Abstract:
An adjustable display base primarily for use in retail stores such as supermarkets to hold merchandise. The adjustable display base includes four equal frame members, located at the corners of the device, that support the merchandise. The base can expand at least in the x- and y-directions to accommodate merchandise of various sizes. A system of telescoping dowels and legs permits such expansion. Expansion in the z-direction is also possible. A removable center plate, supported by the frame members, provides a flat surface in the horizontal (x-y) plane for supporting merchandise. The display base is mobile, permitting the merchandise to be moved easily without having to remove the merchandise from the base. Casters enable such movement of the display base.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/396,685, filed on Jul. 18, 2002, the contents of which are incorporated in this application by reference. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to merchandise displays and, more particularly, to an adjustable display base comprising a support frame that can be adjusted at least in the x-y plane to display merchandise in retail stores. The invention is of particular use in supermarkets to display various products resting on a base, while providing a mobile and easily transportable display base.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Traditional product displays in retail stores are stationary. This presents a problem when the area below the display needs to be cleaned because the displays are difficult to move without disassembly. Bulk or packaged merchandise is typically stacked on the floor, leaving a ring of dirt in an area when the merchandise is relocated, because the stacks could not be moved when the surrounding area was being cleaned. It is cumbersome to maneuver around the product area.  
           [0004]    The field of dollies or carriers for supporting equipment suggests a mobile display. U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,031, for example, discloses a work dolly adjustable in width, length, and height, and which can distribute applied loads through supporting structure and wheeled support to the ground. Thus, the dolly can support loads of substantial weight and of varying configuration. The dolly includes a substantially rectangular frame comprising adjustable end pieces and adjustable side pieces connected together at their opposite ends. A wheeled support is provided at each juncture of the end members and the side members so that a wheeled construction is provided. Adjustable legs are provided at each juncture of the end members and side members so that the height may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of configured loads. Detachable fasteners are used to place the adjusted end members and side members in a discrete, selected location as well as the legs in a discrete, selected height position. The end members and side members are composed of apertured members of square cross-section and are arranged in telescoping relationship between inserted sections so that adjustment can be provided.  
           [0005]    Another example of an adjustable mobile base for equipment and machinery is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,817. The base includes a closed loop frame which has a plurality of angled members and a plurality of tubular connectors interconnecting the angled members. Each of the angled members is formed with a corner and has two tube sections. Each of the tube sections has a pair of opposing side walls formed with a plurality of discrete, spaced first through holes which extend in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the tube section. Each of the angled members further has a triangular support plate secured on the corner for supporting the machine. Each of the tubular connectors has two ends slidably inserted into a respective one of the tube sections of the angled members. Each of the tubular connectors further has a pair of opposing side walls formed with a plurality of discrete, spaced second through holes which are aligned with the first engaging through holes. A plurality of locking bolt units respectively extend through the aligned first and second through holes so as to join the tubular connectors and the angled members. Adjustment of the size of the mobile base is achieved by varying the degree of insertion of the tube connectors in the tube sections of the angled members, thereby permitting the mobile base to fit machines of different sizes.  
           [0006]    Such adjustable mobile bases have a number of drawbacks that render them disadvantageous for use as product displays in retail stores such as supermarkets. Two of these drawbacks are highlighted. First, the bases require time consuming and difficult alignment of through holes, as well as insertion and removal of fasteners into and from the aligned through holes, to render the bases adjustable. Second, the frames of the bases define open loops, surrounding a large, central area which does not support the equipment or machinery. This open central area renders the bases unsuitable for stacking many products displayed in retail establishments.  
           [0007]    To overcome the shortcomings of traditional supermarket displays, the present invention relates to a new display base. The present invention is lightweight and can support merchandise of varying dimensions and weight. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved base that is easily adjustable in at least four directions. A related object of the invention is a frame that provides suitable support for the merchandise being displayed or transported through a store.  
           [0008]    Unlike traditional supermarket display bases fixed in one position, the adjustable display base can be rotationally positioned. It is still another object of the present invention to expand, allowing for repositioning of displays without disassembling them.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    To achieve these and other objects, and in view of its purposes, the present invention provides a mobile display base that can be adjusted to fit the size of the merchandise resting upon it. The display base is adjustable in at least four directions, moving throughout the x-y plane, and may optionally be adjustable upward and downward in the z-plane. The base conforms to any rectangular or square measurement within its expandable range, limited only by the dimensions of the components used to construct the device.  
