IE84252B1 - A display system - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A free-standing display system (1) according to the invention comprises a front panel member (2) for supporting one or more display shelves (3), two side panels (5), against which the front panel (2) is leanable to support the front panel (2) in a display configuration, and a rear support frame (6). Each side panel (5) comprises a front engagement member (1 1) and a rear engagement member (12). In the display configuration, a lateral side (14) of the front panel (2) leans against the front engagement member (1 1) to support the front panel (2), and the rear engagement member (12) engages against the rear support frame (6). A base (8) of the support frame (6) comprises a channel—shaped engagement member (9) at a front end of the base (8). The bottom side (10) of the front panel (2) may be received in the channel (9), when the front panel (2) is in the display configuration. By abutting the bottom side (10) against the channel (9), this arrangement supports the front panel (2) in the display configuration, and in particular prevents the front panel (2) from slipping forwards. [Fig.1]

Description

“A DISPLAY SYSTEM" Introduction This invention relates to a display system. In particular it relates to a freestanding display system suitable for supporting one or more display shelves.

Known display systems typically comprise a base, a rear panel, two side panels, and a front panel, with the front panel being used to support a series of display shelves.

To ensure that the display system is sufficiently stable in use, it is necessary to fixedly attach the rear panel, the two side panels and the front panel to the base, for example using bolts. It is also necessary to fixedly attach the two side panels to the rear panel and to the front panel. In the case where there are many display shelves supported by the front panel, or where the items displayed on the shelves are relatively heavy, it is frequently necessary to fixedly attach the panels/ base together at multiple locations between the panels / base. It can therefore be a highly labour- intensive and time-consuming operation to assemble / dis-assemble such a display system.

This invention is therefore aimed at overcoming the disadvantages associated with known display systems.

Statements oflnvention According to the invention there is provided a display system comprising: a first member suitable for supporting one or more display shelves; and a second member against which the first member is leanable to support the first member in a display configuration.

Because the first member is arranged to lean against the second member in the display configuration, this arrangement uses the weight of the first member to maintain the first member stable in this display configuration. Thus fixedly attaching the first member to the second member, for example using bolts, is unnecessary. The display system of the invention can therefore be assembled / dis-assembled quickly, and skilled operators are not required to carry out the simple assembly / dis—assembly procedure.

Even in the case where there are many display shelves supported by the first member, or where heavy items are displayed on the shelves, the weight of the first member will maintain the first member stable in the display configuration. lndeed, increasing the number of display shelves, or the weight of the items displayed may act to increase the stability of the display system of the invention.

In one embodiment of the invention the first member is detached from the second member.

In one case the second member comprises at least one first engagement member against which a first region of the first member is leanable to support the first member in the display configuration. Preferably a lateral side of the first region of the first member is leanable against the at least one first engagement member.

Ideally the at least one first engagement member is mounted to a part of the second member. Most preferably the at least one first engagement member is fixedly attached to the part of the second member.

The second member may comprise a second engagement member against which a second region of the first member is abuttable to support the first member in the display configuration. Preferably the second engagement member comprises a channel for receiving the second region of the first member. ldeally the second region of the first member comprises a bottom side of the first member.

The second engagement member prevents the bottom side of the first member from slipping forwards, when the first member is leaning against the second member in the display configuration. ln a preferred embodiment the second member comprises at least one side member and a rear member. Ideally at least part of the side member is locatable between the leaning first member in the display configuration and the rear member to retain the side member in position. In the display configuration, the first member may be leanable against at least part of the side member. In the display configuration, the side member may be engageable against the rear member. Most preferably the side member is detached from the rear member. The side member may comprise a side paneL By “sandwiching” the side member between the leaning first member and the rear member, the weight of the first member ensures that the side member is held stable in position. It is therefore not necessary to attach the side member to the rear member. This ensures that the display system can be quickly and easily assembled / dis-assembled.

In one case the side member comprises at least one third engagement member for engaging against the rear member. Preferably the at least one third engagement member is engagable against a lateral side of the rear member. Ideally the third engagement member is spaced forwardly of a rear edge of the side member. Thus the side member overlaps the rear member. This creates an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the display system. Most preferably the at least one third engagement member is mounted to the side member. The at least one third engagement member may be fixedly attached to the side member.

In another embodiment the rear member comprises a support frame. Preferably the support frame comprises a substantially vertical back and a substantially horizontal base.

The system may comprise means to guide positioning of the second member on a pedestal pan. Preferably the guiding means comprises a protrusion on the side member for overlapping a side of the pedestal part.

The guide means enables the display system to be quickly and simply positioned in a desired manner on the pedestal part.

In another preferred embodiment the system comprises means to connect one or more display shelves to the first member. Ideally the connecting means comprises one or more openings in the first member into which one or more co-operating elements may be received to support one or more display shelves.

The first member may comprise a panel.

In one case the invention provides a free-standing display system.

