GB2362808A

GB2362808A - Gondola merchandise display assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2362808A
Application number: GB0013401A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albert Kelly; Dermot Brennan
Original assignee: ANWAR INVEST Ltd
Current assignee: ANWAR INVEST Ltd
Priority date: 2000-05-31
Filing date: 2000-05-31
Publication date: 2001-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2020-05-31
Also published as: GB2362808B; GB0013401D0

Abstract

A modular gondola merchandising display assembly (1) has a ground engaging base (2) mounted on castors with an upstanding central well (3) on which shelves (4) are mounted to support merchandise for display. The gondola display assembly (1) has a composite metal support frame comprising a plurality of spaced-apart upstanding shelf support posts interconnected by bracing members. Cladding panels (55,56) are mounted on the shell support posts. Shelf support brackets (62) of the shelves (4) engage with shelf mounting slots (20) in the support posts. A lamp is mounted within a casing (70) at an outer edge of each shelf (4) for illuminating merchandise on the shelf below.

Description

2362808 "A Digglay AmembW lnuction This invention relates to a display

assembly, and in particular to a gondola merchandising display assembly for displaying merchancrise in retail shops.

Gondola merchandising display assemblies are widely used in retail shops and various different constmetions of gondola are available. Examples of various types of gondola display assembly are disclosed in patent specification Nos. US 5.678.702.

US 5,660,287 and US 5.477.971. Many of the known gondola systems am of relatively complex construction and are thus relatively expensive to produce and their assembly is both complex and time consuming.

The present invention is directed towards overcoming these problerriC It is an object of the invention to provide an knproved gondola merchandWng display assembly of relatively simple construction which facilitates easy and economic manufacture and having a minimum number of components that can be readily easily and quickly assembled in modular fashion to form a range of desirable modular display gondolas.

Statements of Invention

Accordling to the invention. there is provided a modular gondola merchandising display assembly for displaying merchandise in retail shops, the gondola display assembly comprising:- a composite metal support frame formed by a plurality of spaced-apart upstanding shelf support posts, each shelf support post having at its lower end a ground-engaging base support member, each shelf support post being of rectangular box section having a front wall, a rear wall and side walls extending between the front and rear walls, each of the front wall and the rear wall having a plurality of vertjcdiy spacedapart shag mounting slots, the shelf support posts being interconnected by upper and lower bracing members extending therebetween, is 1 each upper bracing member riding between opposed facing side walls of adjacent shelf support posts at upper ends of said shelf support posts and being secured to said shelf support posts, each lower bracing member being mounted between opposed facing side walls of adjacent shelf support posts at lower ends of said shelf support posts, the lower bracing member Wing of rectangular configuration having a top, a bottom and substantially vertical sides extending between the top and the bottom, with outer faces of the sides abutting the side walls of said shag support posts and being secured thereto, cladding panels being mounted between the shelf support poo, and a number of shelves mounted on the shelf support posts in front of the panels by means of shelf support bmkú4s heiving inner ends which are releasably interangaged with the shag support slots in the shag support posts.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention at an end of the gondola, a transverse shelf support frame is provided comprising a pair of spacedapart upstanding shelf support posts interconnected at their upper ends by an upper bracing member and at their lower ends by a lower bracing member, said lower bracing member abutting and being attached to the base support member of the shelf support post at that end of the gondola and the upper bracing member being secured to an upper end of the shelf support post at that end of the gondola. an upright to bar mounted between the upper and lower bracing members, said tie bar abutting and secured to an outer side face of the shelf support post at that and of the gondola and being secured thereto. a base support member projecting outwardly at a lower and of each of said pair of shelf 3_ support posts, one or more cladding panels being mounted between said pair of shelf support posts and a number of shelves being mounted on the pair of shed support posts.

