Abstract:
A clamp for maintaining a stationary position on a pole includes clamp portions that area engageable with each other to surround the periphery of a pole. A positioning device disposed in one of the clamp portions and simultaneously compresses against periphery of the pole and tensions one of the engaged clamp portions against the periphery of the pole to maintain the clamp in the stationary position on the pole. A system for visual merchandising is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a non-provisional counterpart to and claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60/685,262 filed on May 26, 2005, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to visual merchandising systems, more particularly, to clamps used with poles in visual merchandising systems.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Visual merchandising systems attract the attention of potential customers by displaying a merchant&#39;s products in an eye-catching manner and presenting selected useful information about those products and/or the merchant.  
         [0004]     While able to be used in any circumstance, visual merchandising systems are typically used by exhibitors at tradeshows for a relatively limited period and in-store fixture settings where display and use requirements are often changing. Consequently, users look for systems and accompanying system components that accentuate features that make travel and display easier. Thus, it is preferred that systems and system components are easily assemblelable, then easily broken down, while also being durable and strong.  
         [0005]     A further feature that is typically important is that systems are flexible in adding display components, such as signs or trays, to main components, such as poles,.so as to customize the available display space. Typically, visual merchandising systems comprise a pole, which is freestanding or tensioned against floor and ceiling. On the pole, attachments are positioned using any type of suitable connection device that maintains the relative position of the attachment with the pole.  
         [0006]     Such devices have generally been the weak feature of the system for a number of reasons. The devices are attached to tubular poles having smooth surfaces. Consequently, poles provide little or no gripping aid to the connection devices. At the same time, the devices must support cantilevered attachments that may exert large overturning moments because of the heavy product load the attachments carry.  
         [0007]     Additionally many devices suffer from inherent problems such as being difficult to place by one user and being difficult to reposition or remove. Other devices suffer from inherent problems wherein parts wear out. For example, devices that rely on spring tensioning tend to grow weaker over time as the spring becomes worn out.  
         [0008]     Thus, what is needed is a device that easily placed, readily repositionable, and removed and that is durable.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention is directed to a visual merchandising system and a connection device configured in one or more embodiments as a clamp attached to or biased against the pole. The clamp is held positionally by at least frictional engagement against the pole.  
         [0010]     The clamp has at least a first and a second clamp portion joined to each other using dove-tailed joints. In one or more embodiments, each clamp portion is configured to have a mortise at one end and a tenon at another end. At least on clamp portion comprises a securing means for attaching or biasing the assembled clamp portion to the pole  
         [0011]     The clamp comprises a plurality of exterior channels wherein attachments may be removably attached to or biased to the clamp. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a visual merchandising system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  an isometric view of one embodiment of the clamp in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention in an open position, wherein the first and second clamp portions are unaligned.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the clamp in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention in a closed position, wherein the first and second clamp portions are aligned.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4   a  is a planar view of a clamp portion in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4   b  is an elevational view of the first type of clamp portion in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4   c  is a planar view of a clamp comprising the first type of clamp portion in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5   a  is a planar view of a second type of clamp portion in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5   b  is an elevational view of the second type of clamp portion in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5   c  is a planar view of a clamp comprising the first and second types of clamp portions in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5   d  is a planar view of a clamp comprising the second type of clamp portions in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6   a  is a planar view of a third type of clamp portion in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6   b  is an elevational view of the third type of clamp portion in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6   c  is a planar view of a clamp comprising the first and third types of clamp portions in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7   a  is an elevational view of an attachment in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 7   b  is a detailed view of a connector and an attachment in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 7   c  is an elevational view of a further embodiment of an attachment in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b , and  8   c  are isometric views of further embodiments of the present invention wherein one or more display units  70  are supported by one or more attachments  60  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0029]     The following detailed description is of the best mode or modes of the invention presently contemplated. Such description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but to be an example of the invention presented solely for illustration thereof, and by reference to which in connection with the following description and the accompanying drawings one skilled in the art may be advised of the advantages and construction of the invention. In the various views of the drawings, like-referenced characters designate like or similar parts.  
