GB2422538A

GB2422538A - Clothing/footwear display stand which operates by magnetic attraction between the clothing/footwear and the stand

Info

Publication number: GB2422538A
Application number: GB0501970A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Catchpole
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-31
Filing date: 2005-01-31
Publication date: 2006-08-02
Also published as: GB0714624D0; GB2437865A; GB0601773D0; GB2437865B; GB0501970D0; WO2006079839A1

Abstract

A clothing display and support holds clothing such as footwear (e.g. shoes, boots, sandals, boots, etc.) by ferromagnetic attraction between the display and a fixture(s) 2 provided on/in the footwear. The display is metallic (e.g.steel) and the fixture(s) may be a permanent magnet(s) made of activated magnetic powder held in a moulded polymer shape. The magnet(s) is flat and flexible for insertion into a shoe against the sole or side of the shoe, and may be retained (3), e.g. sprung or gripped, to be near to the display's surface. The fixture(s) may have a loop or hole to which an induction loop security device may be attached. The display may be a flat wall display for being covered by a poster, or may be a floor display having a context specific appearance such as a rock terrain imitation for attaching climbing footwear. The fixture(s) may take various forms and shapes (Figs.5,6).

Description

- 2422538 A Clothing Article Display Apparatus, Fixtures and Method This

invention relates to a display for clothing articles such as footwear and a method for supporting such clothing articles on a display. The apparatus and associated method are applicable to commerce and the retail industry.

In the past various displays for shoes have been proposed. All of these have relied on gravity to hold the shoes to the display stand and have invariably had horizontal or near-horizontal supports. This has the disadvantage that it limits the ability of the user or shoe shop owner designing a shoe display to be suitable for people of varying heights and display the shoes to best effect. Such a display also has the disadvantage of being unable to express to a user the context of a shoe designed to be suitable for steep terrain. Further the requirement of displaying many shoes at similar orientations limits the possibility of exploiting the opportunities for improved packing ratios that are available at unconventional relative orientations. Even if the display designer does not wish to place shoes closer together the alternative advantage is to increase the amount of space between the shoes to better allow shoppers to view and appreciate the shoes.

A solution is needed which permits these advantages but does not prevent the shopper from taking and replacing shoes from the display.

Fig. I is an illustration of a known display for shoes. Known improvements include individual shelves adapted to attach at multiple near horizontal angles and at multiple positions to a larger display apparatus. These however do not adequately provide an improvement in the visibility of the shoes and their relative spacings, nor enhance the context specific display effect. They are also not suitable for minor adjustments according to the designer's preferences.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means whereby shoes may be displayed in a manner with increased appeal.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a means whereby more shoes may be displayed in a display area.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a stand for displaying clothing articles comprising at least a metallic portion, wherein the stand is for supporting each of said clothing articles by means of ferromagnetic attraction between the at least a metallic portion of the stand and at least one respective substantially ferromagnetic fixture provided for each respective clothing item.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a fixture being substantially ferromagnetic for holding clothing articles to a metallic support by means of a ferromagnetic attraction between the fixture and the metallic support.

- *...r - According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided the method of displaying clothing articles on the stand of the first aspect using the substantially ferromagnetic fixture of the second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided the method of displaying clothing articles on the stand of the first aspect using the substantially ferromagnetic fixture (2) of the second aspect.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of displaying a plurality of items of footwear on a stand having the steps of providing a metallic display stand, providing a plurality of fixtures for the plurality of items of footwear, the fixtures and metallic stand having a ferromagnetic attraction therebetween, and placing the items of footwear provided with the fixtures against or proximal to the metallic stand.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an illustration of a known shoe stand; Figure 2 is an illustration of an example of a vertical shoe stand according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is an illustration of an example of a floor based shoe stand according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a diagram of a shoe support in a shoe according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a diagram of a shoe support in a shoe according to another embodiment of the invention; and Figure 6 is a diagram of a shoe support for a shoe according to another embodiment of the invention.

