WO2022135716A1

WO2022135716A1 - Fastening element for fastening or fixing a display unit to a support device

Info

Publication number: WO2022135716A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/087800
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreas RÖßL
Original assignee: Ses-Imagotag Gmbh
Priority date: 2020-12-23
Filing date: 2020-12-23
Publication date: 2022-06-30
Also published as: EP4268220A1; CN116888654A

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening element which is used for fastening or fixing a display unit, preferably an electronic display unit, particularly preferably an electronic price and/or product information display unit, to a support device, which is preferably designed as a shelf rail, wherein the fastening element comprises at least one retractable and deployable blocking element, which is preferably designed as a pin, is held in its deployed position by a spring provided in the fastening element and which can be moved against the force of the spring to a retracted position. The invention is characterized in that the fastening element is implemented as a separate fastening module.

Description

title

Fastening element for fastening or fixing a display unit to a carrying device

description

technical field

background

DE68902399T2 discloses an electronic display unit, which is also called Electronic Shelf Label or ESL for short, and which has a retractable blocking element as part of its fastening element, which is structurally integrated into the ESL and is used to fasten the ESL to a shelf rail. The blocking element protrudes from the housing of the ESL and is used to snap into a groove or recess or a hole in the correspondingly designed shelf rail. The blocking element can be pulled in using a separate special tool that is brought into direct contact with the ESL, so that the ESL can be removed from the shelf rail or moved along the shelf rail. With this measure, the ESL can be blocked in the intended position on the shelf rail, so that removal from the shelf rail, theft of the ESL, as well as its displacement along the shelf rail is reliably prevented or only possible by those people who have access have to the special tool.

However, the well-known ESL has proven to be disadvantageous in use because it requires a specially designed shelf rail in order to be used.

The invention has therefore set itself the task of providing an improved fastening element, an improved ESL and a system with such an ESL, which is fastened to a carrying device, which can be used more flexibly.

Summary of the Invention This object is achieved by a fastener according to claim 1. The subject matter of the invention is therefore a fastening element which serves to fasten or fix a display unit, preferably an electronic display unit, particularly preferably an electronic price and/or product information display unit, to a carrying device, preferably designed as a shelf rail, the fastening element has at least one retractable and extendable blocking element, preferably designed as a pin, which is held in its extended position by a spring provided in the fastening element and can be moved to a retracted position against the force of the spring, characterized in that the fastening element implemented as a separate module.

Furthermore, this object is achieved by an electronic display according to claim 9. The subject of the invention is therefore a display unit, preferably an electronic display unit, particularly preferably an electronic price and/or product information display unit, which has a housing, characterized in that the housing has a housing structure and the housing structure for receiving a as a separate fastening module implemented fastening element is formed, the fastening element for fastening the display unit to a carrying device, preferably designed as a shelf rail, is used.

Furthermore, this object is achieved by an electronic display according to claim 14. The subject matter of the invention is therefore a system that has a display unit according to the invention and a carrying device, preferably designed as a shelf rail, to which the display unit is attached using the blocking element of the fastening element accommodated in the housing structure of the display unit, the carrying device having at least one Has recess, into which the blocking element has penetrated.

The invention thus provides a fastening element that can be used in a modular manner, which can be optionally inserted into the display unit and removed again from there.

The measures according to the invention therefore have the advantage that the display unit can be flexibly adapted to different types of Shelf rails can be used. For example, the display unit with the fastening element inserted can be used on a specially designed shelf rail, which has a corresponding design in order to be able to interact with the blocking element in such a way that the display unit can be locked in terms of its position along the shelf rail and on the shelf rail against removal from there is blocked. Likewise, the display can be used without the fastener on another type of shelf rail that does not have such special configurations.

This also results in the logistical and economic advantage that customer requirements can be met flexibly with regard to the type of shelf rail to be installed, whereby despite the installation of different types of shelf rail always one and the same design of the display unit, but once with the fastener used and once without this fastener, is used. With regard to the display unit, which forms the cost driver in the system, the "economy of scale" aspect comes into play, i.e. the cost advantage with larger quantities of a single design.

Further, particularly advantageous configurations and developments of the invention result from the dependent claims and the following description.

The spring is preferably designed as a spiral spring. But it can also be realized by a leaf spring or by an elastic band and the like.

