MXPA99006633A - Modular display system - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular display system (10) includes at least two spaced apart, parallel, vertically oriented upright supports (12), each having an upper end and a lower end, and at least two spaced apart, parallel, horizontally oriented spanning supports (14) extending between and connecting the upright supports and forming a frame. The upright supports (12) and the spanning supports (14) defining a plane. At least one of the upright supports and the spanning supports defines a plurality of spaced apart, corresponding openings (26) formed therein lying in the plane. A partition member (28) is positioned in the frame, within the plane, between the upright supports (12) and the spanning supports (14). The partition member (28) can include an interchangeable panel element for changing the color and display media and the like. The partition member (28) has a mounting portion including a plurality of projecting elements (36) extending therefrom for engaging the openings in one of the upright supports and the spanning supports. The partition member (28) is positioned between the supports having at least a portion of the projecting elements (36) exposed. At least one attachment element (54) is mountable on the display system, attached to the exposed projection portions, and is mountable so as to span the partition member.

Description

MODULAR EXHIBIT SYSTEM DESCRIPTION Background and field of the invention This invention relates to a modular display system. More particularly, the invention relates to a modular display system that includes separations with easily recessed shelves, hangers, boards and display stands and the like. The exhibition systems are well known in the middle. Such systems can be used, for example, for the display of retail sales of various types of articles. Consumers will recognize such systems which can include shelves to display merchandise, hanging supports from which items and display boards can be displayed for display of merchandise and for advertising materials. Such display systems can also be used for office arrangements, and may include writing surfaces, shelving and the like. A known type of display or separation system includes a pair of column or standard posts between which a gap is mounted. An element similar to a plate is placed and mounted between the spacing and each post. The plate element is mounted between the post and the separation by means of fasteners similar to screws. The plate-like element includes a plurality of pairs of square projections extending therefrom. Can be mounted to the separation, shelf brackets that have hanging brackets that look down by embedding the hanging brackets with square projections. In another known type of shelf support structure, a pair of elongate metal sheets are placed in parallel, spaced apart from each other. The sheets are connected by means of two metal rods that are bent in a serpentine manner to form a series of square wave configurations that extend along the length of the sheets. Shelving support brackets can be inserted between the metal sheets and can be recessed with the rods bent. Further display systems are known which utilize a nacelle-like base unit (e.g., widened base unit) and a column support structure. The display can be erected adjacent to a similar display, and can include lugs that extend between the display units. Shelves can be hung from side to side of the display units from the handles that extend between them. Even when known display systems can work well to display merchandise, they suffer from several drawbacks. First, such known systems are generally not flexible. That is, they can be erected only in a limited number of configurations and some type of intermediate interconnection member may be required. Further, considering that the parts of such known systems can carry a particular color scheme or environment, for example, as part of a partition wall, due to the manner in which such known display systems are manufactured, the colorful scheme is permanent and it can not be changed. There has also been a tendency to use such display systems in temporary settings, such as art and craft shows, and in remote kiosks, such as those often seen without a pedestal in shopping malls. The use of such display systems in temporary and remote locations requires that the systems be flexible, ie, manageable in a wide variety of configurations, and easily assembled and demountable. The known display systems do not allow an easy and flexible lifting and assembly with an aesthetic appearance. Therefore, there remains a need for a flexible and easily assembled display system that allows a wide variety of display configurations in combination with rapid assembly and disassembly. Preferably, such a display system also allows for the luxury of an aesthetic appearance by providing interchangeable color schemes and other visually appealing effects and incidents. A modular display system that provides ease of use is offered, assembly and disassembly. The display system includes at least two column supports oriented vertically, parallel and spaced apart, each having an upper end and a lower end and at least two horizontally parallel and spaced cross braces extending between and connecting the supports of column, forming a frame. The column supports and the cross-type supports define a plane. At least one of the column supports and the cross-member supports define a plurality of corresponding corresponding openings formed therein resting in the plane. The display system includes a separation member positioned within the frame, in the plane defined by, and between, the column supports and the cross-type supports. The separating member has a mounting part that includes a plurality of projecting elements extending therefrom for embedding in the openings in one of the column supports and the cross-type supports. The separation member is placed between the supports that have exposed at least a part of the connecting elements. The merchandiser includes at least one connection element that can be mounted to the merchandiser, attached to the exposed projection portions. When mounted to the display system, the connection element is mounted so as to encompass the separation member. The connection elements include, for example, shelves, hanging supports and boards. In a preferred embodiment, the display includes a plurality of spacing member configurations such as a screen-like separation or open screen, and a wall or similar member having a solid central portion. The separation member is mounted to the frame so that it rests in the plane defined by the supports. In a more preferred configuration, the partition member similar to a wall of the display system includes a removable panel which allows the exchange of such panels to, for example, change the colorful scheme of the display system. A plurality of spacing members can be placed between a single pair of column supports. When configured in this manner, the projections extending from the upper and lower parts of the gap are placed in and flush with the openings in the upper and lower horizontal cross braces. The projections extending from the sides of the gap may include an end termination element that allows the use of the projections for mounting connecting elements there, and prevents the sliding of the connecting elements therein. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