In the following description, various aspects of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the present invention.

For the purposes of implementing any of the embodiments, further information can be obtained regarding relevant holographic materials and techniques in the following to which reference is hereby directed: According to a general embodiment of the first aspect there is provided a support for a shoe for aiding attachment of a shoe on or against a metallic stand for displaying a plurality of shoes whereby the display and the shoe support have a ferromagnetic attraction therebetween.

A stand may be a metallic stand being of a metal or alloy comprising at least one of iron, cobalt or nickel and most preferably being iron or steel. A metallic stand is adapted to be suitable for mutual attraction to a magnet. Such a metallic stand is not intended to have its own permanent magnetic field but may develop weak magnetism induced by a stronger magnetic field due to a shoe support. Such a metallic stand in suitable for use with shoe supports having a permanent ferromagnetic component.

A stand may be a permanent ferromagnetic stand comprising at least one of iron, cobalt or nickel and preferably at least iron and cobalt or iron and nickel, most preferably all three. A permanent ferromagnetic stand is adapted to induce a permanent magnetic field and is adapted to be suitable for attracting metals containing at least one of iron nickel or cobalt or indeed other permanent magnets. A permanent ferromagnetic stand may have a substantially uniform direction of magnetism or more preferably has an alternating pattern of field directions.

A metallic support comprises at least one of iron, nickel or cobalt and is adapted to be suitable for being aftracted to a permanent ferromagnet. Such a metallic support is not intended to have its own permanent magnetic field but may develop weak magnetism induced by a stronger magnetic field due to a permanent ferromagnetic stand. Such a metallic support is suitable for use only with a permanent ferromagnetic stand. Such a support may be predominantly of iron, preferably of steel. Preferably a criterion of predominant composition is predominant composition by mass.

According to a permanent ferromagnetic embodiment the support comprises at least particles of a permanent ferromagnetic metal or alloy. A bulk permanent ferromagnetic embodiment the support comprises a permanent ferromagnetic metal or alloy. A particulate permanent ferromagnetic embodiment the support comprises particles of a permanent ferromagnetic in a second material. The second material being a polymer, more preferably a plastic, rubber or silicone based material. The combination thereof is preferably such that the material may be magnetised after or during a hardening period and has the properties of permanent ferromagnetism and significant flexibility.

A permanent ferromagnetic support preferably is shaped to be substantially flat or filamental. Such shape does not include any substantially non-permanent ferromagnetic structure or part. As such there may be a thickness dimension being a minimum diameter and having a thickness preferably less than 3cm, more preferably less than 2cm, more preferably less than 1.3cm, more preferably less than 0.8cm, more preferably less than 0.5 cm, most preferably less than 0.3cm.

There may be a ratio of the thickness being a minimum diameter to a length being a maximum diameter being at least 1:1.5, more preferably at least 1:2, more preferably at least 1:3, more preferably 1:5 more preferably 1:7, most preferably 1:10. A minimum thickness may be defined as that with an axis pointing at and perpendicular to the proximal surface of a display when in use. A maximum thickness may r be defined as a maximum thickness in any direction parallel to the proximal surface of a display when in use.

Provided that at least one of the stand and the support is substantially permanently ferromagnetic the other of the two may comprise a metal suitable for attraction thereto. in the case where one of the stand and the support is permanently ferromagnetic and has a pattern of varying magnetic field directions therein it is preferred that the other of the substantially not be permanently ferromagnetic in nature. In the case where one of the stand and the support is permanently ferromagnetic and has a substantially uniform magnetic field direction therein over distances comparable or greater than a maximum support dimension then the other of the two may be substantially not of permanent ferromagnetic nature but more preferably is of permanent ferromagnetic nature.

