the fastening means includes a crennellated or serried region and a loop engaging cain 40 A display and support. system as claimed in claim 39, wherein the fastening means includes a wedge or clasp to encourage binding of serrated or crennellated regions of the loop and fastening means 4 1. A display and support system comprising: a plurality of injection-moulded plastic legs at least two central tiers of different diameter; a plurality of pot holders.

   42. A display and support system as claimed in claim 41. wherein the legs include wedged lugs.

   43. A display and support system as claimed in claim 42, wherein the central tiers include projecting nibs for tightly engaging the wedged lugs of the legs 44. A display and support system comprising a flexible loop brace for encompassing a drainpipe or other such column. and at least one pot holder 45. A display and support system as claimed in claim 44, wherein the flexible loop brace includes toothed regions which are mated together with the aid of snap cover 46. A display and support system as claimed in claim 45, wherein the flexible loop brace includes spacers.

   47. A pot holding device comprising: a wall mounting section including a keyhole slot for a mounting screw; a releasable sliding mechanism for securing a pot in place 48. A display and support system comprising: at least one main support ring, a plurality of pot holders, a suspension rope or chain 49. A display and support system as claimed in claim 48, wherein the system includes an inner ring and radial member.

   50. A display and support system as claimed in claim 49, wherein the system includes at least one vertical arm.

   5 1. A display and support system as claimed in claim 50, wherein the system includes a plurality of main support rings linked with vertical arms, and a plurality of plant pot holders to achieve the effect of a plant pot 'chandelier'