WO1999007262A1

WO1999007262A1 - Modular stand

Info

Publication number: WO1999007262A1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/002393
Authority: WO
Inventors: Howard Farthing
Original assignee: Ward Lester Display Company Limited
Priority date: 1997-08-12
Filing date: 1998-08-10
Publication date: 1999-02-18
Also published as: GB2328144A; AU8737798A; GB9717109D0

Abstract

A modular display stand (10) comprising a frame (12) including a plurality of sets of mounting formations at predetermined locations, each set defining mounting points for a respective one of a group of different modular display components, the stand further including one or more modular display components (40) from one of the groups of modular display components mounted at the respective mounting points.

Description

MODULAR STAND

The invention relates to a modular stand, for example a modular display stand allowing one of a group of types of item to be displayed or retailed. It is of course well known to provide stands or shelving for displaying items for retail. In many cases, however, these units lack versatility and are also very difficult to transport to the retail outlet.

One specific form of stand is that for use outside a retail outlet, for example in the forecourt of a petrol station. In this event the items being displayed will be vulnerable to the elements. For example newspapers on a newspaper stand can be irreparably damaged if exposed to rain or snow.

According to the invention there is provided a modular display stand comprising a frame including a plurality of sets of mounting formations at predetermined locations, each set defining mounting points for a respective one of a group of different modular display components, the stand further including one or more modular display components from one of the groups of modular display components mounted at the respective mounting points. As a result a simple, easy to assemble and transport and versatile arrangement is provided. The stand may be for displaying retail items, for example retail items outside a retail outlet.

The frame may comprise first and second opposing end pieces and supports mounted therebetween, in which the mounting formations are provided on the end pieces. The end pieces may be substantially quarter-circle shaped. The mounted modular display component may comprise a newspaper tray. Each newspaper tray includes a clear lid and a newspaper tray body, allowing the newspaper to be displayed outside. The clear lid may be hingedly, detachably mounted to the newspaper tray body. The mounted modular display component may comprise a shelf or a flower stand. -

The invention further comprises a kit for assembly of a modular display stand comprising a frame including a plurality of sets of mounting formations at predetermined locations each set defining mounting points for a respective one of a group of different modular display components, the kit further comprising at least one of said groups of modular display components for mounting at the respective set of mounting points, or a frame for a modular display stand including a plurality of sets of mounting formations at predetermined locations, each set defining mounting points for a respective one of a group of different modular display components or a modular display component comprising a newspaper tray for a stand as described herein or a display stand for printed matter comprising a frame and, mounted thereon, at least one tray for receiving said printed matter, each tray including a hinged lid of substantially transparent material.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings of which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing one modular use according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing another modular use according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a further schematic perspective view showing another modular use according to the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows an end piece for a modular display stand according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 shows a base support frame for a modular display stand according to the present invention; Fig. 6 shows a wheeled base support frame of the type shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7a shows a modular head piece for the stand;

Fig. 7b is a side view corresponding to Fig. 7a;

Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a support frame; Fig. 9 shows in plan a shelf component for the stand;

Fig. 10 shows a tray support for a newspaper tray;

Fig. 1 la is an exploded view showing construction of the stand including a newspaper tray;

Fig. l ib shows a newspaper tray including a lid for the tray in more detail;

Fig. 12 is a schematic side view of newspaper trays mounted on a stand according to the present invention;

Figs. 13a to 13c show front, plan and side views of a flower shelf for the stand; Fig. 14 is a side view of the flower shelf mounted on the stand;

Figs. 15a to 15c shows modular shelf components for the stand;

Fig. 16 shows an alternative end piece for the stand; and

Figs. 17a and 17b show a side and front view of a stand fully constructed in an alternative embodiment.

Figs. 1 to 3 show one embodiment of the stand of invention in various modular forms, namely a newspaper stand module 10 (Fig. 1), a shelf assembly module 20 (Fig. 2) and a flower stand module 30 (Fig. 3). Each of these modules shares various basic features, namely a support frame including side or end pieces 12, a head piece 14, a base piece 16 and means for mounting the various modular display components (not shown). The head piece 14 is arranged to extend above the main body of the stand to carry advertising or other information as appropriate. The base piece 16 renders the stand more aesthetically pleasing and also closes off the base of the stand preventing rubbish from gathering underneath.

Referring in more detail to the newspaper stand module shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of newspaper trays 40 are provided. In the embodiment shown the stand supports two rows of three newspaper trays 40 although, of course, any number of rows each comprising any number of newspaper trays can be achieved. As discussed in more detail below, each newspaper tray 40 comprises a tray body for receiving a stack of newspapers and a clear lid hinged at the top. As a result the newspapers can be displayed externally protected from the elements yet easily viewed and accessed by the customer.

