Merchandise display system

A merchandise display system includes a support member and a locking bar. The support member, which may include a series of slotted rails, is adapted to receive display enclosures having an internal display space for displaying merchandise. Each display enclosure includes at least one locking tab which serves to support the enclosure on the support member and which cooperates with the locking bar to prevent removal of the enclosure from the support member when the locking bar is in a first position and to permit removal of the enclosure when the locking bar is in a second position. In a second embodiment of the display system a display rack is mounted in a frame. The display rack includes first and second spaced apart, substantially parallel side members. A plurality of separators are slidably coupled intermediate the first and second members and include retaining means, such as lips or flanges for engaging and retaining merchandise positioned between the separators.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to a merchandise display system. 
More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for 
displaying merchandise in a retail setting that allows the merchandise to 
be secured against pilferage, while still permitting it to be examined by 
potential buyers and readily removed from display when selected by a 
customer for purchase. 
A constant challenge for retail sales establishments is the effective 
display of merchandise to the buying public. The system must allow 
customers to examine merchandise sufficiently to make a decision to buy, 
while protecting the merchant against pilferage. Such systems must also be 
relatively space-efficient to allow a merchant to display as much product 
as possible per unit of sales area. Where such systems rely on locking 
mechanisms to restrict access to the merchandise, these mechanisms must be 
susceptible to quick and easy opening and closing by sales personnel. 
Finally, the structure and operation of the system must be suitable to the 
product being displayed. 
A number of products pose problems in this regard, particularly merchandise 
packaged in relatively regular enclosures such as compact discs, music 
cassettes and computer software. While a number of systems have been 
proposed or adapted for the display for sale of such products, no system 
has satisfactorily fulfilled the criteria mentioned above. Such products 
are often displayed in open-access display stands, providing little or no 
security against pilferage and limiting the number of titles that 
potential buyers can view simultaneously. In other known display systems, 
locking showcases are provided with openings small enough to prevent 
removal of merchandise, while still permitting buyers to insert their 
hands into the cases to handle and examine the merchandise. Such showcases 
are often heavy and bulky and require that the entire case be opened for 
organizing and restocking merchandise. In another known approach, 
particularly adapted to the display of regularly shaped packages such as 
for compact discs, music cassettes and computer software, each item of 
merchandise is placed in a larger plastic or paper package that can be 
displayed in large open bins. Where the product is packaged in a paper 
box, a large quantity of waste paper is generated that is simply discarded 
by the buyer. However, where no such packaging or display case is used, 
the risk of significant loss by pilferage increases. 
The present invention is directed to overcoming or minimizing the drawbacks 
of known display techniques. In particular, the invention is directed to a 
display system that allows the buying public to view and examine 
merchandise, while offering considerable security to merchants. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a 
merchandise display system including a framework having a support member 
and a locking member, the support member being adapted to receive at least 
one locking tab or an attachment member associated with an article of 
merchandise for supporting the article for display on the support member. 
The locking member is adapted to interact with the locking tab to prevent 
removal of the merchandise from the support member when the locking member 
is in a first position with respect to the locking tab and to permit 
removal of the merchandise enclosure when the locking member is in a 
second position with respect to the locking tab. 
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a merchandise display 
system includes a locking section including a plurality of locking bars. 
The system also includes a display section including a support structure 
adapted to receive a plurality of removable display enclosures. The 
display section is coupled to the locking section and moveable with 
respect to the locking section between a closed position and an open 
position. The system further includes a plurality of display enclosures, 
each enclosure including an internal display space and a locking tab. The 
locking tab is suitably configured to cooperate with the support structure 
to releasably engage the display case on the support structure. In 
accordance with this aspect of the invention, each locking bar is adapted 
to cooperate with a locking tab of at least one display enclosure to 
prevent removal of the display enclosure when the display section is in 
the closed position and to permit removal of the display enclosure when 
the display section is in the open position. 
