Point of purchase display

A point of purchase display includes a frame having left and right legs and upper and lower cross-beams. Each leg has upper and lower portions joined at an angle. The right and left legs are parallel to each other and are joined by a center cross-beam and the upper and lower cross-beams. Upper and lower display inserts are connected to the frame and fitted in the voids defined by the center cross-beam and the upper or lower cross-beam, and the upper or lower portions of the right and left legs, respectively. Upper and lower retaining members detachably connect to the right and left legs for securing the upper and lower inserts to the frame. An electronic display unit with a multiple source power supply is mounted to one of the upper and lower display inserts. A connection assembly attaches the display to the truck bedside.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to merchandise information displays. More specifically, the invention relates to a merchandise information display configured for removably mounting to the merchandise, such as a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Point of purchase displays are commonly used in retail settings in the form of posters or kiosks situated in the vicinity of the merchandise on display, such as motor vehicles on display in a dealership showroom. Due to floor space constraints, however, and in the interest of providing traffic flow around the vehicles, these informational displays can often be placed out of the way or remotely from the vehicle. In such a sub-optimal placement, the dealership loses the advantage of having the information in front of the customer. A poster or window sticker can provide some coverage, but the dealership might want to display something more substantial on the vehicle. Such a display should be properly supported on the vehicle so as to prevent damage to the vehicle.

It would be advantageous to provide a point of purchase display that is configured for ready and secure attachment to the merchandise, such as a motor vehicle. It would be further advantageous to provide a point of purchase display that is also adaptable for mounting to other fixed structure in proximity to the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A point of purchase display includes a frame having left and right legs and upper and lower cross-beams. Each leg has upper and lower portions joined at an angle. The right and left legs are parallel to each other and are joined by a center cross-beam and the upper and lower cross-beams. Upper and lower display inserts are connected to the frame and fitted in the voids defined by the center cross-beam and the upper or lower cross-beam, and the upper or lower portions of the right and left legs, respectively. Upper and lower retaining members detachably connect to the right and left legs for securing the upper and lower inserts to the frame. An electronic display unit with a multiple source power supply is mounted to one of the upper and lower display inserts. A connection assembly attaches the display to the truck bedside.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, a point of purchase display100according to the invention includes a frame105and a pair of upper panels110and a lower panel120slidably received in the frame105. The upper panels110are received in an upper frame portion125. The lower panel120is received in a lower frame portion130.

The upper frame portion125includes a left upright member135, a right upright member140, an upper horizontal member145and a lower horizontal member150. The left and right upright members135,140are each in the form of a channel155,160having a width165. The channels155,160of the upright members135,140face inwardly toward each other from opposite sides of the upper frame portion125. The upper and lower horizontal members145,150also each include a channel170,175having a width165. The channels170,175face inwardly toward each other.

Each of the channels155,160,170,175includes a plurality of spacers180fixed therein. The spacers180are centered within each channel155,160,170,175. With reference to the left upright member135, the spacers180are dimensioned so that a gap185,190is formed between each spacer180and each of a pair of channel sidewalls195,200. The gaps185,190are configured to closely receive one of the upper panels110so that the spacers180hold the upper panels110against the sidewalls195,200. The right upright member140and the upper and lower horizontal members145,150are similarly configured, and cooperate with the left upright member to hold the upper panels110within the upper frame portion125. The upper horizontal member145is removably attached to the left and right upright members135,140. With the upper horizontal member145removed, the upper panels110can be inserted between the left and right upright members135,140, through the gaps185in the channels155,160, and into the channel175of the lower horizontal member150. The upper horizontal member145can then be reattached to the left and right upright members135,140.

The lower frame portion130includes a left side member205, a right side member210, an upper horizontal member215and a lower horizontal member220. The left and right side members205,210are each in the form of a channel225,230having a width235. The channels225,230of the side members205,210face inwardly toward each other from opposite sides of the lower frame portion130. The upper and lower horizontal members215,220also each include a channel240,245having a width235. The channels240,245face inwardly toward each other.