The display can be in the form of a simple paper-based or plastic-based label on which information about products, services and/or prices is shown. However, it is preferably an electronic display unit.

Such an electronic display unit has electronics that are used to receive data and to reproduce image content that is transported with this data on an electronic screen in readable form. Such electronics, the communication behavior of which, ie the radio protocol used there, including the screen, is disclosed, for example, in WO2015/124197 on pages 2-32, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Preference is given to extremely energy-saving, electrophoretic screens screens to use. However, active screens such as LCD or OLED screens can also be used. In addition to the battery-operated mode of operation described there, an electronic display unit can also be supplied with electrical energy using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology or Power-over-WiFi technology, etc. The data communication with the electronic displays can be realized not only radio-based (e.g. using NFC, ZigBee, Bluetooth, or also with the proprietary radio protocol according to WO2015/124197 etc.) but also wired, as for example from WO2017/153481 A1 is known, this disclosure also being incorporated by reference.

The electronics as well as the screen and possibly an electrical energy store are accommodated within a housing of the display unit. In this case, the screen can optionally be covered with a protective window, which then forms part of the housing, or even serve as a part of the housing if the protective window is dispensed with. The case can also be made entirely or partly of a transparent material that encloses and protects the screen.

The housing has fastening means, with the aid of which the display unit can be fastened to the carrying structure or carrying device.

The carrying structure or carrying device can be implemented in many ways. For example, it can be a table display that can be set up on a counter or fixed there. It is also possible to design the support structure as a clothing tag that can be fixed there hanging on clothing. For reasons of the compact description of the invention, however, reference is made exclusively to a shelf rail as the preferred embodiment of the support structure.

Along its longitudinal extent, the shelf rail can have a (e.g. lower) first fastening rail with an end section that looks like a hook in cross section and a (e.g. upper) second fastening rail with hole-like or slot-like or groove-like recesses arranged in a grid along the shelf rail, with the two fastening rails being arranged in such a way at a distance from each other are arranged so that the display unit can be used between these two mounting rails. A connecting web can be formed between the fastening rails and further elements can be provided for fastening the shelf rail to a shelf, for example as its front end.

In order for the display unit to be able to form a connection (possibly also with a non-positive fit) to the shelf rail, i.e. to be blocked in its position, the fastening means of the housing have a (lower) groove, for example, into which the (lower) first fastening rail with its hook-like end section can intervene. The display unit, which is initially inserted and held there with its one housing section or housing end, can then be pressed with its other housing section or housing end into the shelf rail until the blocking element of the fastening element engages in one of the preferably hole-like recesses in the second fastening rail. Since these recesses are arranged at equal distances from each other along the length of the shelf rail, i.e. arranged in a grid, it may be necessary to move the display unit slightly to the left or right so that the position of the blocking element corresponds to the position of one of the Recesses collapse and can penetrate or snap into them.

The fastening element as well as the housing structure into which it can be inserted can be configured in such a way that after the fastening module has been pushed in for the first time, a permanent connection is established between the housing and the fastening module. This can be done, for example, by one or more hooks that grip behind a nose and can then no longer be released unless a destructive force is applied.

The fastening element implemented as a fastening module is preferably designed or shaped in such a way that the fastening module can be inserted or plugged into a housing structure of the housing of the display unit that corresponds to the shape of the fastening module, in particular can be removed again. This means that the outer shape of the fastening module is adapted to the shape of the housing structure, e.g. both shapes can be inserted or inserted into one another. sliding curved shapes, in particular cylindrical shapes, or angular shapes, in particular rectangular shapes, are given. The shape of the housing structure can have a constant diameter along its length. The shape of the housing structure preferably has a profile that tapers inwards. The shape of the fastening module is also adapted to this shape and accordingly has a wedge or cone-like (truncated) shape. This facilitates the manual insertion of the fastening module into the housing structure and also ensures a machine assembly process. With a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, it can also be advantageous if chamfers are formed in the transition between the side surfaces of the fastening module at least along the longitudinal edges of the fastening module, i.e. significantly shorter connecting surfaces are formed between the side surfaces, for example at an angle of 45°.