Preferably the upper bracing member comprises a bracing bar of box section material with each end of the bracing bar abutting the ride wall of one of said she# support p", a hook being provided at each and of the bracing bar which engages with a complementary receiver slot in the side wall of the shed support posts, and the lower bracing member comprises a tubular bracing frame of box on material having a top element, a bottom element and a pair of side elements e)de-ncdng between opposite ends of the top element and the bo element Converflently the base support member at the lower end of each shed support post is mounted on castors or wheels.

In another embodiment the base support member composes a substandaby hofizantal beam of box section material and the shelf support post is upstanding on a top of the beam intermediate the ends of the beam which project outwardly of the slotted front wall and rear wall of the shelf support post.

In a further embodiment a lamp is mounted at an outer edge of each shelf on an underside of eachshelf.

Preferably the lamp is mounted within an inwardly open channel-section easing attached to an underside of the shed and extending along an outer edge of the shed.

In another embodiment each shelf comprises a rectangular shelf panel with a front edge, a rear edge and side edges riding thembetween, a shed support bracket being attached to each side edge, the inner end of each shelf suppgrt bracket projecting inwardly of the rear edge of the shed for interengagement with associated shelf mounting slots in the shelf support posts.

In a particularly preferred embodiment each shed comprises a rectangular meted frame within which is mounted a shed panel, the frame comprising a front wall and a back wall interconnected by end walls, each end wall having a downwardly open channel for reception of a shelf mounting bracket and an opposed pair of walls having inwardly extending flanges forming a seat for reception of the shelf panel.

In another embodiment each cladding panel is secured against the shelf support posts by means of retaining dips which are engagable between a front face of the panel and the shelf bracket mounting slots in the shelf support posts.

In a preferred embodiment rear vertical side edges of each panel have a rebate for reception and engagement with an edge of the shelf support posts between which it is mounted. a resilient strip being mounted withim said rebate to allow through pas ge of lamp power support cables between said resfilent strip and the she# support posts.

In another embodiment a decorative cap is provided extending across the upper ends of the shelf support posts, sald cap having a number of fickebng slots therein for supporting notices.

In a further embodiment a plinth panel is mounted on the base support members and 20 a skirt is mounted about an outer edge of the plinth extending downwardly therefrom to conceal sgd base support members.

DIied Description of the Invention

The invention will be more clearly understood by the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a gondola merchandising display assembly according to the invention; Figs. 2 to 4 are di perspective views, each illustrating different stages in the assembly of the gondola; Fig- 5 is a detail exploded perspective view showing the connection between a bracing bar and shelf support post, Fig. 6 is a detail elevationaf view of a panel retaining clip; -1 Fig. 7 is a detail sectional View showing the mounting of cladding panels;

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspectirve view of a shaft assembly forming portion of the gondola; Fig. 9 is an end elevational view of a lamp casing forming portion of the shaft assembly, Fig. 10 is a detail exploded view of another shelf assembly, Fig. 11 is a detail secdonal view along the line)G-Xl of Fig. 10, and Fig. 12 is a detail exploded perspective view of part cd a skirt forming portion of the gondola.

Referring to the drawings. there is illustrated a modular gondola merchandising display assembly according to the irwention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The gondola 1 has a ground engaging base 2 with an upstanding central wall 3 an both sides of which a number of shelves 4 are mounted to support merchandise for display. At one end of the central wall 3, a transverse end wall 6 is provided upstanding on the base 2 on which a number of additional shelves 4 are mounted.