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the merchandise 
display system includes a frame and at least one display rack mounted on 
the frame. The display rack has first and second side members extending in 
substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation. At least one separator is 
slidably coupled intermediate the first and second side members. The 
separators include retaining means for engaging and retaining merchandise 
positioned in the display space.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Turning now to the drawings and referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a display 
system 10 is illustrated as including a framework 12 for supporting a 
number of articles of merchandise, such as in display cases or enclosures 
14 for displaying compact discs, computer software packages and the like. 
Although regularly-shaped articles and enclosures 14 are illustrated in 
the FIGURES, display system 10 is equally suited for displaying 
irregularly-shaped merchandise as well as articles of various sizes. 
Because enclosures 14 are secured in system 10 independently of one 
another, display system 10 need not be completely filled with enclosures 
14 to provide security for the enclosures mounted in system 10. Display 
system 10 includes a lock 16 for securing the case in a closed or locked 
position as illustrated in FIG. 1. Framework 12 includes a stationary or 
fixed section 18 and a moveable section 20. In the embodiment illustrated 
in FIG. 2, stationary section 18 is a rectangular frame having a central 
aperture 22, while moveable section 20 is a similar frame surrounding a 
central aperture 24. Section 20 is pivotally mounted to stationary section 
18 by, for instance, a conventional axle rod (not shown), and can be 
nested within section 18. Display system 10 is installed, such as in a 
retail shop, by attaching stationary section 18 to a wall or support 26 by 
any appropriate means, such as by bolts (not shown). Alternatively, 
display system 10 may be used as a free-standing unit by including 
suitable legs or a base (not shown) on section 18. 
Display system 10 permits merchandise contained in enclosures 14 to be 
examined easily, prevents removal of the merchandise when the system is in 
a closed or locked position, and permits removal when the system is in an 
opened or unlocked position. In the first preferred embodiment shown in 
FIGS. 1 and 2, frame section 20 is mounted pivotally on stationary section 
18 and is moveable about an axis 28 between a closed or locked position 
(FIG. 1) and an open or unlocked position (FIG. 2). A series of locking 
members or bars 30 is rigidly mounted in stationary section 18, and a 
series of support members or rails 32 is mounted within frame section 20 
to support merchandise enclosures 14. Locking bars 30 cooperate with 
merchandise attachment members, such as enclosures 14 to prevent removal 
of merchandise from support rails 32 when frame section 20 is in the 
closed position. 
In an alternative arrangement of stationary section 18, a flat sheet 34 may 
be provided without a peripheral frame, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In this 
arrangement, section 20 is pivotally mounted on sheet 34 by means of a 
hinge 36, and system 10 is installed by attachment of sheet 34 to a wall 
or support 26. Locking bars 30 are secured to sheet 34 and cooperate with 
enclosures 14 to prevent their removal as previously mentioned. In either 
arrangement, locking bars 30 are preferably metal bars having an L-shaped 
cross section, fixed to stationary section 18 or sheet 34 (e.g. by tack 
welding) and extending perpendicularly with respect to support rails 32. 
Support rails 32 are mounted within frame section 20 and are pivotable 
about a vertical axis 38 such that potential buyers may leaf through 
columns of merchandise displayed in enclosures 14. In this embodiment, 
each rail 32 includes upper and lower mounting projections 40 and 42 
respectively, and frame section 20 is provided with a series of upper and 
lower bores 44 and 46 for receiving projections 40 and 42 of a 
corresponding series of rails 32. This arrangement permits rails 32 to 
move with frame section 20 into the opened and closed positions and to 
pivot freely within frame section 20 both in the open and the closed 
positions. 
Where merchandise is positioned in display enclosures 14, each enclosure 14 
preferably includes an open end 50 through which merchandise 48 may be 
positioned within enclosure 14. To facilitate supporting and locking 
enclosure 14 on rail 32, each enclosure 14 is provided with at least one 
L-shaped tab 52 and preferably a plurality of L-shaped tabs extending from 
a rear edge 54 surrounding open end 50. Tabs 52 extend through and mate 
with corresponding slots 56 in rails 32 (FIG. 4). In this embodiment, each 
enclosure 14 includes four such tabs arranged in pairs along rear edge 54. 