Brief description of the figures Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modular display system including the principles of the present invention and illustrates a separation member with a pair of shelving connections, a hanging connection and a support table connection mounted therein, and it is illustrated with other separation members connected there. Figure 2 is a front and partial perspective view of the display system of Figure 1, illustrating the mounting arrangement for mounting the separation members to a column support post, and showing rack connection members and hanging support mounted there. Figure 3 is a partial rear perspective view of the arrangement of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the display system illustrating a rigid mesh separation member mounted to the column support post. Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the display system and shows the separation members and projections having integral elements of termination therewith. Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the many configurations of the display system, illustrated with mesh members, and a separation member having several display connections mounted therein. Figure 7 is a partial exploded view of a wall-like separating member of the present display system, shown with the replaceable panel element partially offset. Figure 8 illustrates that an exemplary compression clamp used to connect the supports to each other.

Description of preferred modalities While the present invention is susceptible to having various embodiments, it is shown in the drawings and will be described hereinafter, a currently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present description should be considered as an example of the invention and is not intended to be limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. Referring now to the figures and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, there are shown two different configurations of display systems 10 which include the principles of the present invention. The display system 10 is configured to be easily assembled and disassembled, and to allow maximum flexibility in design and configuration. System 10 includes a plurality of vertically oriented column supports 12, such as exemplary support posts, and a plurality of horizontally oriented cross braces 14. In a basic form, the system 10 includes a rectangular frame 16 having a pair of column supports 12 and a pair of cross-member supports 14. The column supports 12 are parallel to each other and the horizontal supports 14 are parallel to each other. When assembled, the supports 12, 14 define a plane P. The supports 12, 14 are connected to their adjacent supports 12, 14 by means of a clamp of the compression or adjustment type 18, such as the exemplary clamp illustrated in the figure 8. The compression clamp 18 used is relatively simple and easy to use construction. Preferably, the clamp 18 used includes separate ends 20, 22 adapted to receive two or more supports 12, 14, and a single screw 24 for tightening the clamp 18. The single screw arrangement 24 allows a quick assembly and disassembly of the system frame 16. The supports 12, 14 illustrated have a circular cross-section. However, it is anticipated that other members having other transverse shapes, e.g., square tubes, may also be used in relation to the display system frame 16. The supports 12, 14 include a plurality of openings 26 therein. Preferably, the openings 26 also separate from one another along a common longitudinal line L that crosses the support. In a preferred embodiment, the openings 26 are separated approximately 3 inches apart. The openings 26 in the supports 12, 14 correspond with similar openings 26 in the opposite support 12, 14. That is, the corresponding openings 26 in opposite column supports 12 fall in a horizontal plane which is parallel to the horizontal supports 14. the same way, corresponding openings in opposite horizontal supports 14 fall in a vertical plane which is parallel to the column supports 12. The display system 10 includes a separation member 28 mounted to the brackets 12, 14, central of the frame 16. The spacing member 28 may include a wall 30 or similar member having a solid central portion 32. Alternatively, the spacing member 28 may include a screen or open mesh-like member 34. The spacing member 28 rests on the defined plane P by supports 12, 14 and includes a plurality of projecting elements 36 extending therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, the projections 36 are cylindrical pins or spike-like members that extend transversely from the gap 28. The projecting elements 36 are configured to insert and embed in the openings 26 in the supports 12, 14. As illustrated in FIG. Figure 4, the mesh-like separation member 34 can be formed from a series of connected rods 38, the ends 40 of which the projecting elements 36 can form. As illustrated in Figure 7, the separation member 30 is similar a wall may include a peripheral frame 42 having the projecting elements 36 extending therefrom transversely. In a preferred embodiment, the wall 30 includes an inner center portion 44, such as a wooden frame, a peripheral frame 42 formed of, for example, aluminum, and a panel member 46. The panel member 46 can be formed from a relatively thin and rigid material, such as Formica® or a similar laminate. Preferably, the peripheral frame 42 can be completely or partially removed from the partition member similar to a wall 30, and the panel member 46 can be replaced with