Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to a display apparatus. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus that displays large items, such as bicycles, safely and in a manner that enhances sales experience. The present invention also relates to associated kits and packages.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of priority to Australian provisional application having application no. 2011902242, titled “Display Apparatus”, and filed on Jun. 7, 2011. This and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a display apparatus. More specifically, the invention relates to a rack that displays large items, such as bicycles, safely and in a manner that enhances sales experience. The present invention also relates to associated kits and packages. 
     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     In many retail outlets and businesses, medium to large items are being sold. The displaying of medium to large items can present problems that are not encountered when selling smaller items. For example, adequate floor space is necessary for providing an acceptable display of a medium to large item for sale. Medium to large items which are displayed on the floor has disadvantages such as (1) reduces the amount of floor space available for the customers to freely move around the store, (2) reduces accessibility of the items (e.g. one item which is of interest to a customer may be behind another item so it is necessary to remove the first encountered item), (3) reduces the amount of stock that can be displayed in the store, (4) makes it difficult to display the items in an attractive manner thus reducing the sales experience and (5) creates an unsafe customer environment (e.g. tripping over the items) and (6) creates an unsafe employee environment such as when a sales clerk is required to lift the item (either from the floor or from a hook, bracket for example) thus increasing the risk of injury such as back injury. Items, such as bicycles and canoes, can also be mounted on walls via brackets or hooks. But, here again, there is a health and safety issue with a sales clerk lifting these large (and sometimes heavy) items off the walls for the customer to view more closely thus improving sales experience. 
     Providing floor space in a retail outlet for bicycles is equally or perhaps more difficult. A first problem which may be caused by bicycles in the outlet is that there is generally a large number of bicycles on display since there are many different models, sizes and types of bicycles available. Also bicycles can be hard to display because bicycles need a stand in order to be in an upright or acceptable displaying position. Putting bicycles on shelves can be proved to be very difficult and unsafe because of the above reasons which provide bicycles with instability. 
     There is a need to create a display mechanism which improves sales experience but yet does not jeopardise safe customer and employee environment and maintains efficient use of floor space. The ability to improve sales experience is a key factor in achieving adequate sales and proper turnover of stock. The display apparatus as described and defined herein meets the long felt need of displaying items in a safe environment but yet efficiently utilises floor space and improves sales experience. The invention directed to the display apparatus makes a substantial contribution to the working of the apparatus as defined herein. Although a bicycle is an example of an item that can be displayed by the apparatus, any item for displaying is contemplated herein and is within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention there is provided a display apparatus comprising a frame and a display arm having a mounting portion at one end for mounting an item for displaying wherein the display arm is pivotally mounted at its other end to the frame for movement between a raised position and a lowered position wherein the display arm is biased towards the raised position. 
     In one embodiment, the frame is free-standing. 
     In another embodiment, the mounting portion may be a hook, clip, bracket, clamp, clasp, ring, strap, fastener or the like or any combination thereof. The hook may be a wheel hook and the item may be a bicycle. The hook may be in the shape of hook  35 . The mounting portion may contain one or more members for receiving and stabilizing one or more parts of the display item when the display arm is in a fully raised position. The one or more members may receive and stabilize one or more bicycle wheels. 
     In another embodiment, the frame comprises a portion for retaining the display arm at a lowered position. The portion may retain the display arm by magnetic means or mechanical means. The portion may comprise one or more magnets. The one or more magnets may be affixed on top or near the top of the portion. A further one or more magnets may be affixed to the display arm such that the one or more magnets on the portion retaining the display arm is aligned with and thus able to contact the one or more magnets on the display arm. In a further embodiment, the mechanical means may comprise use of a hook, clip, bracket, clamp, clasp, ring, fastener, strap or the like or any combination thereof to retain the display arm in a lowering position. 
     In a further embodiment, there are means to stabilise the item when the display arm is in a fully lowered positioned. Means for stabilising an item such as a bicycle may comprise a wheel stand. 
     In one embodiment, a fully raised position is a substantially vertical position compared to the floor. In another embodiment, a fully lowered position is a substantially horizontal position compared to the floor. When the display arm is in the fully lowered position, the display item is also substantially horizontal compared to the floor. 
