IES940255A2 - Counter display/storage system - Google Patents

Abstract

k display unit^is provided comprising a base member having a support means^for articles to be displayed mounted thereon; the support means being inclined forwardly and downwardly at an angle of from approximately 5° to 25° relative to the horizontal plane.

Description

This invention relates to a counter display/storage system. Zn particular, it relates to a system for the display and storage of articles, especially newspapers, at a shop counter.

According to the present invention there is provided a display unit comprising a base member having a support means for articles to be displayed mounted thereon; the support means being inclined forwardly and downwardly at an angle of from approximately 5° to 25° relative to the horizontal plane.

The base member is preferably a frame comprising two spaced apart substantially L-shaped legs connected to respective substantially parallel L-shaped arms, each arm being inclined forwardly and downwardly at an angle of from approximately 5° to 25°, preferably 10° to 15°, and most preferably about 12°, relative to the horizontal plane; and a retaining member extending between the two arms and connected thereto.

The support means for the articles to be displayed is preferably a shelf which may be formed from any suitable material, timber melamine being particularly preferred.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display unit according to the invention; 8940255 - 2 Figure 2 is an enlarged side view of the display unit of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a display/storage system according to the invention.

The display/storage system shown in the accompanying drawings includes a display unit 1 comprising a support frame 10 having a shelf 20 mounted thereon. The frame 10, which is preferably formed from metal, comprises two spaced apart substantially L-shaped legs 11, each comprising a substantially horizontal stem 12 connected to a substantially vertical stem 13; a substantially horizontal bar 14 extending between the horizontal steins 12 of the legs 11 from approximately the mid-points thereof; two substantially parallel L-shaped arms 15, each extending from the vertical stem 13 of each leg 11 in the direction of the horizontal stem 12 thereof, each arm 15 being inclined forwardly and downwardly at an angle which is preferably approximately 12° relative to the horizontal plane; and a rigid, substantially rectangular retaining member 16 having a lip 17 extending downwardly and outwardly therefrom extending between the two arms 15 and connected to the outer ends thereof. The lip 17 is preferably integral with the retaining member 16 which is preferably formed from creased aluminium.

The shelf 20, which is preferably formed from timber melamine, is mounted on the arms 15 and is secured thereto by means of screws 18. The shelf 20 is mounted in such manner that a small space is left between it and the retaining member 16, thereby forming a channel 19. An advertising strip 30 may be riveted to the lip 17.

S 9 4 0 25 5 - 3 The strip 30 is preferably formed from a plastics material, the preferred material being extruded polystyrene.

Holders 40 having a removable T-shaped base 41 are provided on the shelf 20 for holding newspapers. Each holder 40 has a configuration which can accommodate the T-shaped base 41, as shown in Figure 3. The front surface of the holder 40 has an axially extending projection 42 which lies in the channel 19 and may be moved therealong to a desired position. Each holder 40 may be fixed at the desired position to the retaining member 16, which has pre-drilled holes therein, by means of screws 18. The rear edge of the removable base 41 (i.e. the cross-bar of the T) has a depth which is preferably at least twice that of the opposing front edge (i.e. the T-stem), so that the newspapers present in the holders 40 will be displayed at an angle, the titles of the newspapers being raised and therefore easily identified.

It is envisaged that newspaper advertisements will be printed on the top surface of the base 41 along the sides and front edge thereof, as indicated by T (for tabloid) and B (for broadsheet) in Figure 3. In use, a tabloid in portrait position will be disposed on the base 41 covering the central vertical portion thereof and the advertisements along the sides will be visible. Alternatively, a broadsheet in landscape position will cover the lateral advertisements and the advertisement on the front edge will be visible.

Additional U-shaped holders 50 having flanged sides may also be provided on the shelf 20 for holding tabloid newspapers. Each holder 50 has an axially extending projection 51 on the front surface thereof, s940255 - 4 which is in frictional engagement with the channel 19 in use. As in the case of the holders 40, the holders 50 may be fixed by means of screws to the retaining member 16. The holders 40 and 50 are preferably formed from a plastics material, clear acrylic being particularly preferred. The removable bases 41 are also preferably formed from a plastics material, vacuum formed polystyrene being particularly preferred.

The display system according to the invention is designed to stand at a shop counter 60 in juxtaposition with the front face 61 thereof. The front face 61 is preferably substantially flat and rectangular so as to accommodate the display unit 1.

Two tiers of storage baskets 70, preferably made of metal, are provided below the shelf 20. The lower tier of baskets is supported on the horizontal stems 12 of the L-shaped legs 11 and on the horizontal bar 14. The upper tier of baskets 70 is supported on hooks 71 provided on the stems 13 of the legs 11. The upper tier of baskets has a base 72 which inclines forwardly and downwardly at an angle of about 10° to 15°, preferably about 12°. It is envisaged that newspapers will be stored/displayed in the upper tier of baskets. Movable dividers 73 are provided in both tiers to separate the newspapers in the upper tier and foodstuffs, such as crisps, in the lower tier.

The support frames 10 may come in any length, but are generally made in modules of approximately 60cm (2 feet), 120cm (4 feet) or 180cm (6 feet). Depending on the length of the counter 60, a number of display/storage units may be placed side by side against the front face 61 thereof.

S 9 4 0 25 5 Substantially flat end panels 80 having a substantially D-shaped profile may be fixed to the counter 60 forming an extension of the sides 62 thereof. The end panels 80 are made from any suitable material, timber melamine being particularly preferred.

It will be appreciated that the baskets 70 may alternatively be mounted on a plinth (not shown) disposed at the counter face 61, the plinth being of a suitable height such that the upper tier of baskets 70 containing newspapers will be at the same level as the newspapers on the shelf 20.

The invention thus provides a display/storage system for use at a shop counter which provides for the managed display and storage of newspapers in particular and foodstuffs such as crisps. Because of the inclination of the display shelf 20 and the basket base 72, newspapers on display can be readily identified. Furthermore, the holders 40 serve to keep newspapers in an orderly array and highlight key titles.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, which may be modified or varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A display unit comprising a base member having a support means for articles to be displayed mounted thereon; the support means being inclined forwardly and downwardly at an angle of from approximately 5° to 25° relative to the horizontal plane.

2. A display unit according to claim 1, wherein the support means is a shelf, the articles to be displayed are newspapers and the base member is a frame comprising two spaced apart substantially L-shaped legs connected to respective substantially parallel L-shaped arms, each arm being inclined forwardly and downwardly at an angle of from approximately 10° to 15°, preferably about 12°, relative to the horizontal plane; and a retaining member extending between the two arms and connected thereto.

3. A display unit according to claim 2, comprising one or more first holders for the newspapers, the or each holder having a substantially T-shaped base which is preferably removable and can accommodate tabloids and broadsheets, the rear edge thereof having a depth which is at least twice that of the opposing front edge thereof; and/or one or more second substantially U-shaped holders, for tabloids, having flanged sides; and the unit further comprising a plurality of tiers of baskets disposed below the shelf, the upper tier of baskets having a base which is inclined forwardly and downwardly at an angle of from approximately 10° to 15°, preferably about 12°, relative to the - 7 horizontal plane, and the baskets having movable dividers for separating the newspapers.

4. A display unit according to claim 1, wherein the base member is a substantially rectangular plinth, 5 the articles to be displayed are newspapers and the support means comprises one or more baskets, each having a base which is inclined forwardly and downwardly at an angle of from approximately 10° to 15°, preferably about 12°, relative to the 10 horizontal plane, the basket(s) having movable dividers for separating the newspapers.

5. A display unit, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.