Referring in particular to Fig. 2. the gondola 1 has a composite metal Support frame indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. The support frame 10 comprises a plurality of spaced-apan upstanding shelf support posts 11. In this case, five of 1he support posts 11 are arranged in line to form porfion of a skeleton for3he central wall 3. Each shelf support post 11 has at its lower end 12 a bass support member 13 mounted on castors 14. Each shelf support post 11 is of rectangular box section material having a front wall 16, a rear wall 17 and side walls 18, 19 witending between the front wall 16 and rear wall 17. Both the front wall 16 and rear wall 17 have a plurality of vertically spaced-apart shag mounting slots 20. It will be noted that the shelf support post 11 and the associcited ground engaging base member 13 essentiEdly forms an inverted T-shaped support element A number of these support elements are interconnected inAine by upper bracing members 24 and lower bracing members 25 which rid between adjacent shelf support posts 11. Each upper bracing member 24 comprisw a b=sing bar of box section material with each end of the bracing bar abutting the opposed facing side walls 18, 19 of adjacent shelf support posts 11 at an upper end 26 of each shelf support post 11 - As shown in fig. 5. a hooked conne 21 is mounted at each and of the bracing bar 24 for engagement within a complementary receiver slat 22 in the side wall 18 of the support post 11. Thus, the support elements can be readily easily and quickJy interconnected by the upper bracing bars 24.

Each lower bracing member 25 comprises a tubular bracing frame of box section material having a top element 28, a bottom element 29 and a pair of side elements 30. 31 extending between opposite ends of the top element 28 and bottom element 29. The lower bracing members 25 are mounted between opposed facing side walls 18. 19 of adjacent shelf support posts 11 at the lower ends 12 of the shelf support posts 11. It will be noted that outer faces of the side elements 30, 31 abut the side wads 18. 19 of the shelf support posts 11 and are secured thereto bi'fasteners such as bolts or screws.

The end wall 6 is formed by a pair of sp-apart upstanding shelf support posts 35 of similar construction to the previously mentioned shaft support posts 11. These shaft support posts 35 are interconnected at their upper ends by an upper bracing member 37 of box section material and at their lower ends by a I bracing member 38 also of box-section material. lt will be noted that the lower bracing member 38 is attached to the base support member 13 of the shelf support post 11 at that end of the gondola frame 10 and the upper bracing member 37 is secured to an upper end 26 of said shelf support post 11 at the end of the gondola frame 10. An upright be bar 39 is mounted between the upper bracing member 37 and lower bracing member 38 being centrally located and abutting and secured to an outer lam 18 of the shelf support post 11 at that: end of the gondola frame 10 by fasteners such as screws or bolts. A base support arm 40 projects outwardly at the lower end of each of the shelf support posts 35 and has a cast r 14 adjacent an outer and of the 5 arm 40.

As can be seen in Fig. 3, plinth panels 45, 46. 47 are mounted on the base support members 13 and an the base support arms 40 respectively. A skirt 48 extends continuously around the base portion 2 being formed by lOck boards which are secured to mounting brackets 49 (Fig. 2) on the base members 13 and base support arms 40 by means of screws or the like. Aluminium corner pieces 60 are provided, each having a pair of dowels 51 (see Fig. 12) for engagement in complementary slots 52 at each end of the kick boards forming the skirt 48.

number of cladding panels 55 are hung between the shelf support posts 11 to conceal the support frame 10 and provide a decorative facing to the central wait 3- Similarly, cladding panels 56 are mounted on the transverse end wall 6 also. The cladding panels 55, 56 are retained against the support posts 11 by Clips 65. Each clip 65 has a circular head 66 which engages a front bee of the panel 55, 56 and an inwardly extending shank 67 with slots 68 for engagement with the shalf mounting slots 20 in the posts 11. In this case, three slots 68 are pmvided to accommodate panels 55, 56 of different Width.

Fig. 7 shows the engagement of a panel 55 between a pair of posts 11. A rebate 80 is provided along each rear vertical edge of the panel 55 for co- operating engagement with the inner front vertical edges of the posts 11. A sponge or flexible rubber strip 81 is mounted in the rebate 130 to allow through passage -of power cables to the lamps on the shelving whilst firmly securing the panel 56 between the posts 11.

Seated on top of each of the walls 3, 6 are Irim elements 58 which cap the walls 3. 6A number of ticketing slots 59 are provided in ft trim elements 58 for supporting advertising or pricing notices.