         [0030]      FIG. 1  illustrates a visual merchandising system  5  of the present invention. Therein, a pole  50  is supported by a base  52  and is either freestanding or tensioned against a ceiling using a cap  54  or suction cup to stabilize the pole against the ceiling. Clamps  10  in accordance with the present invention attach to or bias against pole  50  to support one or more attachments  60 . Attachments  60  may display merchandise  100  or the like using shelf attachments or arm attachments and or support further display components. Clamps  10  are configured to support by themselves one or more attachments  60  or be adjustable to support, in combination with other clamps  10 , one or more attachments  60 .  
         [0031]      FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate a clamp  10  of the present invention comprising a plurality of clamp portions  12  that may be joined together using a plurality of dovetailed joints  16  to be secured against a pole  50  of visual merchandising systems  5 . Specifically in the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a pair of clamp portions  12  are capable of being joined together from an open and unaligned position,  FIG. 2 , to a closed and aligned position,  FIG. 3 , as will be described further herein, using a pair dovetail joints  16 .  
         [0032]     Each clamp portion  12  has an approximate semi-circular shape having a substantially smooth inner surface  14  oriented to the “interior” of clamp  10  and an outer surface  15  oriented to the “exterior” of clamp  10 . Inner surface  14  has at least a portion having a radius larger than or equal to the exterior radius of pole  50  and outer surface  15  has an interrupted surface that has a radius that is at least greater than the exterior radius of pole  50  by the thickness  13  of clamp  10 , e.g. camp portions  12 .  
         [0033]     Clamp portions  12  may be made of metal, plastic, or suitable material, be painted or protected to maintain appearance for repeated usage, and be manufactured for reasons of economy identically. Even when manufactured identically, the two clamp portions may differ. Thus, one clamp portion  12  may comprise a securing means  21 , described below, while the other does not.  
         [0034]     Each clamp portion  12  includes at one arcuate end of a tenon  18  and at the other arcuate end a mortise  20 . To form clamp  10  clamp portions  12  are oriented so that the tenon of one clamp portion is opposed to the mortise of the other clamp portion and vice versa. In turn, the tenon and mortise of each clamp portion are configured to mate with the respective tenon or mortise to form a pair of dovetail joints  16 . Advantageously, dovetail joint  16  resists radial displacement of one clamp portion relative to another but permits axial displacement of one clamp portion to another. In one embodiment, one clamp portion  12  is disposed with tenons  18  at each arcuate end and a mating clamp portion is disposed with mortises  20  at each arcuate end.  
         [0035]     One or both of the clamp portions  12  may include a securing means  21 . In one embodiment the securing means is configured as a thumbscrew  24  received in a threaded opening  22  that advances a pad  26 , made from rubber, plastic, or the like which is preferably non-marring and non-marking against pole  50  to bear against the opposing clamp portion  12 .  
         [0036]     Once pole  50  has been placed near a desired location and secured for example by extending it such a length that it is under compression from both the floor and ceiling, clamp  10  may be attempted to be secured to pole  50  so that further units of the visual merchandising systems may be properly used. The user working alone or in cooperation with others places a first clamp portion  12  against pole  50  and holds it near a desired axial position of pole  50 .  
         [0037]     This first clamp portion may be configured to include securing means  21  or it may be a clamp portion configured not to have a securing means. The user, if working alone, uses his free hand to inspect the second clamp portion to assure that this second clamp portion  12  does indeed include a securing means and that the securing means has been retracted at least sufficiently in pocket  29  as will be described below. The user further confirms that the second clamp portion  12  is oriented in his hand such that when placed against pole  12  the tenon  18  and mortise  20  of the second clamp portion are opposed to the mating mortise and tenon of the first clamp portion.  
         [0038]     Subsequently, the user positions the second clamp portion  12  against pole  50  to be substantially radially opposite the first clamp portion  12 . Further, the user places the second clamp portion in an axial position that is offset but immediately adjacent to the first clamp portion  12 . In other words, as will become apparent, the user will aim to place the second clamp portion  12  radially opposite and immediately above or below the fist clamp portion  12 .  
