WO2010132934A1 - Display assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A display assembly (10) capable of being externally mounted to a substantially vertical surface. The assembly (10) includes a plurality of circular support arm sockets (12) connecting, or connected by, a plurality of circular base elements (18). The support arm sockets (12) include engagement means (24) within the sockets for releasable attachment of one or more load bearing support arms (14) extending substantially horizontally, wherein the support arms (14) are selectively insertable and removable from the sockets (12) to provide a desired display assembly (10).

Description

Display assembly

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a display assembly including sockets for inserting support arms. Such support arms find particular, though not exclusive, application in hanging goods to be displayed or for supporting shelving assemblies.

Background of the invention

Support arm systems for hanging goods to be displayed or for supporting a shelving assembly are known. Support arm systems typically include a socket embedded into a wall, column or other vertical surface, and a support arm that is removably inserted into the socket. The support arms are retained in the sockets using any of a variety of different arrangements. The sockets are inserted into apertures cut into the surface of the wall and are permanently fixed in that location.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a display assembly that can be externally mounted to a surface, including sockets for support arms that is both functional and visually appealing, particularly in a retail environment.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be ascertained, understood and regarded as relevant by a person skilled in the art.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, there is provided a display assembly capable of being externally mounted to a substantially vertical surface, the assembly including a plurality of circular support arm sockets connecting, or connected by, a plurality of circular base elements, whereby the support arm sockets include engagement means within the sockets for the releasable attachment of one or more load bearing support arms extending substantially horizontally, wherein the support arms are selectively insertable and removable from the sockets to provide a desired display assembly.

The circular support arm sockets preferably have a variety of diameters. Advantageously, each socket has a different diameter.

The of circular base elements preferably have a variety of diameters. Advantageously, each circular base element has a different diameter. Advantageously, the diameters of the circular base elements are different to the diameters of the sockets.

The circular base elements are preferably generally toroidal in shape, such that they create an annulus. Where sockets and base elements meet, portions of the exteriors of the shapes may overlap or be cut-out where the shapes merge.

The base elements preferably include a base bracket and a cover that is attached over the base bracket. All components of the display assembly preferably snap lock together, without additional fasteners.

LED panels may be provided behind the base elements to illuminate portions of the assembly.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a set, including a display assembly according to the first aspect and at least one support arm, insertable in a circular support arm socket. The support arm is preferably circular in cross-section.

Preferably, each of the support arm sockets includes an insertion opening leading to a passage for insertion of the support arm. The passage preferably has at least one formation complementary to at least one formation on the support arm to engage the support arm when the support arm is in the socket.

The formation on the end of the support arm is preferably a T-shaped protrusion projecting axially from an end of the support arm. The at least one formation on the socket includes shoulders behind which the protrusions are able to engage. Preferably, the support arm is axially inserted into the socket and rotated, e.g. approximately 90°, to engage the shoulders.

Brief description of the drawings

Accordingly, there is provided a display assembly capable of being externally mounted to a surface, the assembly including a plurality of circular support arm sockets connecting, or connected by, a plurality of circular base elements to provide an assembly for the attachment of one or more support arms.

The circular support arm sockets preferably have a variety of diameters. Advantageously, each socket has a different diameter.

The of circular base elements preferably have a variety of diameters. Advantageously, each circular base element has a different diameter. Advantageously, the diameters of the circular base elements are different to the diameters of the sockets.

The circular base elements are preferably generally toroidal in shape, such that they create an annulus. Where sockets and base elements meet, portions of the exteriors of the shapes may overlap or be cut-out where the shapes merge.

The base elements preferably include a base bracket and a cover that is attached over the base bracket. All components of the display assembly preferably snap lock together, without additional fasteners.

LED panels may be provided behind the base elements to illuminate portions of the assembly.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a set, including a display assembly according to the first aspect and at least one support arm, insertable in a circular support arm socket. The support arm is preferably circular in cross-section.

Preferably, each of the support arm sockets includes an insertion opening leading to a passage for insertion of the support arm. The passage preferably has at least one formation complementary to at least one formation on the support arm to engage the support arm when the support arm is in the socket.

The formation on the end of the support arm is preferably a T-shaped protrusion projecting axially from an end of the support arm. The at least one formation on the socket includes shoulders behind which the protrusions are able to engage. Preferably, the support arm is axially inserted into the socket and rotated, e.g. approximately 90°, to engage the shoulders.