A shoe support excluding any non-permanently-magnetic holding or fixture structure may preferably be substantially flat or filamental in shape. Preferred support shapes include being substantially flat with a polygonal or curved outline such as circular, oblong, rectangular, square or triangular. Another preferred shape is an elongate structure with a cross sectional shape being any of substantially square or rectangular, or varying between two rectangles having perpendicular elongate directions. Such a latter shape may be for bending to fit within a shoe, the elongate structure being changed to a curved elongate structure being curved in a plane such that preferably in use the structure is substantially flat. Such shapes are the shapes in use and may vary therefrom when not in use especially if they are flexible. Additionally such shapes substantially define the region of the support that is of use in providing a mutual attraction between such a support and a stand and may preferably not include any structure for gripping the support or permitting fixation of any security device.

A shoe support may be provided for placement inside a shoe against and parallel to the sole of the shoe. A shoe support may be provided for placement inside a shoe against a side of the shoe.

Preferably a shoe support may be provided for either of the aforementioned placement options.

A shoe support may be provided with shoe holding means for attaching externally to a shoe. Such attachment may be by clamping means or may be by adhesive or semi adhesive means. Such attachment to a shoe may be permanent, or preferably removable.

Preferably such means has a substantially ferromagnetic portion and a second portion for attachment to a shoe.

A shoe support is provided for attaching a shoe to a shoe stand for display purposes. Accordingly at least two major orientations may be provided including an upright orientation and a sideways orientation. A stand may be provided with vertical surfaces and horizontal surfaces for permitting display of shoes in multiple orientations. Such provision of possible orientations in excess of those possible using conventional shelving permits an increase in density of displayed shoes with a less than proportional corresponding increase in apparent density.

Alternatively the same density of displayed shoes may be provided with a decreased apparent density. This permits shoes to be provided with a more efficient utilization of display space. Additionally the resulting display arrangement may have increased eye appeal.

A shoe support, particularly one having a permanent ferromagnetic nature may be provided with a security tag, or more preferably means 4 for attaching a security device thereto. Such mean 4 may preferably be suitable for attaching any of a plurality of types of known security tags and may comprise a hole, loop or conduit for a security tag to be attached to. Such a hole, loop or conduit is preferably provided such that in order to enlarge or break open the hole loop or conduit it is necessary to distort a substantial thickness of the material.

Preferably the mean 4 is provided such that an attached security device being removed by activating a magnetic locking device therein may be so removed with minimal interference due to any magnetic field of the insert. Such provision may be by mean 4 of a loop of durable non- ferromagnetic and preferably non-metallic material extending from the insert.

A shoe stand for utilizing shoe supports to attach shoes thereto may be provided in many ways. Preferably the stand extends upward from a base position. The stand may substantially comprise vertical surfaces but may preferably comprise a pattern of surface orientations which may preferably be predominantly in two perpendicular orientations, which may be vertical and horizontal orientations or may preferably be a downward sloping orientation and an overhanging orientation. Most preferably the stand may have a chaotic array of polygonal surfaces, more preferably a curved and terrain-like surface and most preferably a boulder-like surface. A stand extending upward from a base position may preferably be adapted to accept shoes on either side of a surface.

A shoe stand may be of sheet material or preferably of bars or strips of metal which may be arranged to substantially form a surface or surfaces. The metal is preferably steel, and most preferably ferromagnetic stainless steel.

A shoe support is preferably of a permanent ferromagnetic nature and preferably is of a mixture of particles of activatable ferromagnetic alloy, most preferably neodymium held within a moulded polymer shape, preferably a substantially flat shape. In an alternative preferred embodiment a shoe support is a permanent ferromagnet, preferably of an iron alloy, most preferably neodymium. Alternative materials for such a magnet or indeed magnetic particles for a flexible polymer based support include any of Ferrite (Sr-Fe-O), Alnico (Al-Fe-Co-Ni), Neo (Neodymium Iron Boron Nd-Fe-B) and Samarium Cobalt (Sm-Co).