         [0039]     The user then rotates and/or slides the first or the second clamp portion  12  so that the tenon and mortise of the clamp portions engage in a dovetail joint  16 . Having the joined clamp portions  12  using dovetail joints  16  the portions are now held radially and in general not radially displaceable. Thus, the user may hold the clamp portions in one hand and conveniently position and reposition the clamp  10  until it is in a desired location on the pole. A desired position may be one where the attachments once added to clamp  10  are at the appropriate axial location and circumferential orientation relative to the pole.  
         [0040]     Before finally securing clamp  10  to pole  50 , the user assures that the clamp portions  12  are preferably substantially aligned in a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 3 —although, exact alignment is not required. If not, the user slides the clamp portions axially in such a way that the clamp portions are aligned in the closed position. To secure clamp  10  to pole  50 , the user turns thumbscrew  24  of the second clamp portion  12 . Turning thumbscrew  24  causes pad  26  to advance and, thus, biasing pole  50  against the first clamp portion  12 .  
         [0041]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  illustrate the interior construction of a first type of clamp portion  12  adapted to comprise securing means  21  in accordance with one or more embodiments the present invention.  FIG. 4   c  is a planar view wherein like clamp portions  12  form clamp  10  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0042]     Clamp portion  12  shown in planar view in  FIG. 4   a  includes an inner channel  28 . As depicted  FIG. 4   b , an inner channel  28  is disposed in the clamp portion in a position that is preferably central to clamp portion  12 . Inner channel  28  comprises a rear wall and perpendicularly sidewalls to create an axial channel open to the interior of clamp portion  12 . A pocket  29  is disposed in the inner channel and is centered with respect to opening  22  wherein a thumbscrew  24  or the like is received at least partially, which operably advances pad  26  through clamp portion  12 .  
         [0043]     Inner surface  14  comprises a plurality bearing surfaces  30  having a radius approximately similar to the radius of exterior surface of pole  50 . Thus, when pad  26  is advanced from pocket  29 , it biases pole  50  against at least one or more bearing surfaces  30  of the opposed clamp portion  12 . Inner surface  14  is further configured to have a substantially planar surfaces  31  that transition from bearing surfaces  30  to inner channel  28 .  
         [0044]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  further illustrate the interior construction of a second type of clamp portion  12   a  in accordance with one or more embodiments the present invention. Therein, inner channel  28  is not used and a pocket  29   a  is configured directly into inner surface  14 . Thus, pocket  29   a  is centered with respect to an opening  22   a  and is bordered by inner surface  14 , which comprises a continuous bearing surface  30  and is interrupted only by pocket  29   a . Thumbscrew  24  or the like is received at least partially in opening  22  and operably advances pad  26  through clamp portion  12 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 5   c  is a planar view wherein clamp portions  12  adapted to inner channel  28  and clamp portion  12   a  without an inner channel  28  form clamp  10  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Therein, pole  50  is biased substantially against all of surface  30   a.    
         [0046]      FIG. 5   d  is a planar view wherein two clamp portions  12   a  adapted without an inner channel  28  form clamp  10  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Similarly, pole  50  is biased substantially against all of surface  30   a.    
         [0047]     Regardless of embodiment, pocket  29  preferably accommodates substantially the entire thickness of pad  26 . During the initial placement by the user of clamp portion  12  against pole  50 , if pad  26  extends beyond inner surface  14 , the clamp portion will not fit properly with the mating clamp portion.  
         [0048]     In one or more embodiments, however, pole  50  need not be biased against a clamp portion  12  that is configured to accommodate a securing means  21 . Consequently, when the clamp portions are not alike, the clamp portion against which pole  50  is biased may be conveniently configured to omit threaded opening  22 , channel  28  and pocket  29  and have an uninterrupted smooth inner surface  14  that may comprise entirely a bearing surface  30   b.    