Alternatively, each enclosure 14 could include a pair of tabs, arranged 
one tab on each side of edge 54, or a single tab extending along the upper 
side of rear edge 54, slots 56 being located and oriented on rails 32 
accordingly. 
Enclosures 14 are mounted onto rails 32 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Each tab 
52 includes an upper interference surface 58 that cooperates with a 
locking bar 30. An engagement recess 60 is formed between each tab 52 and 
rear edge 54 of enclosure 14. The height of tabs 52 is slightly inferior 
to the height of slots 56, so tabs 52 may be aligned with and moved 
through slots 56 when enclosure 14 is positioned onto rail 32. Moreover, 
recesses 60 are dimensioned such that, with tabs 50 sufficiently inserted 
into slots 56, enclosure 14 may be lowered slightly to engage rail 32 
within recesses 60. Once enclosure 14 is thus supported on rail 32, open 
end 50 is covered and closed by rail 32. 
When display system 10 is in its closed or locked position, locking bars 30 
are located slightly above interference surfaces 58 of tabs 52 to 
effectively prevent removal of enclosures 14 from rails 32. As illustrated 
in FIG. 5, tabs 52 extend through rails 32 and beneath locking bar 30, so 
that any attempt to lift and remove enclosure 14 will cause contact 
between interference surface 58 and locking bar 30 before enclosure 14 can 
be lifted sufficiently to allow tabs 52 to clear slots 56. Although a 
locking bar 30 may be provided for each pair of tabs 52 on each enclosure 
14, preferably a single locking bar is provided for one pair of tabs 52 on 
each enclosure 14. In this manner, an enclosure 14 positioned at any 
location along rail 32 will be effectively secured by a locking bar 30 
cooperating with either pair of tabs 52. Moreover, tabs 52 preferably 
extend sufficiently through rail 32 to maintain this locking relationship 
while rail 32 is pivoted about axis 38. Rail 32 includes rear corners 62 
that contact locking bars 32 to limit the angular displacement of rails 32 
and to ensure that at least one tab 52 on each enclosure 14 remains in the 
interference relationship with a locking bar 32 as described above. As 
frame section 20 is moved away from stationary section 18 and into its 
opened or unlocked position, locking bars 30 no longer interfere with tabs 
52 and enclosures 14 may be freely removed from rails 32. 
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, enclosure 14 may be formed as a 
single-piece article or in two mating pieces. Either or both 
configurations may be used simultaneously on display system 10, such as 
for displaying compact discs or computer software packages of different 
thicknesses. Where enclosure 14 is a single-piece unit, it is preferably a 
box structure molded of a clear plastic material enclosing a central 
display space 64 bounded by side faces 66 spaced apart by an edge face 67. 
Open end 50 allows merchandise to be inserted into display space 64 as 
discussed above. Side faces 66 may be continuous sheets of transparent 
material as illustrated in the FIGURES, or may include at least one 
aperture for viewing merchandise within enclosure 14. Where enclosure 14 
is a two-piece structure, projections 68, preferably having an L-shaped 
cross section, are provided along a front edge 70 of a first portion 72 of 
the enclosure, while corresponding apertures 74 are provided in a second 
portion 76. First and second portions 72 and 76 are assembled by inserting 
projections 68 into apertures 74 and closing the two portions around 
display space 64. 
Irregularly-shaped merchandise or merchandise of various sizes may be 
mounted in display system 10 using an alternative attachment member or 
bracket 77 as illustrated in FIG. 8. Bracket 77 may be attached to an 
article of merchandise by any suitable means, such as by a suitable 
adhesive, strap, pin or the like. Once attached to an article of 
merchandise, bracket 77 may be supported in display system 10 via locking 
tabs 52 as described above. 
An alternative configuration for locking bars 30 is illustrated in FIG. 9. 
In this arrangement, locking bars 30 are fabricated from a flat bar 78 in 
which a series of flanges 80 are cut and bent to project substantially 
perpendicularly to bar 78. Flanges 80 are appropriately located to contact 
interference surfaces 58 of tabs 52 to prevent removal of enclosures 14 in 
the same manner as previously described. It will be noted that locking 
bars having this configuration are arranged in stationary section 18 
parallel to rails 32 and in locations corresponding to locations of rails 
32 in the closed or locked position of display system 10. 