Detailed description of the embodiments

A display assembly 10 is provided for external mounting to a surface, such as a vertical wall (not shown). The display assembly is provided with a plurality of circular sockets 12 for the attachment of one or more support arms 14. The support arms 14 are typically of the type for displaying articles in a retail environment. The support arms 14 illustrated are for displaying articles suspended from a hook or hanger, and therefore the support arms 14 include a projection 16 extending from the cylindrical surface of the arm adjacent the distal end. This prevents hooks or hangers from sliding off the distal end of the support arm 14.

The plurality of sockets 12 connect, or are connected by, a plurality of circular base elements 18 to create the display assembly 10. As can be seen from the drawings, the diameters of the various sockets 12 and base elements 18 vary to create a non-uniform collection of circular components that is visually appealing. The internal diameters of the sockets illustrated are 5, 15, 20, 25 and 30mm, randomly placed.

Each of the sockets 12 include an outer housing 20 and an insertion opening 22 leading to a passage into which the support arm 14 is inserted. The sockets 12 illustrated include a gate 24 (Figures 2 and 5) in the insertion opening 22 that blocks access to the passage. When inserting the support arm 14 it pushes back the gate 24 to expose formations (not shown) on the inside of the passage.

A formation 26 on the proximal end of the support arm 14 engages with the formations in the passage to lock the support arm 14 into position. The formations 26 are shown in the exploded view in Figure 4. In the embodiment illustrated each formation 26 is a T- shaped projection, which engages underneath the formations, typically shoulders (not shown), provided in the passage of the socket 12. It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this regard and a number of different socket configurations could be used.

The circular base elements 18 are generally created from two components, a base bracket 30 and a cover 32. Although, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-7, base element 18a is made as a part of the base brackets 30 and does not have a separate cover. The base brackets 30 are connected together by the sockets 12, or the sockets are connected by the base brackets, depending on the design. It is the connected base brackets that are fixed to the wall through holes 34. A number of additional holes 34 may be provided to suit the size and shape of the overall display assembly 10. In this case only two fasteners are required. The advantage of connecting the sockets 12 together using the base elements 18 is that the base elements allow for external mounting to wall surfaces, such as brick walls. The prior art sockets must be recess fit in the wall surface and therefore are permanently positioned. The present invention allows for the reconfiguration of sockets on the walls and for mounting on wall surfaces that do not allow recessing, such as brick.

The covers 32 are then placed over the base brackets 30 to create an appealing outer appearance, such that the base brackets 30 are completely covered and no longer visable. The covers 32 are preferably toroidal in shape, although it will be appreciated that the centres may contain graphics or backing material. The centres fo the base brackets 30 may contain graphics which can be seen through the centre of the covers 32. In the form of the covers illustrated, the top surface 33 is flat and the inner and outer side walls 35, 37 are outwardly curved, as shown in Figure 6. The thickness between the side walls is greater at the base than at the top near. The covers 32 can be made in various colours or from various materials. The covers can be interchangeable to suit the particular application of the display assembly.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, an LED panel 40 can be inserted behind the bracket 30a. The light is reflected backwards onto the wall the assembly is attached to, to indirectly light up the inner empty section of the cover 32. By lighting up the wall, the light then reflects back on the cover 32 and lights up the inner wall 35 of the cover 34.

Typically, the various components of the display assembly 10 are made from plastics or other suitable materials. The base elements could be made from plastic, such as glass filled Nylon™, or they could be zinc or aluminium die cast. The covers 32 are most likely to be made from ABS, PC or acrylic, allowing them to be transparent in solid colour, or allowing them to be chrome plated.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. A display assembly capable of being externally mounted to a substantially vertical surface, the assembly including a plurality of circular support arm sockets connecting, or connected by, a plurality of circular base elements, whereby the support arm sockets include engagement means within the sockets for the releasable attachment of one or more load bearing support arms extending substantially horizontally, wherein the support arms are selectively insertable and removable from the sockets to provide a desired display assembly.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the circular support arm sockets have a variety of diameters.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein each socket has a different diameter.

4. An assembly according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the circular base elements have a variety of diameters.

5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein each circular base element has a different diameter.

6. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diameters of the circular base elements are different to the diameters of the sockets.

7. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circular base elements are generally toroidal in shape, such that they create an annulus.

8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein, where sockets and base elements meet, portions of the exteriors of the shapes overlap or are cut-out where the shapes merge.

9. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base elements include a base bracket and a cover that is attached over the base bracket.

10. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein LED panels are provided behind the base elements to illuminate portions of the assembly.

11. A set, including a display assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and at least one support arm, releasably insertable in a circular support arm socket.

12. A set according to claim 11 , wherein a plurality of support arms are provided of varying diameters.

13. A set according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the support arm(s) includes formations for engagement within the sockets.