     In one embodiment, the arm is biased towards a raised position by a shaft and piston arrangement. In a non-limiting example, the display arm may be biased by a shaft and piston arrangement wherein the shaft is arranged to force the piston outwards or inwards. 
     The movement of the display arm forces the piston outwards or inwards. In a further embodiment, the piston moves along a length of a channel within the shaft, wherein each end of the shaft and piston arrangement is coupled to a guide which guides movement of the piston in and out of the shaft. One of the guides may be affixed to the frame whilst the other guide may be affixed to the display arm. In a further embodiment, the shaft and piston arrangement may be in the form of a gas strut. In yet a further embodiment, the gas strut may be a pneumatic strut. The strut may be a hydropneumatic strut. In a preferred embodiment, the shaft and piston arrangement is a gas strut. The strut may comprise one or more counterbalances and one or more springs, rubber disks, rubber bands, cords, torsion bars, granular spheres, magnets or the like or any combination thereof. 
     In an embodiment, the display arm pivots at a pivot point. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises two or more display arms. 
     In a further embodiment, the apparatus may display additional items. One or more items, such as bicycles, may be displayed. The bicycles may be displayed by sitting the bicycles on a panel that is affixed to the frame. In another embodiment, the additional bicycles may be stabilised by the apparatus. The additional display items such as bicycles may contact one or more points on the frame. For example, when the display item is a bicycle, the wheels of the bicycle are able to contact one or more points on the frame. The frame may contain one or more members for receiving the bicycle wheels. The members may be in the general shape of a saddle. The members may be brackets. 
     A panel may be interchangeable with other panels. The dimensions of a panel can vary to allow for additional or fewer items to be displayed on the panel of the apparatus. 
     Accordingly the apparatus is for displaying at least one item such that the item is mounted on the display arm. The item is any display item. In a non-limiting example, the display item may be a bicycle or a canoe. However, other items such as recreational items, lawn care machinery and auto accessories and parts may be mounted on the apparatus as display items. In one embodiment, a recreational item may be a canoe, a kayak, a small boat, a jet ski, an outboard motor or a trolling motor. An example of gardening and lawn care machinery that may be displayed by the apparatus may include lawn mowers, weed trimmers and blowers. In a further example, auto accessories and parts such as hubcaps, rims, tyres, and engine blocks may be displayed by the apparatus. 
     In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a package or kit comprising the apparatus as described herein whereby the apparatus comprises one or more parts for assembly comprising instructions for assembling the apparatus. 
     An advantage of the present invention is the displaying of one or more items which can be raised and lowered providing accessibility to the one or more items on display which thereby provides a safe customer and employee environment along with maximizing floor space within the outlet or business. The invention will now be described as per the figures below which are examples of the display apparatus and should not be construed in any way as limiting the scope of the invention. 
     Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary. 
     Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a view of an apparatus encompassed by the present invention wherein the display arm  8  is in a fully raised position. As shown, a bicycle is mounted on the display arm.  FIG. 1  shows two additional bicycles on display. 
         FIG. 2  is a view of an apparatus encompassed by the present invention. The figure contains an upper left schematic diagram and a lower right schematic diagram. The display arm of the apparatus is in a partially lowered position in the upper left schematic. In the lower right schematic, the arm is in a fully lowered position. 
         FIG. 3A  is a view of an apparatus encompassed by the present invention without any items mounted on arm  8 .  FIG. 3B  is a view of an apparatus encompassed by the present invention without any items mounted on arm  8  and without panel  18 . The arrows in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  generally show the trajectory of arm  8  when taken from a fully raised position towards a lower position. 
         FIG. 4  is a view of an apparatus encompassed by the present invention without any items mounted on arm  8  and without panel  18 . Arm  8  is in a fully raised position. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of an apparatus encompassed by the present invention without any items mounted on arm  8  and without panel  18 . Arm  8  is in a fully raised position. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of an apparatus encompassed by the present invention without any items mounted on arm  8  and without panel  18 . Arm  8  is in a fully raised position. A blown up depiction of member  12  and wheel stand  7  are shown. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of an apparatus encompassed by the present invention without any items mounted arm  8  and without panel  18 . Arm  8  is in a fully raised position. 
         FIG. 8  is a side, upper view of an apparatus encompassed by the present invention with panel  18  and with arm  8  in the fully raised position. 
         FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  9 C:  FIG. 9A  is a side, upper view of an apparatus encompassed by the present invention with panel  18  and with arm  8  in the fully raised position. The dotted outline highlights panel  18  which is exemplified in more detail in  FIGS. 9B and 9C .  FIG. 9B  schematically shows an example of a panel only.  FIG. 9C  depicts one corner of the panel. 
         FIG. 10  is a focused view of member  36 , members  15 , member  17  and members  13 . 
         FIG. 11  represents a non-limiting example of guidance  19  as positioned on apparatus. 
         FIG. 12  represents a non-limiting example of members  29  which are affixed on the frame of the apparatus and contact and stabilize display items when the display items are substantially horizontal to the floor. Members  29  also function to link two or more apparatus together. 
         FIG. 13A  is a side, upper view of an apparatus encompassed by the present invention with panel  18  and with arm  8  in the fully raised position. Arm  8  is depicted through use of the dotted outlines in this figure as two separate parts comprising a long piece, as represented by member  8 A and a short piece, as represented as member  8 B in the figure. 
         FIG. 13B  is a detailed depiction of member  8 A including dimensions. Members  18 ,  25 ,  26  and hook  35  are exemplified in this figure. 
         FIG. 13C  is a diagram that provides an example of how member  8 B may fit into the lower portion of  8 A including fixing means  30 A and  30 B. 
         FIG. 13D  is a detailed depiction of a non-limiting example of guide  14  as affixed to  8 B. 
         FIG. 14  is a detailed depiction of a non-limiting example of member  13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a detailed depiction of a non-limiting example of member  34 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed. 
     Referring to the accompanying figures, there is illustrated a display apparatus, as generally shown in  1 , having a frame  2  and a display arm  8  having a mounting portion  4  wherein arm  8  is pivotally mounted at pivot point  3  for movement between a raised position as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 A,  3 B,  4 - 9 A and  13 A and a lowered position as shown in the lower left schematic diagram of  FIG. 2 . A display apparatus as shown in  1 A is the same apparatus as in  1  but without panel  18 , which allows the reader to see the members that make up frame  2  which are hidden by panel  18  in  1 . The apparatus may include a cross bar as represented in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 A and  10  as non-limiting examples. The apparatus may include additional members. The additional members may provide further support for the structure of the apparatus or support of the display item(s). 
     The item for displaying is mounted on mounting portion  4 . Any means for mounting the item on mounting portion  4  is contemplated herein and includes a hook, clip, bracket, clamp, clasp, ring, strap or the like or any combination thereof. The item may be a bicycle and mounting portion  4  may be a wheel hook in the general shape of hook  35  as represented in  FIG. 13B . 
     Display arm  8  is biased towards the raised position. In a non-limiting example, display arm  8  may be biased by a shaft  5 A and piston  5 B arrangement (together  5 C) wherein shaft  5 A is arranged to force piston  5 B outwards or inwards. In a further embodiment, shaft  5 A is arranged to force piston  5 B outwards or inwards wherein movement of piston  5 B is along a length of a channel within shaft  5 A, wherein each end of the shaft  5 A and piston  5 B arrangement ( 5 C) are coupled to guide  19  and guide  14  (which guides movement of the piston in and out of the shaft) and ensures that the shaft  5 A and piston  5 B arrangement are connected to frame  2  and arm  8 . Guide  14  is affixed to display arm  8 . A non-limiting example of guide  14  is represented in  FIGS. 13C and 13D  which shows how guide  14  could be connected to member  8 A but any means to which guide  14  can be connected to arm  8  is contemplated herein. Guide  19  is described below and a non-limiting example of guide  19  is represented in  FIG. 11 . As examples, guides  14  and  19  each comprise 2.5 mm thick plates with 8 mm diameter holes, respectively, but any design which allows the working of the shaft and piston arrangement is within the scope of the invention and therefore contemplated herein. A detailed example of guide  14  can be found in  FIG. 13D . 
     In one example, the shaft  5 A and piston  5 B arrangement may be in the form of a gas strut in which the gas strut may be a pneumatic strut. Alternatively, the shaft  5 A and piston  5 B arrangement may be in the form of a hydropneumatic strut. In a preferred example, the shaft and piston arrangement is a gas strut as per the accompanying figures. One or more counterbalances may be used to assist in the movement of the item and display arm  8  between the raised and lower positions. The strut may comprise one or more springs, one or more rubber disks, one or more rubber bands, one or more cords, one or more torsion bars, one or more granular spheres, one or more magnets and/or any combination thereof. 