The fastening module and the housing structure can also be designed in such a way that the fastening module, which is inserted into the housing structure with sufficient pressure, snaps into place in the housing structure, for example with the aid of a plug or clip mechanism. This attachment mechanism can be understood as a type of plug-in connection, so that the attachment module can be removed from the housing structure again when subjected to a corresponding tensile force, which overcomes the cohesion of the plug-in connection. In connection with this type of attachment of the attachment module in the housing structure, reference should also be made to a preferred embodiment in which the plug-in or clip mechanism is accessible from outside the housing of the display unit. In this case, the plug-in or clamp effect can be dimensioned or measured in such a way that it cannot be overcome by simply manually tightening the fastening module. The fastening module can only be removed from the housing structure again by using a tool that releases the connector or clamp mechanism. This embodiment is advantageous when a temporarily irreversible hold of the fastening module in the housing structure is desired which cannot be overcome by the normal consumer without the use of force. In addition, the housing structure and the fastening module can be designed without any plug-in or clamp mechanism, so that the fastening module can be easily inserted into the housing structure without any holding effect by such a mechanism and interacts there essentially flush with the housing structure and from there simply can be removed again by applying a tensile force (or by shaking it out), without having to overcome any minimum force caused by plugging or clamping.

A further aspect relates to the retraction of the blocking element into its retracted position. This could be done, for example, by a special external component or tool with which the blocking element is moved through direct or indirect mechanical actuation. However, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if a magnetic or magnetizable component, in particular a ferromagnetic component, is particularly preferably implemented by the blocking element itself to move the blocking element, so that the action of an external magnetic force on the magnetic or magnetizable component, the blocking element can be moved against the force of the spring into the retracted position. The external magnetic force can be generated, for example, by a separate device with an electromagnet or by a permanent magnet. This device is held against the display unit and the effect of the external magnetic force can move and/or twist the magnetic or magnetizable component provided in the fastening module. The component can be coupled to the blocking element, i.e. connected to one another or simply positioned adjacent to it. Due to the coupling with the blocking element, the movement of the magnetic or magnetizable component is converted into a translational or rotary movement of the blocking element, so that the blocking element is moved from the extended position to the retracted position, with the spring, the yes interacts with the blocking element, is tensioned. As soon as the external magnetic force ceases, the blocking element is pushed back into the extended position by the spring force of the tensioned spring. The blocking element itself preferably implements the magnetic or magnetizable component. This means that the magnetic force applied by the external device acts directly on the blocking element. The blocking element is particularly preferably made of ferromagnetic steel. This provides the most solid and durable one-piece training possible.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the fastening module has an outer sleeve or cage in which both the spring and the blocking element are accommodated and the blocking element, at least in the extended position from the sleeve, e.g. protrudes. If the magnetic or magnetizable component is implemented separately from the blocking element, then it is advantageous if the magnetic or magnetizable component and any other components or components required for the function are also accommodated within the sleeve so that they are protected by the sleeve will. A sleeve wall of the sleeve can be formed over the entire surface or also be perforated or left free at least on one side, ie not completely enclosing the interior of the sleeve.

A further aspect relates to the support of the spring, with the spring being supported on the sleeve and holding the blocking element in the extended position. The spring is therefore not supported anywhere on the housing of the display unit in which the fastening module is accommodated, but is located structurally and functionally within the sleeve, so that the fastening module is also fully functional outside of the display unit. For example, the spring can be supported on the bottom side on the inside of the sleeve or interact with another component that is itself supported on the inside of the sleeve, and from there interact with the blocking element. The spring preferably sits on a pin that is only a few millimeters long and is formed on the bottom or foot side inside the sleeve. The other end of the spring interacts with the blocking element directly or via an intermediate element inside the sleeve. The spring is dimensioned in such a way that it holds the blocking element in its extended position in a substantially completely or at least partially relaxed state, that is to say at least slightly pretensioned.