           [0010]    The base is comprised of four identical quarter deck pieces which form the corners of the frame. The deck pieces are shaped to align with and abut each other when the base is in a completely closed position. The deck pieces expand through the provision of dowels slidably received in a series of legs. The legs project from a set of shoulders to enclose the dowels. The legs and dowels together act as the structural system enabling expansion in four directions, throughout the x-y plane. Slots are cut in the legs to ensure that the base can expand beyond the closed position. Projections such as screws or pins are placed into the slots to attach the dowels to the legs. The base readily expands in both the x- and y-directions while maintaining uniform structural support.  
           [0011]    The stems of casters connect the deck pieces to the shoulders. The casters have wheels which rotate to provide movement of the base while keeping the adjustable display base in constant contact with the floor. The casters are attached to the shoulders by placing the stem of a caster through a respective elbow of a shoulder and securing the stem with a fastener above a deck piece. Braces may be secured between the legs.  
           [0012]    A further component of the invention includes a pull mechanism to transport the adjustable display base. The pull mechanism can be attached to the corner of one of the shoulders. A yet further component of the invention includes one or more center support elements. A center support element can take the form of a flat center plate which can be remotely attached to the base unit by a tether or slideably attached to the base unit to permit expansion of the base unit. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a lip along each of the corners of the deck pieces to support any merchandise resting on the display base and prevent such merchandise from falling off the base. The lip may be adjustable in the z-direction.  
           [0013]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, but are not restrictive, of the invention.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0014]    The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawing are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawing are the following figures:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a top view of the adjustable display base according to the present invention shown in a closed position;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a top view of the adjustable display base illustrated in FIG. 1 shown in an open, expanded position;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a side view of one corner of the adjustable display base;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of one corner of the adjustable display base;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of one corner of the adjustable display base;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a side view of the display base with additional, optional components illustrated;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a top view of another embodiment of the adjustable display base of the present invention shown in the closed position;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 is a top view of the same embodiment depicted in FIG. 7 but shown in the open position;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 9 is a top view of another embodiment of the adjustable display base of the present invention shown in the closed position;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 10 is a top view of the same embodiment depicted in FIG. 9 but shown in the open position;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 11 is a side view of one contemplated projection; and  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 12 is a side view of the adjustable display base shown using the projection of FIG. 11. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]    Referring to the figures, in which like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the various figures that comprise the drawing, FIG. 1 shows the adjustable display base  10  comprised of four identical quarter deck pieces  12  forming equal corners of the base  10 . The deck pieces  12  are shaped to perpendicularly align and abut when the base  10  is in a closed position. FIG. 1 illustrates the closed position.  
         [0028]    Referring to FIG. 2, the deck pieces  12  are shown in an expanded position, depicting the structural support members and connecting members of the base  10 . Tubular legs  16  are permanently affixed to and project from shoulders  18 . Four shoulders  18  are provided, one shoulder  18  positioned at each of the four corners of the base  10 . Eight legs  16  are provided. Two legs  16  project from each shoulder  18 , one leg  16  from each of the two ends of a shoulder  18 .  
         [0029]    The legs  16  slidably enclose dowels  14  which form the four sides of the base  10 . The legs  16  slide along the dowels  14  in a telescoping fashion to close and expand the base  10  as needed to accommodate merchandise of different sizes. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 1 in the closed position, adjacent legs  16  abut or nearly abut to substantially enclose the dowels  14  completely. To attain one of the multiple possible expanded positions, as shown in FIG. 2, the user slides the legs  16  along the dowels  14  until the desired spacing of the deck pieces  12  is obtained.  