The invention also provides an assembly of two or more display systems of the invention.

Because the first engagement member and/or the third engagement member can be mounted / dc-mounted from the side panel, this ensures that the display system can be dis-assembled to a compact, “flat-pack” state.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of assembling a display system, the method comprising the steps of: - providing a first member suitable for supporting one or more display shelves; providing a second member; leaning the first member against the second member to support the first member in a display configuration.

In one embodiment of the invention a lateral side of the first member is leaned against the second member.

The method may comprise the step of mounting at least one first engagement member to the second member. ln one case the method comprises the step of abutting the first member against a second engagement member to support the first member in the display configuration. ln a preferred embodiment the method comprises the steps of:- locating at least part of a side member of the second member between the first member and a rear member ofthe second member; and leaning the first member against the side member to engage the side member against the rear member and thereby retain the side member in position.

Preferably the side member engages a lateral side of the rear member.

In another embodiment the method comprises the step of connecting one or more shelves to the first member.

The method may comprise the step of positioning the second member on a pedestal. ln one case the invention provides a method of assembling a freestanding display system.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Fig. l is an exploded perspective view from the rear of a display system according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view from the front of an assembly of two of the display systems of Fig. 1.

Detailed Description Referring to the drawings, and initially to Fig. l thereof, there is illustrated a free- standing display system I according to the invention.

The display system I comprises a front panel member 2 suitable for supporting one or more display shelves 3, and a secondimember against which the front panel 2 is leanable to support the front panel 2 in a display configuration.

The second member is provided, in this case, in the form oftwo side panels 5 and a rear support frame 6. The support frame 6 is substantially “L"-shaped, and comprises a substantially vertical back 7 and a substantially horizontal base 8.

Each side panel 5 comprises a front engagement member 1] and a rear engagement member 12. In this case, both the front engagement member ll and the rear engagement member l2 are provided in the form of an “L”-shaped flange. In the display configuration, a lateral side l4 of the front panel 2 leans against the front engagement member 1] to support the front panel 2. and the rear engagement member 12 engages against the back 7 of the support frame 6.

Both of the engagement members I 1, 12 are mounted to each side panel 5 by fixedly attaching the engagement members 11, 12 to each side panel 5, for example using bolts.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the rear engagement member 12 is spaced forwardly ofa rear edge l3 of the side panel 5. Thus when the rear engagement member 12 engages against the back 7 of the support frame 6, part of the side panel 5 overlaps the support frame 6 to at least partially cover the support frame 6, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

This arrangement provides for an aesthetically pleasing display system 1.

The base 8 of the support frame 6 comprises a channel-shaped engagement member 9 at a front end of the base 8. The bottom side I0 of the front panel 2 may be received in the channel 9, when the front panel 2 is in the display configuration. By abutting the bottom side 10 against the channel 9, this arrangement supports the front panel 2 in the display configuration, and in particular prevents the front panel 2 from slipping forwards.

As illustrated in the exploded view of Fig. I, the front panel 2 remains detached from the side panels 5 and from the support frame 6, and the side panels 5 remain detached from the support frame 6. The front panel 3 is supported in the display configuration by leaning back against the front engagement member I l, and by the bottom side 10 abutting against the channel 9. In this manner, the weight ofthe front panel 2 maintains the front panel 2 stable in this display configuration. The side panels 5 are supported vertically by the front panel 2 engaging against the front engagement member ll which causes the rear engagement member 12 to press against the back 7 of the support frame 6. In this manner, each side panel 5 is “sandwiched” between the backwardly leaning front panel 2 and the support frame 6.

Thus the weight ofthe front panel 2 retains the side panels 5 in the vertical position.

The display system I may be positioned, in use, on a pedestal part 15. Each side panel 5 comprises a downwardly protruding lip 16 for overlapping a side of the pedestal l5 to guide positioning of the side panel 5 on the pedestal 15.

The front panel 2 comprises a plurality of slotted openings 4 positioned along the front panel 2. A co-operating element ofa display shelf3 may be received in one of the openings 4. In this manner, each display shelf 3 may be connected to the front panel 2 to enable the front panel 2 to support the display shelves 3.

It will be appreciated that the one or more display shelves 3 may be connected to the front panel 2 in a variety of different manners.

Before assembling the display system l, one front engagement member I l and one rear engagement member 12 are fixedly attached to each side panel 5, for example using bolts.

To assemble the display system 1, the bottom side I0 of the front panel 2 is received in the channel 9 of the support frame 6. The two side panels 5 are then positioned vertically with the rear engagement members 12 engaging against the back 7 of the support frame 6. Next the front panel 2 is leaned back until the lateral sides l4 engage against the front engagement members I l in a leaning arrangement.

