Abstract:
The described embodiments of the present invention include a system and method for display. The display includes a mounting having a ferrous component, the mounting being adapted for the display of an item. The display system also includes a tag. The tag has a display surface for display of a desired message and has a magnet attached thereto. The magnet provides an attractive force to the ferrous component when the tag is placed on the mounting.  
     This abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the rules requiring an abstract to allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure contained herein. This abstract is submitted with the express understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of display systems for retails sales and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of merchandise display using magnetically adherent tagging.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The display of jewelry for retail presents many challenges. Because of its small size and delicacy, it is generally not desirable or feasible to provide a tag that directly adheres to the product. The tagging of jewelry is generally achieved in the industry in one of two ways.  
           [0003]    The first method is small tags attached to a loop of string. The loop is tied to the merchandise, generally by threading a loop of the string through an opening in the jewelry and pulling the tag through the loop. Because this task is tedious, it is often avoided by staff and delays occur in pricing and promotions. In addition, the labor cost for setting and changing the tags is great, either in direct costs or time that sales staff are not spending with customers. An additional problem with tags is that it is difficult to maintain a neat, professional display because the tags hang loose from their item.  
           [0004]    The second method uses tape to directly attach tags to the display. This provides a less than optimal appearance and may damage the displays, which are often covered in expensive, delicate materials. A tagging system that avoids string tags and taping is a significant step forward in the art.  
           [0005]    Magnets have been used in display systems in the prior art for the display of jewelry. For example, Christman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,820 shows a system where magnetic display cards are use. Earrings are mounted to the display card and magnetic attraction holds the display cards to the display case. In Knox, U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,777, magnets are used in the display case itself to hold items that include ferrometalic components. However, the prior art does not provide a solution for the problem of providing easily changed tags for retail displays.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0006]    The described embodiments of the present invention include a system for display. The display includes a mounting having a ferrous component, the mounting being adapted for the display of an item. The display system also include a tag. The tag has a display surface for display of a desired message and has a magnet attached thereto. The magnet provides an attractive force to the ferrous component when the tag is placed on the mounting.  
           [0007]    Another described embodiment of the present invention is also a display device. The display device includes a surface of the display device which has a ferrous component. Examples of the ferrous component are a dot of stainless steel and a substrate of stainless steel. The display device further includes a mounting. The mounting is adapted for the display of an item. The display devices also includes a tag. The tag has a display surface for display of a desired message and has a magnet attached thereto. The magnet provides an attractive force to the ferrous component when the tag is placed on the surface.  
           [0008]    In another described embodiment of the present invention is a method for display of an item. A display is provided having a mounting including a ferrous component, the mounting being adapted for the display of the item. Also provided is a tag. The tag has a display surface for display of a desired message and has a magnet attached thereto. The magnet provides an attractive force to the ferrous component when the tag is placed on the mounting.  
           [0009]    Yet another described embodiment of the present invention is also a method for display of an item. A display device is provided that includes a surface of the display device which has a ferrous component. Also provided is a mounting. The mounting is adapted for the display of the item. In addition, a tag is provided. The tag has a display surface for display of a desired message and has a magnet attached thereto. The magnet provides an attractive force to the ferrous component when the tag is placed on the surface.  
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a side view of the display mounting of the embodiment of FIG. 1;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one version of the substrate of the display mounting of the embodiment of FIG. 1;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another version of the substrate of the display mounting of the embodiment of FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention:  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 is a frontal view of a sign system comprising another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 is a frontal view of a window display system comprising another embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a literature display system comprising another embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. Display device  10  includes a plurality of display positions  12 A,  12 B and  12 C. Each display position includes necklace mounting slots  14  in a display mounting  16 . The display mounting  16  serves as the primary display device for this embodiment. These necklace mounting slots allow insertion of the chain of a necklace. In practice, just enough chain is allowed on the front of display mounting  16  to allow the pendant of the necklace to hang in the center of display mounting  16 . After the necklace (not shown) is placed in the necklace mounting slots  14 , the display mounting  16  is inserted into its position. Each display mounting  16  includes a loop  22  that allows for easy removal of display mounting  16  from base  24 .  
         [0021]    Base  24  may be structured and buttressed in many ways known in the art to provide a solid base for positioning the display mounting  16 . In addition, both the base  24  and the display mounting  16  are preferably covered in a soft but durable covering  28  to provide a elegant display. A preferred covering is a padded Vienna Leatherette. This covering is preferred because it is highly washable and durable while providing a soft elegant feel to the touch. While Vienna Leatherette may be included in a preferred embodiment of the invention, many other coverings may be suitably used. For example, suede leather, silk fabric and velvet fabric may be advantageously used. In addition, non-fabric finishes may be used, such as wood veneer and high quality plastic finishes. In a further alternative, base  24  and/or display mounting  16  may be formed of plastic using, for example, an injection molding process where the resulting finish is suitable for use in the display.  