         [0030]    The deck pieces  12  may be made of wood, metal, plastic, or other suitable material having sufficient strength and rigidity to support merchandise. The legs  16  are preferably formed of rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC enables a smooth sliding action with minimal friction between the legs  16  and the dowels  14 . Like the deck pieces, the dowels  14  may be made of wood, metal, plastic, or other suitable material having sufficient strength and rigidity to support heavy merchandise. Also like the deck pieces, the shoulders  18  may be made of wood, metal, plastic, or other suitable material having sufficient strength and rigidity to support heavy merchandise. Like the legs  16 , the shoulders  18  may also be made of rigid PVC. In fact, the shoulders  18  and the legs  16  may be constructed together as an integral, monolithic, single unit rather than as the multi-piece structures illustrated. A single, molded unit is contemplated. The dowels  14 , legs  16 , and shoulders  18  together act as the structural system enabling expansion of the base  10  in four directions (i.e., in the positive and negative x- and y-directions) in the x-y plane. FIG. 6 includes an x-y-z coordinate system in relation to the base  10  as a frame of reference.  
         [0031]    As illustrated in FIG. 3, a caster  20  is provided at each of the four corners of the base  10 . Each of the four casters  20  comprises a stem and a small wheel on a swivel. One of the casters  20  is attached to one of the shoulders  18  by placing the stem of the caster  20  through a hole in the elbow of the shoulder  18 . A washer  50  may be provided around the stem of the caster  20  and between the top of the shoulder  18  and the bottom of the deck piece  12  to better seat the deck piece  12  on the shoulder  18 .  
         [0032]    The stem of the caster  20  further extends through a hole in the deck piece  12  supported on the shoulder  18  and is secured to the deck piece  12  (and, therefore, to the shoulder  18 ) by a fastener  28  (e.g., a clamp, nut, hold down, lock, or the like). The fastener  28  is preferably recessed within a seat at the top of the hole in the deck piece  12  so that the deck pieces  12  combine to provide a flat surface for receiving merchandise; no components extend above the top plane formed by the four deck pieces  12  within the area of the support surface. Thus, the casters  20  are attached to the base  10  with the wheels of the casters  20  extending under the base  10 . The wheels of the casters  20  rotate to facilitate movement of the base  10  while supporting the base  10  on and in contact with a floor. A lock or brake (not shown) may be provided to engage the wheels and prevent movement of the base  10  as desired.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of one corner of the adjustable display base. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a component such as a T-nut fastener may be added as a caster socket  56 . The function of this component is to add strength to the device, offering reinforcement.  
         [0034]    Each deck piece  12  rests on a respective shoulder  18  and on the two legs  16  which extend from that shoulder  18 . To assure maximum support of the deck pieces  12  (and, in turn, the merchandise resting upon the deck pieces  12 ), the legs  16  extend to and terminate at approximately the outer edges of the deck pieces  12 . This configuration also assures that the deck pieces can substantially abut, without interference by adjacent legs  16 , when the base  10  is in the closed position. The substantially coextensive extent of the legs  16  and the deck pieces  12  is illustrated in FIGS.  2 - 6 .  
         [0035]    A set of four braces  26  may optionally be provided on base  10 . The braces  26  serve at least two functions. First, the braces  26  further support and provide rigidity to the respective deck pieces  12  to which the braces  26  are attached. Second, at least when the shoulders  18  and the legs  16  are not formed as an integral component, the braces  26  extend across the two legs  16  which engage a shoulder  18  and have a width equal to the height that the top of the shoulder  18  extends above the tops of the legs  16 . Thus, the braces  26  and the top of the shoulder  18  form a level plane supporting the deck piece  12 . To serve their functions, the braces  26  may be made of wood, metal, plastic, or other suitable material having sufficient strength and rigidity to support heavy merchandise. The braces  26  are attached to the underside of the deck pieces  12  in any conventional manner, such as via glue, fasteners, or the like.  
         [0036]    Exemplary components that facilitate the telescoping engagement between the legs  16  and the dowels  14  are illustrated in FIG. 5. Slots  22  are cut in the legs  16  to form a channel in each leg  16 . A screw, thumbscrew, nail, pin, rivet, or other projection  24  is affixed to the dowel  14 . For example, a thumbscrew may be seated in a metal insert placed in the dowel  14 . A sealing washer made of polychloroprene (available under the trademark Neoprene® from E. I. DuPont deNemours &amp; Co., Inc. of Wilmington, Del.) may be used with the thumbscrew to provide a locking mechanism.  