A further aspect relates to the mobility of the blocking element within the fastening module, with the blocking element being on the inside the sleeve is guided with the aid of a guide, in particular a box or tube or carriage or rail-like guide, and can be displaced along this guide between the extended position and the retracted position. This measure also takes into account the fact that the fastening module functions autonomously. The aforementioned mechanical guidance of the blocking element essentially ensures that the blocking element is guided or held at a suitable angle or in a suitable orientation so that it can also reliably move with the blocking element when it is used as intended in a display unit to allow the support structure to interact. With the help of the guide, transverse forces acting on the part of the blocking element protruding from the fastening module can also be intercepted. The sleeve preferably forms a box-like or tube-like guide with its walls and the blocking element itself has, at least with its part located within the sleeve, a slide-like guide which is essentially adapted to the box-like or tube-like guide and thus allowing the blocking element to slide within the sleeve between the extended position and the retracted position. Furthermore, the slide-like guide formed by the blocking element can also accommodate the spring, preferably in the form of a spiral spring, in its interior. The spring then interacts at its first end--as already discussed above--with the sleeve and at its second end with the blocking element. It is therefore inserted or clamped between these two limits and is held laterally by the carriage-like guide, possibly also by a wall of the sleeve, so that it cannot deviate in the lateral direction when it is clamped. Those components that spatially surround the spring thus form a type of spring cage that holds the spring in its desired position in the fastening module.

The movement of the blocking element can be limited by the bottom of the sleeve or by an end stop of the sleeve which takes place at the bottom. The fastening module preferably has a head-side cover with a cover opening, the blocking element protruding through the cover opening at least in its extended position. The cover protects the interior of the mounting module from contamination and the like. The lid opening, for example, in the blocking element Substantially enclose shape-following in order to keep the gap between the edge of the opening and the blocking element necessary for the movement of the blocking element as small as possible without impairing the ability of the blocking element to move. Against this background, it can also be advantageous if the blocking element has two different widths when viewed in the longitudinal direction. For example, a relatively slim, possibly thorn-like, end region of the blocking element can be provided, the dimensions of which are adapted to the shape of the recess of the carrying device and intended to penetrate into one of the recesses of the carrying device. This slender end area can merge into a wider part of the blocking element, which is mainly present inside the sleeve and is adapted, for example, to the Deeken opening in order to be able to slide in it. The wider part of the blocking element preferably merges into the carriage-like guide of the blocking element.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the fastening module has a side wall adjacent to the cover, in which a side wall opening is cut out, which is designed or shaped in such a way that the blocking element can be inserted into the fastening element or removed from there is. This measure ensures that the individual parts of the fastening module can be assembled and placed in the fastening module as simply as possible. At the same time, it is ensured that a fastening module that is malfunctioning can be dismantled as easily as possible and, if necessary, can also be cleaned, or defective parts can also be replaced. Such a fastening module is therefore extremely maintenance-friendly. The side wall opening is preferably designed with such a large area that the slide-like guide of the blocking element is guided through the sleeve on three sides when the fastening module is inserted into the shaft and on the remaining fourth side, i.e. where the side wall opening is cut out, through the Wall of the shaft of the housing of the display unit is performed. This represents an extremely material-saving design for the fastening module.

With regard to the display unit, it should be noted that the

Housing structure advantageous as an outwardly open receiving shaft can be designed according to the mentioned sleeve-like shape of the fastening module. If the dimensions of the receiving shaft of the housing and those of the sleeve of the fastening module are matched to one another with appropriate accuracy, reliable and, above all, substantially play-free positioning of the display unit on the support structure can be ensured. This relates essentially to the positional accuracy transverse to the positioning surface of the support structure or support device, on which the back of the display unit is positioned when the display unit is inserted into the support structure.

However, dimensioning the depth of the housing structure can also be important for the reliable functioning of the fastening module. It is therefore also advantageous if the housing structure, in particular the receiving shaft, is realized in such a way, in particular is dimensioned so deep, that when the fastening module is fully inserted into it, the blocking element of the fastening module at least in its extended position at the point of the housing structure via a outer edge of the housing structure protrudes. This ensures that the blocking element can interact with the carrying structure as planned, with the length of the part of the blocking element protruding over the edge naturally having to be dimensioned accordingly in order to be able to reliably engage in the recess of the carrying device in the extended position.

In order to achieve an operating time of the display unit that is as long as possible and unaffected by environmental influences, such as dust and liquids, it can also be advantageous for the housing, but in particular the housing structure, i.e. specifically the receiving shaft, to seal the display unit. With this measure, the area of the fastening element that is problematic in contrast to conventional display units can be closed or sealed without having to do without the fastening element, because it can be used as a separate fastening module. Based on this measure, an all-round sealed housing can now also be implemented. With the exception of the battery receiving area, in which the batteries can be inserted and from which the batteries can be removed for battery replacement, the housing can thus be completely encapsulated. To produce the encapsulated housing, the Components of the display unit are first used in open housing parts and the housing parts are then inseparably connected.