         [0022]    In addition to necklace mounting slots  14 , display mounting  16  includes earring mounting holes  18 . These holes allow for the display of stud type earrings for pierced ears. Using both necklace mounting slots  14  and earring mounting holes  18 , a matching set of earrings and a necklace may be displayed in one display position. As shown in FIG. 1, the display mounting  16  for position  12 C has earrings mounted at all four earring mounting holes  18 . The display mounting  16  for position  12 A includes earrings mounted in two of the earring mounting holes  18 . Although the current embodiment shows the use of necklace mounting slots  14  and earring mounting holes  18  for the display of items, it is important to note that the invention is not limited to any particular configuration for the display of merchandise, but rather is directed to a structure and method for displaying tags in conjunction with the display of merchandise.  
         [0023]    At each display position  12 A,  12 B and  12 C, one or more magnetic tags  26  may be placed onto the surface of display. The tags serve as a secondary display device in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, magnetic tag  26  consists of a display surface  32  mounted to a magnet  34 . A desired message is printed on or applied to the top display surface  32 . This provides desired messages, such as “Sale” or “Special Purchase”. In addition, the message may simply be the logo of the retailer or manufacturer of the product on display. In addition, the message may be a three dimensional design to provide a particularly elegant message.  
         [0024]    The magnetic tag  26  is held to display mounting  16  by magnetic attraction. Display mounting  26  includes mounting substrate  36 , which is covered with covering  28  as described earlier. Mounting substrate  36  may include a number of configurations. One configuration is shown in FIG. 3. Mounting substrate  36 ( a ) consists of a solid plate  40  of steel, which is machined to include earring mounting holes  18  and necklace mounting slots  14 . Preferably, plate  40  consists of stainless steel because of its durability and long term corrosion resistance. Because mounting substrate  36 ( a ) consists of a ferrous metal, magnetic tag  26  will be held to the surface of display mounting  16 .  
         [0025]    Another embodiment of mounting substrate  36  is shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, mounting substrate  36 ( b ) consists of main plate  42  and ferrous insert  44 . Main plate  42  is preferably formed from a stiff material that is easy to manufacture and machine. Examples of such materials are wood, plastic and cardboard. Earring mounting holes  18  and necklace mounting slots  14  are machined into main plate  42  using known machining techniques. In an additional embodiment, main plate  42  is formed by injection molding of plastic. The mold used to form the main plate of this embodiment includes earring mounting holes  18  and necklace mounting slots  14 . Therefore, a separate machining step to form earring mounting holes  18  and necklace mounting slots  14  is not necessary.  
         [0026]    An opening is either formed or machined into main plate  42  for mounting ferrous insert  44 . The opening is formed having the same shape and slightly smaller than ferrous insert  44 . Ferrous insert  44  is pressed into the opening and is held in place by friction. Ferrous insert  44  is shown in FIG. 4 as a round insert, but may be any desired shape. Preferably, ferrous insert is composed of stainless steel. However, any material capable of magnetic attraction may be suitably used, even if the material is not technically an iron containing metal. A “ferrous” material or metal as it used in this specification only refers to materials that are capable of magnetic attraction and may or may not be metallic or iron containing.  
         [0027]    The configuration of mounting substrate  36 ( b ) is a preferred embodiment because it is inexpensive to fabricate relative to the embodiment of  36 ( a ). In addition, the embodiment of  36 ( b ) only allows placement of magnetic tags  26  in the selected spot where ferrous insert  44  is placed. The magnetic tag  26  will not adhere to other positions on the display mounting  16  because there is no material at those other positions that will produce a magnetic attractive force with magnet  34 . This placement is selected so that the tag is centered and in an ideal viewing position, thus insuring a professional appearance, even if the sales associate is sloppy in placing the tag on the display device  10 .  
         [0028]    Of importance, although ferrous insert  44  is shown in the configuration of a dot or small circle, the scope of the invention is by no means limited to that configuration. Ferrous insert  44  may be square, oval, rectangular or any other shape. The specific configuration of ferrous insert  44  is only exemplary. In addition, this and other embodiments of the present invention in this application are configured with a ferrous element in the display and a magnet in the tag. The reverse of this configuration is also with the scope of the present invention and many be used in all of the described embodiments. For example, ferrous insert  44  may be magnetic and magnet  34  may be a ferrous material. Further, with if the ferrous insert  44  is replaced with a magnet, magnet  34  may be omitted if display surface  32  is formed using a ferrous material. In this case, the display surface will adhere directly to insert  44 . In addition, the present invention is not limited to the used of magnetic attatraction as the force for holding magnetic tag  26  in place. For example, insert  44  may be replace with a Velcro layer (either the hooks or loops layer). In this case, magnet  34  would be replaced with a mating Velcro layer. Many methods for securing magnetic tags  26  will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the teachings of this written description.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention. Display device  110  includes three padded slots  112 . Cloth covered foam is inserted on opposing sides of the padded slots  112 . A finger ring (not shown) can they be displayed in display device  110  by inserting the finger ring into a padded slot  112 . The finger ring is held firmly between the cloth covered foam. At least the top surface  114  of the display device  110  includes a ferrous based substrate (not shown), such as stainless steel. The substrate may be entirely ferrous, except for the openings for padded slots  112 , or only selected portions of the substrate may be ferrous, such as positioned dots, rectangles, etc. Preferably, top surface  114  is fabricated using Vienna Leatherette covering a ferrous based substrate as in display mounting  16  of the embodiment of FIG. 1. This allows for the placement of magnetic tags  26  as shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, the substrate of surface  114  may be a generally a non-ferrous material with ferrous inserts (not shown) similar to those used with substrate  36 ( b ) of FIG. 4.