The arrangement of each shelf 4 is shown in more detail in Figs. 8 and 9. Each shelf 4 comprises a rectangular shelf panel 60. An edging strip 61 is mounted along a front edge of the shelf panel 60. A metal shelf support bracket 62 is mounted along each side edge of the shelf support panel 60. An inner end 63 of each shelf support bracket 62 projects inwardly of a rear edge 64 of the sher panel 60 for interengagement wb associated shelf mounting slots 20 in the shelf support posts 11, 35. Thus, conveniently, each shelf 4 can be readily. easily and quickly adjusted to after the position of the shelves 4 on the walls 3, 6 and the spacing between the shelves 4. The fact that the shelf mounting brackets 62 are secured to the shelf panel 60 greatly simplifies this pure.

1 () A lamp is mounted at an outer edge of each shelf 4 on an underside of 1he shelf 4. The lamp is mounted within an inwardly open channel section easing 70 haMng a front portion 71 within which the lamp is housed and rearwardly extending side portions 72 forming channels 73 for routing wiring frorn the lamp to behind the panels 55. 56. It W11 be appreciated that the lamps illuminate the merchandise displayed an the shelves 4 to provide an attractive and dear display of the merchandise.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, a preferred form of shed assembly is shown, indicated generally by the reference numeral 90. The shelf assembly 190 comprises a rectangular metal frame 91 within which is mounted a wooden shelf panel 92. The frame 91 comprises a front wall 93 and a back wall 94 interconnected by and walls 95, 96. Each end wall 95, 96 is formed from a single piece of metal bent into the shape illustrated in Fig. I i defining a downwardly open channel 97 for reception of a shelf mounting bracket An inwardly extending flange 98 liorms a seat for reception of the wooden shelf panel 92. Countersunk screw holes 102 are provided in the front wall 93 and back wall 94 to receive screws which are screwed into front and rear edges of the shelf panel 92- In use, shelf mounting brackets can be mounted on the support posts 11 and the shelf assembly 90 dropped into place with the channel 97 receiving the outwardly extending arm of the shelf mounting bracket TKJs facilitates changing the shelving about if desired. Alm, the shelving can be packed flat for compactness during transport.

A decorative wooden front panel 99 is secured to an outer face of the front wall 93, which is inclined to face upwardly In use, by means of screws which engage through -g- holes 104 before the shelf panel 92 is mounted in the we 91. A channel 100 is provided along a top edge of the panel 99 for reception of tickelling.

11 YWII be appreciated CW the invention prWides a gondola concton Wfich is relatively simple with a small number of easily interconnected parts to facilitate both manufacture and assembly of the gondola. In spite of its simplicity, because of the braciing arrangements, the gondola is robust and forms a solid and attractive display unit for merchandise. It Wil be appreciated that any do number-of shelf support posts may be bolted together to form gondolas of the required length. It will be appreciated that while the shelving is preferably provided on h" sides of the central wall, in some cases it may be only provided on one side and indeed a transverse end wall may be provided at one or both ends of the gondola or indeed may not be used, depending on the display required.

It WN be noted that instead of the shelves 4 other merchandise supports such as rails or the like may be provided on the support posts 11, being hung on the support posts 11 in the same manner as the shelf mounting brackets 62. Thus, for ee blister packs of goods could be hung and displayed on the rails which project outwardly of the support posts 11. Any suitable fittings for supporting medise on the support 20 posts 11 which engage in the slots 20 of the support posts 11 may be provided and the term shelf as used in this patent specification should be taken to include any such merchandise supports.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbelkire described which may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS so A modular gondola merchandising display assembly-far displaying

merchandise in retail shops, the gondola display assembly comprising:- a composite meW support frame formed by a plurality of spaan upsmnding shelf support pmU, each shelf support post having at its lower end a ground-engaging base wpport member, each shelf support post being of rectangular box section having a front wall, a rear wall and side walls extending between the front and rear wails, each of the front wall and the rear wall having a plurality of vertically spaced-apart she# mounting slots, the shelf support posts being interconnected by upper and lower bracing members riding therebetween, each upper bracing member riding between opposed facing side walls of adjacent shelf support posts at upper ends of said shelf support posts and being secured to said shelf support posts, each lower bracing member being mounted between opposed facing side walls of adjacent shelf support posts at lower ends of said shelf support posts.