A shoe support may be manufactured by injection moulding of a mixture of ferromagnetic magnetisable particles and a rubber, plastic or silicone compound in liquid form. A security device attachment loop may also be included so as to be held partially therein after hardening of the insert. Alternatively a shoe support may be manufactured by extrusion moulding of the same mixture and cut into portions thereafter.

S Any combination of any of the features and embodiments hereinbefore and hereafter described may be combined to form a new embodiment. Additionally any such combination may form a single feature from which either one or at least one item thereof must be provided, which may be combined with any embodiment to form a new embodiment. A description of every possible permutation has not been attempted here for the sake of brevity.

According to any embodiment the supports may be in the form of coat hangers, may be in the shape of a hand, may be in the shape of a foot, or may be in the form of a relief image, such as of a foot. The supports may have a curved design, may have a stretched design, and may have a design with a fluid appearance.

According to any embodiment a wall stand 5 may be flat for permitting the addition thereon of any of posters, images and designs.

Such a flat surface may comprise a rear metal surface and a front surface which may be veneer such as oak veneer, may be paper or card, or may be plastic. Such a wall stand may or may not have a metal layer but may have structures 6 for coupling with matching structures, or may have slots therein. Such provisions 6 may be for permitting fixture of panels which may be rock-like panels, wood effect panels, or may be other protrusions, these panels or protrusions may comprise metal portions or surfaces which may be covered metal potions or surfaces.

Additionally such protrusions 6 or extension by other means may be provided to permit such a display to extend across a ceiling. A wall display may be composed of tiles having a display surface which may be attached to support means preferably by hook means 6 or by attachment to slot means. Such tiles may be combined to form a larger composite display surface.

The apparatus described may be for clothing articles, preferably footwear 1. It may be particularly for any combination of shoes, boots, climbing boots, slippers, sandals, walking sandals, trainers or sneakers, rubber or Wellington boots, gym shoes, boat shoes or children's shoes.

According to an embodiment magnetic may be provided as part of a display clothing item. An item of footwear I may be provided with a magnetic sole, alternatively a magnetic heel, or alternatively any part thereof.

The substantially ferromagnetic fixtures 2 may be of a permanent magnetic nature.

The substantially ferromagnetic fixtures 2 may be for displaying footwear 1.

The at least a metallic portion of the stand may be of steel.

The at least a metallic portion may comprise a plurality of metallic portions being arranged substantially to form a plurality of surfaces. "

The stand may be for holding each of said clothing articles between the at least a metallic portion of the stand and at least one respective substantially ferromagnetic fixture 2.

The clothing articles may be particularly any of shoes, boots, sandals and slippers.

The stand may be adapted to have a surface in the form of a terrain.

A permanently ferromagnetic portion of the substantially ferromagnetic fixture 2 may comprise a mixture of a polymer and a magnetically activated powder of a ferromagnetic compound.

A permanently ferromagnetic portion of the substantially ferromagnetic fixture 2 may be substantially planar or filamental.

The substantially ferromagnetic fixture 2 may comprise or have formed therein a mean 4 for accepting a security device.

The term ferromagnetic' is not limited to magnetic attraction based on iron, steel and iron alloys but includes magnetic attraction based on any or any combination of iron, nickel and cobalt.

The fixture 2 may be provided for use external to a clothing item such as an item of footwear, or may be provided for use inside an item of clothing such as an item of footwear, or may be provided for incorporation into an item of clothing such as the heel or sole of an item of footwear. Alternatively the fixture may be provided for use in any combination of the aforementioned possibilities.

The fixture 2 may be provided with retaining means 3 which in the case of an internal fixture are preferably provided as a flexible property of the fixture, and in the case of an external fixture are preferably provided as substantially sprung retaining means, or as gripping means, or as elasticised retaining means.

Where the term footwear' is used, it may preferably be limited to outdoor footwear'.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments.