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention. Display device  210  includes a base  212 . Extending from the base  212  is a display projection  214 . At the end of projection  214 , a slot  216  is cut. A finger ring (not shown) can they be displayed in display device  210  sliding the finger ring over projection  214 . At least the base  212  of the display device  210  includes a ferrous based substrate (not shown), such as stainless steel. Preferably, base  212  is fabricated using Vienna Leatherette covering a ferrous based substrate as similar to substrate  36 ( a ) as used in display mounting  16  of the embodiment of FIG. 1. This allows for the placement of magnetic tag  26  as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, the substrate of base  212  may be a generally a non-ferrous material with ferrous inserts (not shown) similar to those used with substrate  36 ( b ) of FIG. 4. As another alternative, display projection  214  may consist of a structural substrate (not shown) covered with a flexible material, such as Vienna Leatherette. The structural substrate of display projection  214  may be entirely or partially formed from a ferrous material. This would allow placement of a magnetic tag  26  on display projection  214 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention. Display device  310  consists of a substrate (not shown) consisting of a flat sheet that is formed into a shape having a side profile resembling the number 2. The base is flat so that display device  310  will stand on a counter. The substrate is covered in a flexible covering  312 . One suitable covering is Vienna Leatherette. Holes  314  are formed in the display device  310  and allow for the display of earrings and the like. The holes  314  may be expanded for the display of cuff links or other items that require a larger hole. The substrate of display device  310  includes a ferrous based material, such as stainless steel. Preferably, the substrate is entirely formed of the ferrous based material, similarly to the display mounting  16  of the embodiment of FIG. 1. This allows for the placement of magnetic tags  26  as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, the substrate may be a generally a non-ferrous material with ferrous inserts (not shown) similar to those used with substrate  36 ( b ) of FIG. 4.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the present invention comprising a literature display stand having replaceable tags. Literature holder  410  is configured to hold brochures and the like on a counter top. The particular configuration of the literature holder is exemplary. Inserts  412  are ferrous inserts and are positioned to allow a secondary display provided by magnetic tags (not shown) on the front of the literature holder  410 . The positioning of inserts  412  is exemplary. Any position suitable for a secondary display may be used.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of th present invention comprising a display case having replaceable tags. Display window  510  includes a display shelf  512 , which may include permanent or removable display items as the primary display. As shown in FIG. 9, the front edge of display shelf  512  includes display shelf trim  514 . Display shelf trim  514  is shown in FIG. 9 as coplanar with glass  518 . In an alternative embodiment, glass  518  may cover the entire opening in display window  510  and display shelf trim would then be behind glass  518 . Inserted into the surface of display shelf trim  514  are ferrous inserts  516 . The ferrous inserts  516  provide for a place for magnetic tags (not shown) to be attached to the front of the display shelf  512  to provide a secondary display. The ferrous inserts may be in any suitable position for a secondary display. Their position in a display shelf trim  514  is only exemplary. As with the other embodiments, inserts  516  may be magnetic, in which case ferrous tags (not shown) would be used.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention comprising a sign having replaceable tags. In this embodiment, the primary display is a sign  610 . Embedded in to the face of sign  610  are steel inserts  612 . Of course, other ferrous materials may be substituted for steel and remain with in the scope of the present invention. Magnetic attachments  614  may be removably attached to sign  610 . The magnetic attachments each comprise a magnet  616 , a secondary display  618  and connector  620  connecting magnet  616  and secondary display  618 . Preferably, string  620  is a clear string formed with a nearly invisible material, such as nylon fishing line. This provides the illusion that the secondary displays  618  are floating. The magnetic attachments are attached to sign  610  by magnetic attraction between magnets  616  and steel inserts  612 . In FIG. 10, steel inserts  612  are positioned on the face of sign  610 . However, other positions may be used. For example, steel inserts  612  may be positioned on the bottom edge or the back of sign  610 . These positions have the advantage that the magnets  616  are less visible in these positions as opposed to the positions on the front of sign  610 , thus enhancing the impression that secondary display  618  is floating. As with other embodiments, steel inserts  610  may be substituted with a magnetic material and magnets  616  would then be substituted with a ferrous material. Preferably, magnets  616  are removably attached to string  620  using a compression clip (not shown), which allows magnets  616  to be reused with other secondary displays.  
         [0035]    Although the present invention has been described with regard to several embodiments, those embodiments are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Many embodiments of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the teachings of this written description. For example, the described embodiments are for the display of jewelry. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the display of jewelry. Any item that is capable of being held in a mounting may be advantageously used with an embodiment of the present invention that is adapted for that item. For example, the displays may be used to display eyeglasses, clothing, electronic goods, etc. The only limitation of the scope of the invention are the claims appended hereto and equivalents thereof.