     The apparatus provides a user, such as a sales clerk, with a mechanism for retrieving a bicycle from the raised position in which the bicycle is being displayed to a lower position so that a customer can transition from a purely visual encounter initially with the bicycle to a subsequent tactile experience. This transition would likely enhance sales experience by the customer and the sales clerk and may result in an increase in the percentage of sales per customer visits in comparison to bicycles that are displayed by other apparatuses that make up the prior art. Specifically, display arm  8  moves to the lower position through the use of biasing and pivoting as described above. Display arm  8  pivots at pivot point  3  to achieve movement between a raised position as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 A,  3 B,  4 - 9 A and  13 A and a lowered position as shown in the lower left schematic diagram of  FIG. 2 . 
     In one example, the raised position is in a substantially vertical position compared to floor  20 . In another example, the lowered position is in a substantially horizontal position compared to floor  20 . 
     In a lower position, display arm  8  may contact or be in proximity with retaining portion  6 . Retaining portion  6  may be affixed to member  12 . Retaining portion  6  has the means to retain display arm  8  in a lower position. In a non-limiting example, retaining portion  6  may retain display arm  8  in a lowering position through magnetic means or mechanical means. Retaining portion  6  may be or comprise one or more magnets. In a non-limiting example, the one or more magnets may be affixed to a top part of portion  6  as represented by magnet  20  in  FIG. 8 . The one or more magnets may come into contact with one or more magnets affixed to  19  as represented in  FIG. 13B . In a non-limiting example, mechanical means may include use of hook, clip, bracket, clamp, clasp, ring, fastener or strap or the like or any combination thereof to retain display arm  8  in a lowering position. 
     To further describe the relationship between the shaft  5 A and piston  5 B arrangement and frame  2 , it is contemplated herein that guide  19  is affixed to cross-bar member  10  at a position which is about halfway along the entire length of cross-bar member  10 . One end of cross-bar member  10  is transaxially affixed to a first member  16  whilst the other end of cross-bar member  10  is transaxially affixed to a second member  16 . The first member  16  and second member  16  are substantially parallel to each other. One end of the first member  16  is transaxially affixed to one end of member  11  whilst one end of the second member  16  is transaxially affixed to the other end of member  11 . First member  16  and second member  16  are substantially perpendicular to member  11  in at least one plane of axis. Member  11  may be substantially horizontal to floor  20 . 
     One end of member  12  is transaxially affixed to member  11  at a position which is about halfway along the entire length of member  11 . Member  12  is substantially vertical and may comprise wheel stand  7  and retaining portion  6 . Retaining portion  6 , which is affixed to the other end of member  12 , has the means to retain display arm  8  in a lower position. In a non-limiting example, member  12  comprises wheel stand  7  to stabilize a bicycle. As contemplated herein, other arrangements may be designed and used as opposed to wheel stand  7  to display items. One skilled in the art would understand from the description and figures how to design an arrangement that would suit the item displayed and that the choice of arrangement would be governed by the characteristics of the display item, such as shape of the item at the front of the item coming toward the customer and overall length of the item. The person skilled in the art would also understand that the apparatus should not be limited to wheel stand  7  and that any arrangement or mechanism that stabilises a display item when arm  8  is in a fully lowered position is contemplated herein and within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     Arm  8  may comprise two members which are assembled together for the working of the arm. In non-limiting examples,  FIGS. 13A and 13D  provide illustrations of these two members which are labelled  8 A and  8 B. The inventors provide examples of how these members connect to form arm  8 . As represented in  FIG. 13C  in the form of a non-limiting example,  8 A and  8 B are connected via  30 A and  30 B. In  FIG. 13B , member  8 A is shown in detail as having members  25  and  26  to assist in stabilization of the display item. Also, member  8 A is shown to comprise hook  35  but any means in which the display item is held by mounting portion  4  of arm  8  is contemplated herein. Members  25  and  26  are shown as wheel stands as non-limiting examples. Any means that stabilizes the display item when arm  8  is in a substantially vertical position is contemplated herein. 