another panel-like element 46. The peripheral frame 42 can be attached to the center 44 exemplarily by means of of fasteners, such as threaded screws 48. The replaceable panel member arrangement 46 greatly increases the flexibility of the display system 10 by facilitating the exchange of panel members 46. Panel members 46 can be interchanged with panel-like elements 46 for , for example, changing the color scheme of the display system 10, or to add or remove advertisements and display stands and the like. Advantageously, the present interchangeable panel configuration 46 allows a fairly large range of uses for system 10, with respect to known display arrangements. It will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that the replaceable central panel element arrangement allows for a wide variety of functions and uses not previously known, which fall within the scope of the present invention. The separation member 28 can be formed by having an end termination element 50 therein, as illustrated in Figure 5. The end termination member 50 extends along one side of the partition 28, transverse to and connecting the projecting elements 36. The end termination element 50 may be formed as a strip or bar, as illustrated, or in a variety of other shapes and configurations. When the separation member 28 is placed within the support frame 16, at least a portion of the projecting elements 36 is exposed, as indicated by the arrow at 52. For example, as illustrated in Figure 2, when a wall-like member 30 is placed in the support frame 16, the peripheral frame member 42 is positioned such that it does not touch the adjacent support member 14, but preferably separate from it. This configuration allows access to the projections 36 from both the front and from the rear of the display frame 16. The display system 10 also includes a connecting element 54. The connecting elements 54 may include one or more of the shelves exemplary 56, suspension brackets 58 and support board 60. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the connecting elements 54 each include a pair of mounting members 62 that are each configured to be embedded to the projections 36 one on the other. any side of an associated separation member 28. For example, when a shelf 56 is connected to the display system 10 on a partition similar to a wall 30, the mounting members 62 embed the projections 36 which are exposed on either side of the separation 30. In this way, the connection, in the present example the shelf 56, is firmly embedded with and mounted to the support frame 16 and the separation member 30. to the projections 36. As shown in the figures, the mounting members 62 can be formed to have one or more hook-like elements 64. The mounting member 62 of the shelf 56 includes a first angled, upper inclined groove similar to a hook 64a extending posteriorly and upward from a front face 66 of the mounting member 62, and a second lower groove 64b extending forwardly from a rear face 68 of the mounting member 62. The upper and lower grooves 64a, 64b are recessed with corresponding upper and lower projections 36a, 36b at the desired height of the shelf 56. Alternatively, a hanger bracket 58 may be mounted to the merchandiser 10. Because the hanger bracket 58 may be subject to a lower weight support load and a lower static moment due to the smaller cantiliber effect, the hanging bracket 58 may include a single slot extending upwardly 64c in each mounting member 62, whose slot embeds a single projection 36c on each side of the partition 28. A reinforcing portion 70 of the mounting member 62 is configured to encounter a lower projection 36d to stabilize the suspension bracket 58. Knowledgeable persons Means in the art will readily recognize the use of other configurations of mounting members 62. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 6, a plurality of spacing members 28 may be placed between a single pair of column supports 12, without column supports. intermediate To effect the placement of the spacing member 28 within the frame 16, the projections 36 extending from the upper part of the spacing 28 are placed in the openings 26 in the upper, horizontally oriented bracket 14 and the projections 36 that are placed in the frame. extending from the lower part of the partition 28 are placed in the openings 26 in the horizontally oriented lower cross-member support 14. Embedding of the projections 36 in the upper and lower cross-type supports 14 keeps the separation 28 in place and stabilizes the spacing 28 within the frame 16. When the merchandiser 10 is used in this manner, the spacing members 28 having end termination elements 50 can be used to provide a configuration for mounting connecting elements 54, such as shelves 56, supports pendants 58 and the like, of the display system 10. The end termination elements 50 allow the mon cutting the connections 54 to them and preventing inadvertent sliding of the connections 54 of the projections 36. This arrangement provides greater flexibility and a wide variety of additional design configurations for the display system 10. From the above it will be noted that they can numerous modifications and variations are made without departing from the essence and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It should be understood that no limitation should be intended or inferred with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated. It is intended that the description be covered by the appended claims whose modifications fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims (11)