The shelf assembly module shown in Fig. 2 comprises shelves 21 which can be, for example, of mesh material having upstanding lips 22 at their front edges to prevent displayed items from slipping off. The flower stand module 30 shown in Fig. 3 includes a flower shelf 32 having a pair of spaced horizontal bars 34a,34b depending from it as discussed in more detail below.

It will be seen that in each case the support frame including the end pieces 12 is identical; all that is required to build a desired modular stand is to place the relevant modular display component on the frame as discussed in more detail below. Accordingly manufacturing costs are reduced. In addition the stand as a whole can be easily dismantled and constructed and stored in its dismantled form in a minimum amount of space, for example in flat-pack form, allowing ease of delivery. Construction of the support frame for the stand is discussed in more detail with reference to Figs. 4 to 7. One end piece 12 is shown in Fig. 4; it will be appreciated that the other end piece is identical but reversed. The end piece 12 includes a panel 42 shaped as a quadrant of a circle and formed of any desired material such as a metal sheet, a sheet of plastics material, or a wooden panel. The end pieces 12 are shown as being in the form of quadrants of a circle although any suitable shape can be used as long as it provides the necessary structural support as discussed in more detail below. Bounding the panel 42 are reinforcing tubes 44a, 44b and 44c. Two of the tubes 44a and 44b are arranged at right angles to each other and the third tube 44c is arcuate in shape. The tubes 44a-c are connected to one another to form the profile of a quadrant of a circle. The panel 42 is attached to the tubes 44a-c by any suitable means such as fitting within grooves in each of the rubes or being bolted, welded or adhered to the tubes. Of course if the panel 42 is of suitable material the reinforcing tubes 44a-c are not required. The tubes themselves are of any suitable material such as steel and can be bolted, welded or otherwise attached to one another. A plurality of mounting apertures 46 are provided on the panel 12 at various locations. The mounting apertures 46 are arranged to cooperate with mounting elements on the various modular display components for mounting them. Different sets of mounting apertures 46 cooperate with the mounting elements for different modular display components to arrive at the desired modular display stand. Although mounting apertures are shown it will be recognised that any suitable means for cooperating with mounting means on the respective modular display component is suitable.

The support frame base for the modular display stand is shown in Fig. 5 as 47. In particular the support frame base 47 comprises four reinforcing tubes 48,50 of suitable material such as steel, connected together to form a rectangular structure. The shorter sides 48 of the rectangular structure are of suitable dimension for attachment to the base 44b of the end piece 12 and the longer sides 50 determine the width of the modular display stand and can be any desired length. Of course, if appropriate, the modular display stand can be deeper than it is wide in which case the sides 48 will be longer than the sides 50. The shorter sides 48 of the rectangular structure are connected to the bases 445 of respective end panels 12, for example by bolting, welding, riveting or any other suitable attachment means. As a result a sturdy yet simple support frame is achieved. The support frame base 47 shown is a skeletal structure but it is of course possible to cover it with a suitably shaped panel or shelf allowing items to be mounted directly on it. Referring to Fig. 6, the support frame base 47 can be wheeled using either fixed or free wheels 52 of any suitable type and preferably mounted at each corner of the support frame base 47 allowing full mobility for the stand. Of course brakes can be associated with the wheels 52 as appropriate. The support frame is preferably additionally supported by joining the tops of the rear, vertical sides 44a of end piece 12 for example by an additional horizontal strut extending between the end pieces 12, or by a full panel closing the back of the frame as appropriate. As the base and rear of the stand are generally not visible to the customer and are also either sheltered from or impervious to the elements it is preferable in some circumstances to provide a skeletal support frame structure allowing suitable reinforcement using a minimum of materials and requiring a minimum level of construction. Additionally the components of the stand are particularly easily stored in their dismantled form. Referring to Figs. 7a and 7b a modular head piece 54 is shown. Once again the modular head piece 54 is in skeletal form including a cross bar 56 of suitable length to match the width of the display stand and vertical supports 58 at either end including mounting members 60 for mounting against either the end piece or another suitable element of the skeletal frame by bolting, welding or any other suitable means. The cross bar 56 and vertical supports 58 are formed of any suitable material such as steel tubing. Mounted on each vertical support 58 is a channel-forming member 62 formed, for example, from a strip of steel. The channel- forming member 62 is joined at its base to the vertical support 58 and extends substantially the height of the support 58 spaced slightly from the support 58 providing a slot closed at the bottom end. Accordingly a display panel (not shown) extending the width of the display unit can be mounted on the modular head piece 54 with each end supported in the slot or channel formed between vertical support 58 and channel-forming member 62. Fig. 8 shows the full support frame designated generally 64. End pieces 12 are connected at their base by the support frame base 47. Wheels 52 are provided on the support frame base 47. It will be noted that the support frame base 47 is mounted slightly above the bottom of end pieces 12 in order that wheels 52 are mostly concealed from the side by the bottoms of end pieces 12. Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, base piece 16 can be suitably attached to the front face 50 of the support frame base 47 to conceal the majority of the wheels 52 from the front as well. Modular head piece 54 is mounted at the top of the unit 64 and an additional horizontal support strut or cross piece 66 extends between the top rear corners of the end pieces 12.