A second preferred embodiment of the present display system is illustrated 
in FIGS. 10 and 11 and designated by the reference numeral 110. In this 
embodiment, system 110 includes a framework 112 comprising a rectangular 
frame 114 surrounding a central aperture 116. A series of supports 118 is 
mounted pivotally within aperture 116 and a locking arrangement 120 is 
provided atop frame 114 for retaining merchandise within supports 118. 
Where the security of the merchandise displayed within system 110 is not 
of concern, such as where system 110 replaces conventional open-access 
display stands, locking mechanism 120 may be omitted from this embodiment. 
As shown in FIG. 11, each support 118 includes a rear support bar 122 and a 
front support bar 124 extending parallel to rear support bar 122. Front 
support bar 124 has a free upper end 126 and is coupled to rear support 
bar 124 by a lower connecting member 128. Rear support bar 122 includes 
upper and lower pivot pins 130 and 132 that are received in corresponding 
bores 134 in frame 114 during assembly of display system 110 to permit 
pivotal movement of support 118, such as for leafing through several 
columns of merchandise displayed on a series of supports 118. The height 
of support 118 and the distance between rear support bar 122 and front 
support bar 124 are a function of the number and overall dimensions of the 
merchandise packages to be displayed in system 110. 
In this embodiment, prior to mounting support 118 in frame 114, separators 
136 are slidably engaged on rear and front support bars 122, 124. The 
number of separators 136 included on each support 118 depends upon the 
dimensions of the merchandise articles 138 to be displayed and the height 
of support 118. Generally, a sufficient number of separators 136 is 
included to permit stacking of merchandise over the entire height of 
support 118. Where locking mechanism 120 is included in display system 
110, it may be necessary to maintain support 118 full to limit the range 
of sliding movement of separators 136 and thereby prevent removal of 
merchandise 138. A spacer 140 of appropriate height may be provided for 
this purpose. 
Separators 136 serve to separate, support, and retain merchandise within 
support 118. As shown in FIG. 12, separator 136 includes an upper rim or 
flange 142 and a lower rim or flange 144 forming a peripheral wall. 
Alternatively, flanges 142, 144 could be replaced by a plurality of 
upwardly and downwardly-extending projections or similar interrupted 
flange-type retainers. Upper and lower flanges 142, 144 are separated by a 
barrier 146 in which apertures 148, 150 are formed to receive rear support 
bar 122 and front support bar 124 respectively, such that separator 136 
may be freely displaced upwardly and downwardly along support 118. 
Articles of merchandise 138 positioned above and below separator 136 fit 
within flanges 142, 144 and are separated from one another by barrier 146. 
To remove an article of merchandise from support 118, the separator 136 
immediately above the article to be removed is raised a sufficient 
distance to permit the article to clear lower flange 144 of the separator 
and the article is removed laterally. 
Display system 110 may be made secure against pilferage by inclusion of 
locking mechanism 120 as illustrated in FIG. 13. Locking mechanism 120 
includes a locking bar 152 mounted atop framework 112 to pivot about a 
horizontal axis 154. In the presently preferred embodiment, locking bar 
152 is joined to frame 114 by a hinge 156 and is pivotable between a lower 
or locked position and a raised or unlocked position (shown in broken 
lines in FIG. 13). A lock 158 is provided in locking bar 152 and includes 
a locking lever 160. Lever 160 swings into and out of engagement with a 
locking pin 162 on frame 114 as lock 158 is locked and unlocked. In the 
locked position, locking bar 152 forms an upper stop for the column of 
separators 136, merchandise 138 and any spacers 140 positioned on support 
118, effectively limiting movement of any separator 136 to a distance 
insufficient to permit removal of merchandise 138. In the unlocked 
position, merchandise 138 may be freely removed as discussed above. 
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative 
forms, specific embodiments have been shown and described by way of 
example in the foregoing drawings and description. However, it should be 
understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the 
particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is intended to cover all 
modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and 
scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.