the lower bracing member being of rectangular configuration having a top, a bottom and substantially vertical sides extending between the top and the bottom, with outE r faces of the sides abutting the side walls of said shelf support posts and being secured thereto, cladding panels being mounted between the shelf support posts, and a number of shahms mounted on the Shelf SUPPOrt Posts in front of the panels by means of shelf support brackets having inner ends which 2.

is are reiiy interangaged with the shelf support slots in the shelf support posts.

An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein at an end of the gondola, a transverse shelf support frame is provided comprising a pair of spacedapart upstanding shelf support posts interconnected at their upper ends by an upper bracing member and at their lower ends by a lower bracing member, said lower bracing member abutting and being ata to the base support member of the shelf support post at that end of the gondola and the upper bracing member being secured to an upper end of the shell support post at that end of the gondola. an upright to bar mounted between the upper and lower bracing members, said tie bar abutting and secured to an outer side face of the shelf support post at end of the gondola aM being secured thereto. a base support member projecting outwardly at a lower end of each of said pair of shelf support posts. one or more cladding panels being mounted between said pair of shelf support posts and a number of shelves being mounted on the pair of shelf support posts.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper bracing member comprises a bracing bar of box sn material with each end of the bracing bar abutting the side wall of one of said she# support posts, a hook being provided at each end of the bracing bar which engages with a complemeritary recewer slot in the side wall of the she# support poM, and the lower bracing member comprises a tubular bracing frame of box serlion material having a top element a bottom element and a pair of side eterne" extending be opposite ends of the top element and the bottom element 4. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base support member at the lower end of each shaft support post is mounted on castors or wheels.

G_ An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base support member comprises a substantially horizontal bewn of box section material and the shelf support post is upstanding on a top of the beam intermediate 1 the ends of the beam which project outwardly of the slotted front wall and rear wall of the shelf support post 6. An assembly as claimed in any preceding cWwn. wherein a lamp is mounted at an outer edge of each shelf an an underside of each shaft 7. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the lamp is mounted within an inwardly open channel-section casling attached to an underside of the shelf and extending along an outer edge of the shelf.

8. An assembly as claimed in any precedng claim, wherein each shelf 7 comprises a rectangular sheJf panel with a front edge, a row edge and side edges mdending therebetween, a shag support bracket being attached to each side edge, the inner end of each shelf support bracket projecting inwardly of the rear edge of the shelf for interengagement with associated shag mounting slots in the shelf support posts.

g. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7. wherein each shelf comprises a rectangular metal frame within which is mounted a shelf panel, the frame comprising a front well and a back well interconnected by end walls, each end wall having a dowriwardly open channel for reception of a shelf mountng bracket and an opposed pair of walls having inwardly extending flanges forming a scat for reception of the shelf panel.

10. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each cladding panel is secured against the shelf support posts by means of retaining clips which are engageable between a front face of the panel and the shelf bracket mounting slots in the shelf support posts, 11. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein rear vertical side edges of each panel have a rebate for reception and engagement with an edge of the shelf support posts between which it is mounted, a resilient strip being mounted within said rebate to allow through passage of lamp power support cables between said resilient strip and the shelf support posts.

-Is- 12. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim. wherein a deco cap Is provided extending across the upper ends of the shelf support posts. &dd cap having a number of ticketing slots therein for supporting notices.

is. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a plirvth panel is mounted on the base support members and a sldrt is mounted about an outer edge of the plinth extending downwardly therefrom to conceal said base support members.

14. A modular gondola merchandising display assembly subs as hereinbefore described wiffi reference to the accompanying dravAngs.

.I