Figs. 5 and 10 to 12 illustrate construction of the news-stand module using the support frame 64 structure described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8 above. Figs. 11 and 12 show a newspaper tray designated generally 40 and comprising a tray body 70 and a lid 72. The tray body 70 is preferably rectangular when viewed in plan having a base 74 and side walls 76. The base is preferably configured to receive a tabloid-size newspaper placed upright or a broad sheet-size newspaper placed sideways. The side walls 76 retain a pile of newspapers in place. The side walls 76 preferably include a relatively low front wall, a relatively high rear wall and side walls tapering between the two on each side. The height of the side walls is dependent on the number of newspapers it is desired to display together with the height of the unit as a whole. The tray body 70 can be formed of any suitable material such as plastics or sheet metal material moulded or formed into the desired shape.

The newspaper tray 40 further includes a lid 72 preferably of transparent material such as clear plastics material, moulded or otherwise formed into an appropriate shape. The lid is configured to cover the upper open face of the tray body 70 and may include depending lips 73 to reduce the risk of rain water etc. escaping past the lid into the newspaper tray 40. The lid 72 preferably includes a pair of apertures 78 at the upper rear corner of the side lips 73 arranged to cooperate with corresponding apertures 80 in the upper rear corner of the side walls 76 of the tray body 70. A pair of interlocking studs 82a,82b are provided to pass through the apertures 78,80 when aligned and engage one another thus forming a hinge. As a result a particularly simple, effective, reliable and easy to construct hinge is formed although of course any other suitable hinge can be used. It will be seen that a flange 84 is provided at the front of the lid making it yet easier to lift the lid about the hinge 78-82.

Any number of newspaper trays 40 can be mounted on the supporting frame as desired or, alternatively, a single elongate newspaper tray 40 can be provided with, for example, internal divisions, as appropriate. In order to mount the newspaper trays a tray support 86 is provided as shown in Figs. 10 and 11a. The tray support 86 can comprise, for example, four bars or tubes for example of steel, welded, bolted or otherwise connected together to form a rectangle having long sides 88 matching the width of the display stand and short sides 90. The short sides 90 are arranged to be mounted against respective end pieces 12. As mentioned above, each end piece 12 includes a plurality of mounting apertures 46 for various modular uses and the correct mounting apertures are selected for mounting against the tray support 86. In the arrangement shown two mounting apertures 92 are provided for mounting the tray support 86 for example by bolting it in place. The apertures are disposed such that the tray support 86 slopes downwardly forwardly and the newspaper trays 40 mounted thereon are at an optimum viewing angle. The desired number of newspaper trays 40 are then mounted alongside one another along the tray support 86 for example by bolting or screwing them into place or using other suitable fastening such as "fir tree" fastenings. Preferably mounting apertures are provided on the newspaper tray base 74 and the long arms 88 of the tray support 86 for ease and accuracy of location of the newspaper trays 40. Fig. 12 shows the newspaper trays 40 in place - it will be seen that a pair of tray supports 86 are provided one above the other and of course any number of tray supports can be provided. Preferably the intermediate supports are parallel to one another when viewed from the side but off-set vertically by approximately the height of a newspaper tray 40 and horizontally sufficiently spaced that the lid 72 of the lower tray clears the front of the upper tray. The inclination of the trays 40 for optimum viewing can be clearly seen from Fig.

12. A base piece 16 of suitable dimension bridges the gap between the lowest tray 40 and the base. In addition various mounting apertures 46 which have not been used are also clearly shown. In all cases the display stands are of appropriate size and configuration for optimum viewing and access of customers. For example a newspaper stand module having three rows of three newspaper trays may be approximately 1.1 metres wide and 1.5 metres high. Construction of the flower stand module is described with reference to Figs. 3, 13a to 13c and Fig. 14. A display support designated generally 94 is rectangular shaped and formed of tubes, for example of steel. The long sides 96 of the rectangle are of the same length as the width of the display unit and the short sides 98 are arranged to be mounted against the respective end pieces 12. The display support 94 is bolted or otherwise secured against the appropriate mounting apertures 46 on the end piece 12 such that the display support 94 is mounted horizontally. A suitable cover can then be mounted over the display support 94 to support the flowers. For example this cover can be a sheet of plastics or metal material or of mesh material as appropriate. Preferably, however, the support 94 is configured to accept flower trays of known type comprising a rectangular tray base with a shallow vertical wall and a horizontal flange or rim extending around the top periphery of the shallow wall and arranged to rest on the support 94. For example two such trays may be provided side by side. Alternatively no cover is required for buckets arranged to rest on one or other of the spaced horizontal bars 34a,34b depending on the size of the bucket, additional stability being provided by an upper lip of the bucket resting on the support 94. The bucket may be tilted forwardly for optimum display as desired. Fig. 14 shows a mounted pair of display supports 94 vertically and horizontally displaced for optimum display purposes. Fig. 14 also shows a base piece 16 of suitable dimension to close the gap between the lower sub-frame 94 and the base of the end piece 12.