         [0037]    The projection  24  extends outwardly from the dowel  14  and is held in the slot  22 . As the legs  16  slide along the dowels  14 , the projections  24  slide along the slots  22 . Unlike conventional telescoping structures, which offer discrete alignment holes and, therefore, discrete stopping points at which the telescoping components may be affixed, the combination of projections  24  and slots  22  of the present invention provides a continuum of potentially infinite affixed positions. Thus, the present invention provides a continuously adjustable securing mechanism for reversibly locking the telescoping mechanism into a predetermined position defining a specific length and width sized to accommodate merchandise to be supported by the base  10 . When the projections  24  reach the ends of the slots  22 , further sliding of the legs  16  relative to the dowels  14  is prevented. Therefore, the legs  16  cannot slide completely off the dowels  14 ; separation of the base  10  is prevented.  
         [0038]    Alternatively, in order to lock the dowel  14  relative to the leg  16 , and prevent sliding motion, the projection  24  may be a catch such as, but not limited to, a cam lever assembly  48  comprising a quick-release cam lever  44  pivotally attached to a screw  46  or other fastener. Such exemplary components are illustrated in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a side view of the base  10  shown using the projection  24  of FIG. 11.  
         [0039]    Further components of the invention are depicted in FIG. 6. First, a pull mechanism  34  may be provided to facilitate transportation of the adjustable display base  10  by a user. The pull mechanism  34  can be attached to the corner of one of the shoulders  18 ; alternative attachment points are possible. Second, shields  30  may be provided around the wheels of the casters  20 . The shields  30  function to improve the aesthetics of the base  10  and to protect the casters  20 . Third, the top surface of the deck pieces  12  can be provided with a sticky or tacky substance, or can be ribbed or corrugated, to better retain merchandise on that surface.  
         [0040]    Finally, a lip  32  may be provided along the edge of each of the deck pieces  12 . The lip  32  functions to support any merchandise resting on the display base  10  and prevent such merchandise from falling off the base  10 , especially during movement of the base  10 . The lip  32  may be adjusted in the vertical or z-direction. Thus, the lip  32  may be raised or lowered to accommodate merchandise of various heights.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 7 illustrates one preferred embodiment of the present invention in the closed position. The base  10  is further provided with a center plate  36  and an L-shaped member  50  attached to each corner. The center plate  36  and each L-shaped member  38  are approximately flush to provide a flat surface for supporting merchandise. In the closed position, the center plate  36  also performs an ornamental feature by giving a smooth, aesthetically pleasing appearance to the base  10  when viewed from above. The center plate  36  may be affixed to the base  10  by a tether  52  to maintain the invention as a single unit for handling or storage purposes. Optional omission of a portion of the interior corner on each of the L-shape members  38  facilitates finger removal of the center plate  36  from the base unit  10 . As illustrated in FIG. 7, such omission creates a chamfer  54 .  
         [0042]    Referring to FIG. 8, the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 7 is shown in an expanded position. From this view it can be appreciated that, when the base  10  is in the expanded position, the center plate  36  provides an increased interior surface area to support more securely a plurality of adjacent merchandise in contact with and supported by the base  10 . Therefore, especially in combination with the deck pieces  12 , the center plate  36  offers advantages typically absent from conventional dollies in which an outer frame defines an open center area.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 9 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the present invention in the closed position. The base  10  is further provided with a center plate  36  having sections and an L-shaped member  38  attached to each corner. The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 further provides channels  40  and reversible connecting devices  42  (i.e., fasteners) on the plurality of sections that form center plate  36 . Each section of the center plate  36  is connected to two abutting deck pieces  12  by the reversible connecting devices  42  positioned in the channels  40 . The reversible connecting devices  42  may pass through holes in the deck pieces  12 . The result is a telescoping system that permits expansion of the base  10  in a first direction to the limit of the channels  40  and in a second direction to the limit of the slots  22 .  
         [0044]    Referring to FIG. 10, the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 9 is shown in an expanded position. From this view it can be appreciated that, when the base  10  is in the expanded position, the sections of the center plate  36  provide an increased interior surface area to support more securely a plurality of adjacent merchandise in contact with and supported by the base  10 .  
         [0045]    Although illustrated and described above with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples, the present invention is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the spirit of the invention. Certain ornamental additions, such as colored wheels, painted legs, and the like, for example, are contemplated. The present invention provides an adjustable, moveable, relatively light weight support for the merchandise displayed for sale in various retail stores.