1. A modular display system characterized in that it comprises: at least two separate, parallel, vertical supports, each having an upper end and a lower end; at least two separate, parallel, horizontally oriented cross braces extending between and connecting with the column supports, the column supports and the cross brackets define a plane, wherein at least one of the column supports and the cross-type supports define a plurality of corresponding separate openings formed there resting in the plane; a separation member positioned in the plane between column supports and the cross-member supports, the separation member having an assembly part including a plurality of projecting elements extending from there to engage the openings in one of column supports and the cross-type supports, the separation member is placed between the supports that have at least a part of the protruding elements exposed; and at least one connecting element that can be mounted to the exposed projection portions, and being mountable so as to encompass the spacing member.

2. The modular display system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the separation member includes a removable panel.

3. The modular display system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the separation member includes an end termination element extending between at least some of the projecting elements.

4. The modular display system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the mounting part of the separation member includes a frame and wherein the projecting elements extend from the frame.

5. The modular display system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the separation member includes a mesh portion.

6. The modular display system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the connecting element includes at least one of a shelf, a hanging support and a support board.

7. The modular display system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the projecting elements have a cylindrical shape.

8. A modular display system characterized in that it comprises: at least two separate column supports, parallel, vertically oriented and each having an upper end and a lower end; at least two separate, parallel, horizontally oriented crossbar supports extending between and connecting the column supports, the column supports and the crossbar supports define a planar frame, in which at least one of the column supports and the cross-member supports define a plurality of corresponding circular openings, formed there resting in the plane; a separation member placed in the frame between the column supports and the cross member supports, the separation member having a peripheral frame including a plurality of projecting elements integrally therewith and extending from there, the projecting elements having a shape cylindrical and being able to insert into and embed the openings in one of the column supports and the cross member supports, the separation member is placed between the supports having at least a portion of the projecting elements exposed between the peripheral frame and the supports, the separation having a part of the internal central and a removable panel secured between the central part and the peripheral frame; and at least one connecting element mountable to the projecting parts, the connecting part being mountable so as to encompass the separation member.

9. The modular display system according to claim 8, further characterized in that it includes a rigid mesh-like separation part.

10. The modular display system according to claim 8, further characterized in that the peripheral frame is detachably mounted to the separation. The modular display system according to claim 8, further characterized in that the connection element includes at least one of a shelf, a hanging support and a support board. SUMMARY A modular display system (10) including at least two column supports vertically oriented, parallel and spaced (12), each having an upper end and a lower end, and at least two cross braces oriented in horizontal form, (14) extending between and connecting the column supports and forming a frame. The column supports (12) and the crossbar supports (14) define a plane. At least one of the column supports and the cross member supports defines a plurality of corresponding and separate openings (26) formed therein and located in the plane. A spacing member (28) is placed in the frame, within the plane, between the column supports (12) and the cross member supports (14). A member of separation (28) can include an interchangeable board element to change the color and display medium among other things. A spacing member (28) has a mounting part that includes a plurality of protruding elements (36) extending from there to engage with the openings in one of the column supports and the cross member supports. The separating member (28) is placed between the supports having at least a portion of the protruding elements (36) exposed. At least one connection element (54) can be mounted in the display system, fixed to the exposed projecting portions, and can be mounted so as to extend over the separation member.