Particularly in the case of the above-mentioned design of the housing shaft which is open on both sides, the housing shaft can be simply rinsed out with a cleaning liquid, such as water, if it is soiled.

Thus, a display unit with a fastening element implemented as a fastening module that is inserted into the housing structure can form a display unit fastening module subsystem for use in the system according to the invention defined at the outset.

In summary, it is stated that the solution according to the invention differs fundamentally from known solutions in which the housing must have an opening into the interior of the display unit, from which the blocking element protrudes. The solution according to the invention thus solves the known problem that the mostly electronic components within the display unit as well as the mechanical components of the fastening element are exposed to the external environmental conditions without protection. The solution according to the invention thus ensures that e.g. liquids or dusty or granular foreign substances can no longer penetrate the interior of the housing of the display unit and thus the function of the electronics and the readability of the display can no longer be impaired as a result.

Even if substances penetrating the fastening module according to the invention cause the blocking element to malfunction or become inoperable, it can be made functional again by simple and quick cleaning. Situations in which the entire display unit would have to be replaced due to a malfunction of the fastening element, as is the case with known solutions, can thus be ruled out.

Finally, it should also be mentioned that the blocking element can also have a number of separate extensions which can be moved at once between the extended and the retracted position. The blocking element can also be contained several times in the fastening element. The fastener may vary in size and shape be adjusted accordingly. Furthermore, the display device can be designed to accommodate a plurality of fastening elements.

These and other aspects of the invention result from the figures discussed below.

Character brief description

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached figures using exemplary embodiments, to which the invention is not limited, however. The same components are provided with identical reference symbols in the various figures. They show in a schematic way:

1 shows a display unit and a fastening element dismantled into parts from a first perspective,

2 shows the display unit and the fastening element disassembled into parts according to FIG. 1 from a second perspective,

3 shows the display unit and the assembled fastening element in the perspective according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 4 shows the display unit with inserted modular

Fastening element in the perspective according to Figure 1, Fig. 5 used in a shelf rail and there with the help of

Fastener mounted display unit in a third perspective,

6 shows the use of a special tool for removing the display unit from the shelf rail,

7 shows the back of the display unit with the battery receiving area open and a view of the fastening element used,

8 shows an enlargement of a detail area of FIG. 7,

9 shows the assembled fastening element,

Fig. 10 the fastener dismantled into individual parts,

11 shows a sleeve of the fastening element in a first perspective, FIG. 12 shows the sleeve in a second perspective.

Description of the exemplary embodiments 1 shows an electronic display unit 1 viewed obliquely from behind, which has a housing structure that is open to the outside on its upward-facing side, the housing structure being implemented as a receiving shaft 2 with an essentially rectangular cross section and for receiving a in relation to the display unit 1 separately present fastening element, which is designed as a fastening module 3, is used. This fastening module 3 can be seen in FIG. 1 in an exploded view, which shows the components of the fastening module 3, which will be discussed in detail later. FIG. 2 also shows this combined representation consisting of the display unit 1 and the fastening module 3, but viewed obliquely from the front.

In FIG. 3, the assembled fastening module 3 can now be seen above the receiving shaft 2 in the viewing direction according to FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 shows the display unit 1 in the same viewing direction with the fastening module 3 pushed into the receiving shaft 2.

Subsequently, the display unit 1 inserted into a shelf rail 4 is visualized in FIG. The display unit 1 and the shelf rail 4 can be seen here viewed from the side. Such a shelf rail 4 is typically attached to the front end of the shelf of a shelf in a retailer's shop, which results in the meaning of the orientation information "top" and "bottom" used below corresponding to the usual usage. Accordingly, "up" means against the direction of gravity and "down" in the direction of gravity. If the display unit 1 is held differently than shown in Figure 5, these directional indications refer to other sides or parts of the display unit 1.

In general, it should be noted that the display unit 1 has a screen 5 on its front side, which is accommodated in a housing 6 together with electronics that are not visible, that is to say arranged inside.