Each of the channels225,230,240,245, having a width235, is configured to closely receive the lower panel120. The lower horizontal member220is removably attached to the left and right side members205,210. With the lower horizontal member220removed, the lower panel120can be inserted between the left and right side members205,210and into the channel240of the upper horizontal member215, then the lower horizontal member220can be reattached to the left and right side members205,210. A resilient bumper250,255is attached at each lower corner260,265of the lower frame portion130.

The upper and lower frame portions125,130intersect at an angle α. The upper horizontal member215of the lower frame portion130is closely mated with and parallel to the lower horizontal member150of the upper frame portion125, and can be formed integrally therewith to form a central member277. The upright members135,140of the upper frame portion125and the side members215,220of the lower frame portion130intersect at a joint280,285forming the angle α, and can be integrally formed or permanently fixed, such as by welding.

A mounting assembly290,295extends rearwardly from each of the left and right upright members135,140proximate each joint280,285. Each mounting assembly290,295includes a horizontal leg300,305extending generally perpendicularly to the left and right upright members135,140. The horizontal leg300,305terminates in a depending “J” or “L”-shaped, inwardly directed hook310,315. A threaded fastener320,325having a handle330,335is received in a threaded aperture (not shown) in a lower portion340,345of each hook310,315.

A brace350is pivotally attached to the lower horizontal member220of the lower frame portion130at an upper pivot355. The brace350includes an upper elongate member360and a lower elongate member365slidably connected to the upper elongate member360to make the brace350adjustable in length. The upper and lower elongate members360,365are releasably secured together by a friction connector367. An angle bracket370is pivotally mounted to the lower elongate member365at a lower pivot375.

The upper panels110and lower panel120are configured to display pictorial, textual and exemplary information and models380,385. In one embodiment, an electronic display390, such as an integrated video player, can be provided, especially in the upper frame portion130. The upper frame portion130, being configured to carry the two upper panels110, is thicker than the lower frame portion135and can conceal the thickness of the electronic display390, and the cavity formed between the upper panels110can provide a channel for routing any necessary wiring, such as for power or sound. The electronic display390is provided with a multiple voltage power supply (not shown). The electronic display390can thus be powered by a vehicle 12V DC power supply when the point of purchase display100is mounted on a vehicle, or it can be connected to 120V AC when such is available.

METHOD OF USE

Referring specifically toFIG. 3, the point of purchase display100according to the invention is configured for removable attachment to a pickup truck400. Specifically, the pickup truck400includes a bed405having a sidewall410. The sidewall410includes an inwardly turned top rail415.

The point of purchase display100is installed on the truck400by placing the horizontal leg300,305of the mounting assembly290,295proximate the top rail415. The display100is then moved outwardly over the sidewall410so that lower portion340,345of each hook310,315passes underneath the top rail415. The installer can then grasp each of the handles330,335to tighten the threaded fasteners320,325against an underside420of the top rail415. Each mounting assembly290,295is thereby clamped to the top rail415, and the point of purchase display100is secured to the top rail in a cantilever fashion.

In order to provide additional support to the point of purchase display100, the brace350is provided. The angle bracket370of the brace350is configured for resting on an upper portion425of a vehicle tire430. The brace350is adjusted in length so that the angle bracket370is firmly engaged with the vehicle tire430, then the friction connector367between the upper and lower elongate members360,365is secured. The pivot355and the lower pivot375are configured to permit the brace350to pivot relative to the lower frame portion130and the angle bracket370to pivot relative to the lower elongate member365so that the angle bracket370can squarely engage the tire430; this enables the point of purchase display100to be mounted on pickup trucks400having different or variable ride heights, or distance from the top rail415to the tire430.

The point of purchase display100is also configured such it can be placed on a table, or mounted to a fixed rail mounted to the floor or the wall in a retail space. For example, if the user is displaying information about a vehicle other than a pickup truck, or is displaying information about a non-vehicle product, the display can be mounted to a support placed adjacent the vehicle or product. In this use, the electronic display390can be connected to the 120V AC power source as discussed above.

PARTS LIST