         [0049]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  illustrate the interior construction of a third type of clamp portion  12   b  in accordance with one or more embodiments the present invention. Therein, inner surface  14  and bearing surface  30   b  are identical and substantially match the outer radius of pole  50 . Therein, pole  50  is then biased bearingly against surface  30  as shown in  FIG. 6   c.    
         [0050]     In a further embodiment, note illustrated, more than one clamp portion  12  have a securing means. For example, both clamp portions  12  may include a thumbscrew  24  that may each be operated to position and secure clamp  10  on pole  50 . Thus, inner surface  14  in both clamp portions  12  may be configured to have any suitable shape that does not interfere with pole  50 .  
         [0051]     Returning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , clamp portions  12  comprises an outer surface  15  interrupted by a plurality of spaced-apart outer channels  32 , each having an opening  36  disposed in outer surface  15 . Each outer channel  32  is configured to have, in cross-section, a substantially rectangular cavity closed at least partially to the exterior by a pair of walls  34  formed in the outer surface  15  and defining opening  26 . Outer surface  15  in a region  15   a  in the vicinity of outer channels  32  comprises a substantially planar surface. Region  15   a  extends beyond the sidewalls of outer channel  32  so that attachment  60  may be biased to clamp  10  and bear against the clamp in region  15   a  with no play.  
         [0052]      FIG. 7   a  is an elevational view of attachment  60  attached to or biased to clamp  10  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Attachment  60  may be any suitable tool to display or show products and or information or aid therein. Using a connector  62 , the attachment is removably attachable to or removably biasable to clamp  10  so that the user may exchange attachments or use the available display to maximum efficiency.  
         [0053]     Attachment  60  may be a tray, arm, clip or the like and made of metal or suitable material and suitably sized for the task. Attachment  60  comprises connector  62  that attaches or biases attachment  60  to clamp  10  using one or more outer channels  32 .  
         [0054]     In one preferred embodiment, connector  62  is a screw having an L shaped head portion  62   a  and a threaded shank portion  62   b  as illustrated in  FIG. 7   b . Therein, the head portion  62   a  is sized to be received in outer channel  32  but is too large to be removed through opening  36 . In contrast, the shank portion  62   b  is threaded and is sized so as to pass through opening  36 . Connector  62  is received in attachment  60  in a suitable means, such as a threaded opening  64  that permits attachment  60  to be turned by a user and thus tightened or biased, against clamp  10  in region  15   a.    
         [0055]     In another embodiment, connector  62  may be tightened or biased against clamp  10  using a nut  66  disposed on shank  62   b  as shown in  FIG. 7   c.    
         [0056]      FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b , and  8   c  illustrate further embodiments of the present invention wherein one or more display units  70  are supported by one or more attachments  60  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. As can be seen in  FIG. 8   a , attachments  60 , configured as a frame bracket, may comprise an I-channel section  68  and are attached to different clamps  10  disposed on the same pole  50 . A display unit  70 , configured as a frame, may be advantageously connected between the attachments  60  using channel  72  to receive I-channel  68  to display a message or information deemed of interest by the user. A similar embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 8   b , wherein display unit  70  is configured as a gripper and comprises a channel  72  to receive I-channel  68  of attachment  60 .  
         [0057]     As can be appreciated by  FIG. 8   c , a plurality of clamps  10  are disposed on more than one pole  50 . Thus, it should be appreciated that one or more clamps  10  and attachments  60 , herein configured as shelf brackets, may be cooperatively used to support a plurality of display units, herein configured as shelves, with a plurality of poles  50 .  
         [0058]     Of course, it should be appreciated that the present invention is illustrated with respect to two clamp portions that are engagable to clamp to circular pole  50 . However, the invention should not be considered limited to such an embodiment of two clamp portions. For example, it is readily apparent that more than two (2) clamp portions may be used in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. It should also be appreciated, that the clamp portions may comprise any shape that suits engagement with pole  50 .  
         [0059]     While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to independent claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claim in view of the prior art and therefore to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalents thereto.