At the back of the display unit 1, the housing 6 has a battery receiving area 7A for receiving batteries (not visible). on, which stands out from a screen border area 7B of the housing 6, which borders the screen 5 on the back. A first (upper) channel 8 and a second (lower) channel 9 are formed between these two areas 7A and 7B of the housing 6 . The two grooves extend along the transition between the two areas 7A and 7B and run between the two lateral ends of the battery receiving area 7A. The receiving shaft 2 is located in the middle of the upper channel 8, so that the fastening module 3 is visible from above and at least part of a blocking element 11 of the fastening module 3, designed as a pin 10 at the end, protrudes over an outer edge of the receiving shaft 2, such as this can be seen in Figures 4 and 5.

As can be seen in Figure 5, the shelf rail 4 has a (lower) first fastening rail 12 with a hook-like end section 13 that runs along its entire length, and a (upper) second fastening rail 14 with hole-like recesses 15 that run along the width of the longitudinal extent of the shelf rail 4 are located at equidistant distances from one another, with the pin 10 being shown inserted into one of these hole-like recesses 15 in the present case. Viewed from below, the hook-like end section 13 engages in the lower channel 9 and keeps the display unit 1 fixed there from below and fixed at a constant distance from the shelf rail 4 . The lower mounting rail 12 only allows an optional movement or positioning of the display unit 1 along the longitudinal extent of the shelf rail 4, this movement being of course only possible if the pin 10 has not penetrated into one of the hole-like recesses 15.

FIG. 5 also shows a system that has at least one display unit 1 inserted into the shelf rail 4 .

FIG. 6 now shows how a special tool 16 is positioned on the lower half of the display unit 1 and how the ferromagnetic blocking element 11 was moved into its retracted position with the aid of a magnetic force generated by the special tool. The display unit 1 thus unlocked at its upper edge from the shelf rail 4 can now be tilted out of the shelf rail 4 to the left and removed from the shelf rail 4 with its lower edge held by the shelf rail 4 as before. The special tool 16 has a Magnet (not shown in detail), which is dimensioned or selected with regard to its magnetic force to be generated in such a way that the force is sufficient over the distance defined by the geometry of the display unit 1, which is present between the blocking element and the magnet, to move the blocking element.

FIG. 7 shows the display unit 1 in which the housing wall of the battery receiving area 7A has been removed from the housing 6. Thus, two batteries 17, which are contacted with contacting elements 18, can be seen. Positioned between the batteries 17 is the receiving shaft 2 into which the fastening module 3 is inserted. As can be clearly seen in this view, the housing wall of the battery receiving area 7A forms a part of the receiving shaft 2 towards the rear. A spiral spring 19, which is arranged inside the fastening module 3 and the blocking Maintains element 11 in its extended position in its substantially relaxed state (up to a slight bias). It should also be mentioned here that the spiral spring 19 can also be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, although only roughly schematically indicated there as a cylinder.

FIG. 7 also shows that the bottom 20 of the receiving shaft 2 has a bottom opening 21 through which a fastening mechanism 22 of the fastening module 3 is guided. In the present case, the attachment mechanism 22 is formed by two hooks 23, which sit on arms 24 that can be bent elastically toward one another, the hooks 23 being oriented away from one another, so that they grip the bottom 20 on its outside, whereby the attachment module 3 in the Receiving shaft 2 is fixed. A detail section 25 in FIG. 8 shows this situation in an enlarged manner with the allocation of the reference symbols mentioned.

The fastening module 3 can be seen in its assembled state in FIG. 9 and in its dismantled state in FIG. A sleeve 26 with a substantially rectangular cross section can be seen here in detail. Inserted into the sleeve 26, FIG. 9 also shows that the spiral spring 19 interacts with the blocking element 11 at the head end and with a bolt 27 at the foot end. The blocking element 11 that can be seen in detail in FIG. 10 has a slide-like guide 28 into which the spiral spring 19 can be inserted. the width, length and depth of the slide-like guide being dimensioned such that it is longitudinally displaceable within the sleeve 26, which forms a box-like guide for the blocking element 11, between the retracted position and the extended position.

On the head side, the sleeve 26 has a cover 29 which has a cover opening 30, the shape of the edge of which corresponds to the shape of the part of the blocking element 11 which is passed through it, as can be seen in FIG.