The front panel 2 is then supported in the desired display configuration by means of the lateral sides l4 leaning back against the front engagement members ll and the bottom side I0 abutting the channel 9. The side panels 5 are maintained in the vertical position by means ofthe weight ofthe leaning front panel 2 pressing the side panels 5 back to engage against the support frame 6. Thus it is not necessary for the front panel 2, the side panels 5 or the support frame 6 to be fixedly attached to each other to ensure a stable display system.

The assembled display system 1 may be positioned on the pedestal 15 with the lips l6 ofthe side panels 5 overlapping the sides of the pedestal 15 to guide positioning of the side panels 5 relative to the pedestal 15.

The display shelves 3 may then be connected to the front panel 2 in any suitable manner.

Clearly the display system I of the invention can be assembled /dis-assembled in a fast, simple manner. It is not necessary for skilled operators to be employed to fixedly attach the components of the display system 1 to one another.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, two or more ofthe display systems l of the invention may be simply and quickly assembled side-by-side to extend the effective display width. In the case ofthe two display systems I of Fig. 2, each system l includes only one side panel 5.

The invention has been described above in relation to a free-standing display system which is not supported by or connected to an external supporting structure. However in another embodiment of the invention, the display system may be provided to be non free-standing. In this case, the display system may be attached/connected to, for example, a central divider configured to run along a centre ofan aisle in a shop.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims (1)

1. A display system comprising: a first member suitable for supporting one or more display shelves: and a second member against which the first member is leanable to support the first member in a display configuration; the second member comprising at least one side member and a rear member; in the display configuration, the at least one side member being detached from the rear member, with at least part of the at least one side member being located between the leaning first member and the rear member to retain the at least one side member in position. A system as claimed in claim I wherein the first member is detached from the second member. A system as claimed in claim I or 2 wherein the second member comprises at least one first engagement member against which a first region of the first member is leanable to support the first member in the display configuration. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein a lateral side ofthe first region of the first member is leanable against the at least one first engagement member. A system as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the at least one first engagement member is mounted to a part of the second member. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the at least one first engagement member is fixedly attached to the part of the second member. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the second member comprises a second engagement member against which a second region of the first member is abuttable to support the first member in the display configuration. A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the second engagement member comprises a channel for receiving the second region of the first member. A system as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein the second region of the first member comprises a bottom side of the first member. A system as claimed in any of claims I to 9 wherein in the display configuration, the first member is Ieanable against at least part of the side member. A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein in the display configuration, the side member is engageable against the rear member. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 wherein the side member comprises a side panel. A system as claimed in any of claims I to 12 wherein the side member comprises at least one third engagement member for engaging against the rear member. A system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the at least one third engagement member is engagable against a lateral side ofthe rear member. A system as claimed in claim 13 or I4 wherein the third engagement member is spaced forwardly of a rear edge of the side member. A system as claimed in any of claims l3 to 15 wherein the at least one third engagement member is mounted to the side member. A system as claimed in claim l6 wherein the at least one third engagement member is fixedly attached to the side member. A system as claimed in any of claims I to 17 wherein the rear member comprises a support frame. A system as claimed in claim I8 wherein the support frame comprises a substantially vertical back and a substantially horizontal base. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19 wherein the system comprises means to guide positioning of the second member on a pedestal part. A system as claimed in claim 20 wherein the guiding means comprises a protrusion on the side member for overlapping a side of the pedestal part. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 2] wherein the system comprises means to connect one or more display shelves to the first member. A system as claimed in claim 22 wherein the connecting means comprises one or more openings in the first member into which one or more co- operating elements may be received to support one or more display shelves. 28. A system as claimed in any of claims I to 23 wherein the first member comprises a panel. A tree-standing display system as claimed in any ofclaims l to 24. A display system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. An assembly oftwo or more display systems as claimed in any of claims 1 to 26. A method of assembling a display system, the method comprising the steps of: - providing a first member suitable for supporting one or more display shelves; providing a second member; the second member comprising a side member and a rear member; the side member being detached from the rear member; locating at least part of the side member of the second member between the first member and the rear member of the second member; and leaning the first member against the side member to engage the side member against the rear member, and thereby support the first member in a display configuration and retain the side member in position: in the display configuration, the side member remaining detached from the rear member. A method as claimed in claim 28 wherein a lateral side ofthe first member is leaned against the second member. A method as claimed in claim 28 or 29 wherein the method comprises the step of mounting at least one first engagement member to the second member. A method as claimed in any ofclaims 28 to 30 wherein the method comprises the step of abutting the first member against a second engagement member to support the first member in the display configuration. A method as claimed in any of claims 28 to 31 wherein the side member engages a lateral side of the rear member. A method as claimed in any of claims 28 to 32 wherein the method comprises the step of connecting one or more shelves to the first member. A method as claimed in any of claims 28 to 33 wherein the method comprises the step of positioning the second member on a pedestal. A method of assembling a free-standing display system as claimed in any of claims 28 to 34. I6 36. A method of assembling a display system substantially as hereinbefbre described with reference to the accompanying drawings. M1252