     To further describe the relationship between arm  8  and frame  2 , there is contemplated herein member  15  which is adjacent to display arm  8  whereby one end of member  15  is transaxially affixed to member  17  whilst the other end is free. Member  15  is substantially parallel to arm  8  when arm  8  is in a fully raised position. There may be a second member  15 . The first member  15 , second member  15 , and arm  8  may be juxtaposed to one another whereby arm  8  is between the first member  15  and the second member  15 . The first member  15  and the second member  15  may be in a substantially perpendicular position to arm  8  when arm  8  is in a fully lowered position. 
     As contemplated herein, the first member  15 , second member  15  and arm  8  are transaxially affixed to member  17  at approximately halfway along the entire length of member  17 . In  FIG. 13D , an example of a lower portion of  8 B of arm  8  indicates a hole that may receive a bolt for affixing arm  8  to members  15 . Other details of how arm  8  is affixed to members  15  and their relationship to member  17  are represented in  FIG. 10 . Any means for affixing arm  8  to members  15  is contemplated herein.  FIG. 10  also describes member  13  and member  36 . A non-limiting example of member  36  is to retain the shape of the panel when it is flexed. 
     Further, one end of member  17  is transaxially affixed to one end of a first member  9  whilst the other end of member  17  is transaxially affixed to one end of a second member  9 . The other end of the first member  9  is transaxially affixed to one end of member  21  whilst and the other end of the second member  9  is transaxially affixed to the other end of member  21 . In another non-limiting example, member  17  and member  21  are substantially perpendicular to member  9  in at least in one plane of axis. In a further example, member  17  may be substantially horizontal and vertically supported by member  9 . In turn, member  21  may horizontally support the first and second member  9 . Members  17  and  21  may be substantially parallel to each other. 
     The process of affixing may be through fastening, bolting or welding. Such fastening or bolting may involve use of bolts, nuts, screws, rivets, clasps, clamps, welding and welding equipment, rings, adhesives, fasteners or the like or any combination thereof. 
     In  FIGS. 5 to 7 ,  9 B,  9 C,  10  to  12 ,  13 B,  13 D,  14  and  15 , the inventors have provided measurements, dimensions and specific designs of the apparatus. This degree of detail is only to provide one skilled in the art examples of the apparatus to thus enable the skilled person to work the invention. The detail described herein should not be construed in any way as narrowing the scope of the invention. Any length or size of the various members or parts that make up the apparatus which enables one skilled in the art to work the invention is contemplated herein. It is possible that a person skilled in the art may wish to scale up the apparatus (and strengthen the biasing) to handle larger, heavier display items. 
     Besides the characteristics of the item that is mounted on mounting portion  4 , the apparatus can display additional items. One or more items, such as bicycles, may be displayed whilst sitting on panel  18  which is affixed to frame  2 . The one or more items may be stabilised by member  13 . A detailed and non-limiting example of member  13  is shown in  FIG. 14 . One end of member  13  is affixed to member  17  of frame  2  whilst the other end is free. The free end is shown in  FIG. 14  to comprise a rubber coated member. Any means that affixes member  13  to member  17  is contemplated herein. By mere example,  FIG. 14  shows that member  13  is affixed to member  17  via  33  and plate  32 . 
     Panel  18  as represented in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , for example, is interchangeable with other panels. Panel  18  is flexible and made from a variety of durable but flexible materials such as a variety of plastics. One of the plastics may be polyvinyl chloride (PVC) but any plastics or alternative material may be used to construct the panel. An example of how panel  18  may be designed is represented in  FIG. 9B . In  FIG. 9B , panel  18  comprises a lip  24  for connection to member  10  and guide  19 . Lip  24  is shown in more detail as represented by  28  in  FIG. 9C . Panel  18  also comprises notch  23  which fits around the lower end of member  12 . 
     A sales clerk has the option of displaying one or more items by placing such items onto panel  18  and stabilising the items by member  13 , displaying an item by mounting such item onto mounting portion  4  or combination thereof. An example of the dimensions of panel  18  is also provided in  FIG. 9B  but the dimensions of panel  18  can be any and allow for additional items to be displayed on or near the panel of the apparatus. The additional items may be stabilized by members affixed to members  16  of frame  2 . Examples of such members are represented as  29  in  FIGS. 12 and 34  in  FIG. 15 . The members may be in the form of brackets or braces but any design or shape that assists in stabilizing the display items is contemplated herein. Members  29  also function to link two or more apparatus together. The two or more apparatus may be linked together in a series or linear fashion. 