Figures 11 and 12 show only the sleeve 26 of the attachment module 3 from two different perspectives. The sleeve 26 is open on one side so that the spiral spring 19 together with the blocking element 11 can be used from there. This is clearly visible in the perspective of FIG. Side sleeve walls 31 each have a guide lug 32 which engages around or behind the blocking element 11 used in order to prevent it from falling out. A transverse sleeve wall 33, which connects the side sleeve walls 31, has a central recess 34 and the recess 34 towards beveled wall edges 35 which are formed in the region of the spiral spring 19 used and which when inserted Serve spiral spring 19 for guiding and positioning the spiral spring 19.

Finally, it is pointed out once again that the figures described in detail above are only exemplary embodiments which can be modified in a wide variety of ways by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For the sake of completeness, it is also pointed out that the use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not rule out the possibility that the relevant characteristics can also be present more than once.

Claims

Expectations

1. Fastening element (3) for fastening or fixing a display unit (1),

- preferably an electronic display unit (1),

- particularly preferably an electronic price and/or product information display unit (1), on a carrying device, preferably designed as a shelf rail (4), is used, the fastening element (3) having at least one retractable and extendable blocking element (10), preferably designed as a pin, which is held in its extended position by a spring (19) provided in the fastening element (3) and can be moved to a retracted position against the force of the spring (19), characterized in that the fastening element ( 3) is implemented as a fastening module (3) that can be used separately.

2. Fastening element (3) according to claim 1, which is designed or shaped in such a way that it can be inserted into a housing structure (2) of the housing (6) of the display unit (1) that corresponds to the shape of the fastening module (3), in particular can be removed again or is pluggable.

3. Fastening element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a magnetic or magnetizable component, in particular a ferromagnetic component, particularly preferably realized by the blocking element (10) itself, is provided for moving the blocking element (10), so that by the action of an external magnetic force on the magnetic or magnetizable component, the blocking element (10) can be moved into the retracted position against the force of the spring (19).

4. Fastening element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, which has an outer sleeve (26) or a cage in which both the spring (19) and the blocking element (10) are accommodated and the blocking element ( 10) protrudes from the sleeve (26) at least in the extended position.

5. Fastening element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring (19) supported on the sleeve (26) holds the blocking element (10) in the extended position.

6. Fastening element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the blocking element (10) is guided inside the sleeve (26) with the aid of a guide, in particular a box or tube or slide or rail-like guide and is slidable along this guide between the extended position and the retracted position.

7. Fastening element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, which has a head-side cover (29) with a cover opening (30), wherein through the cover opening (30) through the blocking element (10) at least in its extended position protrudes.

8. Fastening element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, which has a side wall (31, 33) adjacent to the cover (29) in which a side wall opening is recessed, which is designed or shaped in such a way that the blocking Element (10) can be inserted into or removed from the fastening element (3).

9. display unit (1),

- preferably an electronic display unit (1),

- Particularly preferably as an electronic price and / or product information display unit (l), which has a housing (6), characterized in that the housing (6) has a housing structure (2) and the housing structure (2) for receiving a fastening element (3) realized as a separate fastening module, the fastening element (3) for fastening the display unit (1) to a carrying device, preferably designed as a shelf rail (4), serving.

10. Display unit (1) according to claim 9, wherein the housing structure (2) is designed as an outwardly open receiving shaft (2) corresponding to a sleeve-like shape of the fastening module (3).

11. Display unit (1) according to one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the housing structure (2) is realized in such a way, in particular is dimensioned deep enough, that when the fastening element (3) is fully inserted into it, a blocking element (10) of the fastening element ( 3) protrudes beyond an outer edge of the housing structure (2) at the location of the housing structure (2) at least in its extended position.

A display unit (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the housing structure (2) seals the display unit (1).

13. Display unit (1) according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the display unit (1) has a fastening element (3) according to one of claims 1 to 8 inserted into the housing structure (2) and implemented as a fastening module (3).

14. System that exhibits

- a display unit (1) according to claim 13, and

- a carrying device (4), preferably designed as a shelf rail (4), to which the display unit (1) is fastened with the aid of the blocking element (10) of the fastening element (3) accommodated in the housing structure (2) of the display unit (1). , wherein the carrying device (4) has at least one recess (15) into which the blocking element (10) has penetrated.