Figs. 9 and 15a-c show yet a further module of the modular display stand including modular shelving components. The shelf components comprise shelf frames of the type shown at 102 and 104, each comprising a rectangular outer frame having long sides 106 of, for example, steel tubes of length matching the width of the display unit optionally including one or more strengthening central struts 108 running parallel to the long sides. The short sides 110 are dimensioned dependent on the desired depth of the shelf- for example a less deep shelf can be mounted at the top of the end piece 12 and a deeper shelf can be mounted lower down in the end piece 12. The number of central struts can be dependent on the depth of the shelf. The short sides 110 of the shelf component are arranged to be mounted against respective end pieces 12 by bolting or otherwise securing to the relevant predetermined mounting apertures. In order for retail items to be supported on the shelf component 102 a suitable surface 112 is provided to lie over the shelf component 102. The surface 112 can be a metal, plastic or wooden sheet, or formed of wire or another type of mesh. An upstanding lip can be provided at the front end of the shelf frame 102,104 or surface 112 to prevent items from slipping off the front of the shelf. The shelf is particularly useful for displaying a variety of retail items, such as engine oil, barbecue charcoal or beverages.

A particular advantage of the quadrant-type shape for the end piece 12 is that it allows modular display components to be displaced both horizontally and vertically allowing additional space and depth for displaying items as well as being aesthetically pleasing. Fig. 16 shows an alternative configuration for the support frame in which, instead of a quadrant-type end piece a broad, diagonal bar 120 extends between the upper, rear end of the frame and the lower, front end. Various mounting apertures 122 are provided at various locations depending on which modular use is desired as discussed in more detail above. An advantage of the system shown is that the end pieces 120 occupy considerably less space than the quadrant-type end pieces and are thus easier to assemble, pack and so forth. On the other hand less area is available for a positioning of mounting apertures.

Figs. 17a and 17b show a similar configuration to that shown in Fig. 16 with three rows of three newspaper trays 40 in position. Accordingly the invention gives rise to a system which is highly versatile because of its modular form yet easily assembled, packaged and transported. In particular the newspaper trays 40 can be arranged to be stored nestingly as can the lids 72. The majority of the components can be laid flat and packaged accordingly allowing ease of transport. It will be appreciated that although three specific possible uses for the modular system have been described, it is of course clear that any suitable use could be envisaged for the modular system simply introducing additional modular display components together with, as appropriate, corresponding mounting apertures on the support frame or other predetermined fixing means.

Claims

1. A modular display stand comprising a frame including a plurality of sets of mounting formations at predetermined locations, each set defining mounting points for a respective one of a group of different modular display components, the stand further including one or more modular display components from one of the groups of modular display components mounted at the respective mounting points.

2. A stand as claimed in claim 1 for displaying retail items.

3. A stand as claimed in claim 2 for displaying retail items outside a retail outlet.

4. A stand as claimed in any preceding claim in which the frame comprises first and second opposing end pieces and supports mounted therebetween, in which the mounting formations are provided on the end pieces.

5. A stand as claimed in claim 4 in which the end pieces are substantially quarter-circle shaped.

6. A stand as claimed in any preceding claim in which the mounted modular display component comprises a newspaper tray.

7. A stand as claimed in claim 6 in which each newspaper tray includes a clear lid and a newspaper tray body.

8. A stand as claimed in claim 7 in which the clear lid is hingedly, detachably mounted to the newspaper tray body.

9. A stand as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 in which the mounted modular display component comprises a shelf.

10. A stand as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 in which the mounted modular display comprises a flower stand.

11. A kit for assembly of a modular display stand comprising a frame including a plurality of sets of mounting formations at predetermined locations each set defining mounting points for a respective one of a group of different modular display components, the kit further comprising at least one of said groups of modular display components for mounting at the respective set of mounting points.

12. A frame for a modular display stand including a plurality of sets of mounting formations at predetermined locations, each set defining mounting points for a respective one of a group of different modular display components.

13. A modular display component comprising a newspaper tray for a stand as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10.

14. A display stand for printed matter comprising a frame and, mounted thereon, at least one tray for receiving said printed matter, each tray including a hinged lid of substantially transparent material.