An embodiment of this invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. This invention is for use as a shoe display apparatus. Figure 2 shows a shoe stand according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The shoe stand is composed of bars or sheets I of steel arranged to form a surface having multiple shoe display areas 2.

Figure 3 shows a shoe support 3 within a shoe 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The shoe support 3 shown is substantially planar and comprises a mixture of a polymer and permanent magnet powder. The shoe support is significantly flexible and is non- brittle.

Figure 4 shows another shoe support 5, being substantially filamental is shown in a flexed position within a shoe 4 and the curve made by the shoe support is substantially in a plane.

-- - -r'""'' The shoe support shown is manufactured from a polymer such as an artificial rubber mixed with activatable magnetic powder. The particles of magnetic powder are magnetically neutral when mixed with the polymer so as not to induce clumping. After the polymer has set the support is subjected to a magnetic field sufficient to induce permanent magnetism in the particles. Thereafter the support induces it's own

magnetic field.

The apparatus and methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the apparatus and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations may be applied to the apparatus, methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A stand for displaying clothing articles comprising at least a metallic portion, wherein: the stand is for supporting each of said clothing articles by means of ferromagnetic attraction between the at least a metallic portion of the stand and at least one respective substantially ferromagnetic fixture (2) provided for each respective clothing item.

2. A stand according to claim I wherein the substantially ferromagnetic fixtures (2) are of a permanent magnetic nature.

3. A stand according to claim I or 2 for displaying footwear (1).

4. A stand according to any preceding claim, said at least a metallic portion being of steel.

5. A stand according to any preceding claim, said at least a metallic portion comprising a plurality of metallic portions being arranged substantially to form a plurality of surfaces.

6. A stand according to any preceding claim, being for holding each of said clothing articles between the at least a metallic portion of the stand and at least one respective substantially ferromagnetic fixture (2).

7. A stand according to claim 6, said footwear (I) being any of shoes, boots, sandals and slippers.

8. A stand according to any preceding claim being adapted to have a surface in the form of a terrain.

9. A substantially ferromagnetic fixture (2) for holding a clothing article to the stand of any preceding claim, comprising at least a permanently ferromagnetic portion comprising a permanent ferromag net.

10. A substantially ferromagnetic fixture (2) for holding a clothing article to the stand of any one of claims 1 to 8 comprising at least a permanently ferromagnetic portion comprising a mixture of a polymer and a magnetically activated powder of a ferromagnetic compound.

11. A fixture (2) being substantially ferromagnetic for holding a clothing article to a metallic support by means of a ferromagnetic attraction between the fixture (2) and the metallic support.

12. A substantially ferromagnetic fixture (2) of claim 9, 10 or 11, the at least a permanently ferromagnetic portion being substantially planar or filamental.

13. A substantially ferromagnetic fixture (2) of claim 9, 10, 11 or 12, comprising or having formed therein a means (4) for accepting a security device.

14. The method of displaying clothing articles on the stand of any one of claims I to 8 using the substantially ferromagnetic fixture (2) of any one of claims 9 to 13.

15. The method of claim 14 for displaying footwear (1).

16. The method of claim 15 for displaying any of shoes, boots, sandals and slippers.

17. A method of displaying a plurality of items of footwear on a stand having the steps of providing a metallic display stand, providing a plurality of fixtures for the plurality of items of footwear, the fixtures and metallic stand having a ferromagnetic attraction therebetween, and placing the items of footwear provided with the fixtures against or proximal to the metallic stand.

18. An item of footwear (1) comprising a fixture (2) of any one of claims 9 to 13.

19. A display comprising a stand of any one of claims I to 8 supporting footwear (1) provided with or comprising the fixture (2) of any one of claims 9 to 13.

20. A clothing article display for use with magnetically attracted fixtures (2) as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 2 to 6.

21. A fixture (2) for holding clothing articles to a stand by magnetic attraction as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 2to6.