     The display apparatus is designed to provide a simple, effective and safe manner of maximising storage and merchandising areas by utilising previously unused space. The display can be used for many different items and is not limited to solely bicycles. Other items such as recreational items, lawn care machinery and auto accessories and parts may be mounted on the apparatus. They are contemplated herein. Examples of recreational items displayed by the apparatus of the present invention may include, but not limited to, canoes, kayaks, small boats, jet skis, outboard motors and trolling motors. Examples of gardening and lawn care machinery displayed by the apparatus of the present invention may include, but not limited to, lawn mowers, weed trimmers and blowers. Examples of auto accessories and parts displayed by the apparatus of the present invention may include, but not limited to, hubcaps, rims, tyres, and engine blocks. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an item such as a bicycle can be mounted on display arm  8  in a raised position such that the item can be easily seen by a customer. It is likely that the item will be at eye level with a customer of average height. If required, the bicycle can be lowered to a position between a fully raised position and a fully lowered position to ensure that the item is at eye level with customer. The upper left schematic diagram of  FIG. 2  shows the apparatus when display arm  8  is in between a fully raised position and a fully lowered position. In any case, once the customer has shown interest in the item, a sales clerk has the ability to lower the item to the floor if desired with minimum force as shown in the lower right schematic diagram of  FIG. 2 . This will allow the customer to study the item with greater detail and handle the item which may increase the likelihood of a sale. If the item is a bicycle, the customer may wish to lift the bicycle to judge its weight and determine balance between the front and rear of the bicycle, grip the handlebars, test the brakes and feel the texture of the bicycle frame and seat. 
     While some embodiments of the present invention have been described in the foregoing and in the drawings, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. 
     The invention is to be considered limited solely by the scope of the claims which relate to: 
     A display apparatus comprising a frame and a display arm having a mounting portion at one end for mounting an item for displaying wherein the display arm is pivotally mounted at its other end to the frame for movement between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein the display arm is biased towards the raised position. The invention is to be considered limited solely by the scope of the claims which relate to: 
     The frame of the apparatus is free-standing. 
     The mounting portion of the apparatus is selected from the group comprising hook, clip, bracket, clamp, clasp, ring, strap, fastener or any combination thereof. 
     The hook of the apparatus is a wheel hook. 
     The item is a bicycle. 
     The frame of the apparatus comprises a portion for retaining the display arm at a lowered position. 
     The portion of the frame retains the display arm by magnetic means or mechanical means. 
     The portion of the frame comprises one or more magnets. 
     The one or more magnets is affixed on top or near the top of the portion. 
     The mechanical means comprises use of a hook, clip, bracket, clamp, clasp, ring, fastener, strap or any combination thereof to retain the display arm in a lowering position. 
     The apparatus comprising means to stabilise the item when the display arm is in a fully lowered positioned. 
     The means for stabilising an item is a wheel stand. 
     The raised position is a fully raised position and is a substantially vertical position compared to the floor. 
     The lowered position is a fully lowered position and is a substantially horizontal position compared to the floor. 
     The arm is biased towards a raised position by a shaft and piston arrangement. 
     The shaft and piston arrangement is a gas strut. 
     The arm pivots at a pivot point. 
     The apparatus comprises two or more display arms. 
     The apparatus displays additional items. 
     The additional items are displayed on a panel. 
     The item is selected from the group comprising recreational items, gardening and lawn care machinery and auto accessories and parts. 
     The recreational item is selected from the group comprising canoe, a kayak, a small boat, a jet ski, an outboard motor and a trolling motor. 
     The gardening and lawn care machinery is selected from the group comprising lawn mowers, weed trimmers and blowers. 
     The auto accessories and parts are selected from the group comprising hubcaps, rims, tyres, and engine blocks. 
     A package or kit comprising the apparatus in the form of one or more parts for assembly whereby the package or kit further comprises instructions for assembling the apparatus. 
     As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously. 
     It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.