Abstract:
A tower display which can be mounted to a coffin freezer for displaying product information at a height that facilitates shopper observation and viewing. The tower display includes a base support and a holder, joined by one or more elongated connector elements which maintain the holder in spaced relationship to the base support. The mounting of the base support is adjustable, and the holder secures cards or other elements used to present information pertaining to the items in the freezer unit. The tower display can also include a rack having sets of rods for hanging products and displaying information about such products.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention is related to the field of retail display racks and, more particularly, to display towers and racks suitable for use with coffin freezers.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    In modern supermarkets, including discount superstores and warehouse retailers, the large number of different products being sold often creates a shortage of display area space. Smaller items, and particularly those which are packaged in a non-stackable wrapper, i.e., blister packs, are often overwhelmed by larger, surrounding items, complicating shopper recognition thereof. Because shelving is not necessary for such items, a need exists for alternative ways of presenting these items for sale. It would also be desirable from a marketing standpoint to display products that are in “hangable” packaging near or in proximity with larger items to which they functionally relate.  
           [0005]    In addition, standard coffin-style freezers used to contain frozen products by creating a pool of cold air such that the top of the freezer remains open, do not provide adequate means for displaying product information in a manner which is adjacent the particular product and/or clearly visible to passing shoppers. Therefore, a need exists for a tower display which can be used to draw attention to the frozen products, pricing specials, etc. while presenting necessary information at an elevation comfortable for the viewing height of most shoppers.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    In view of the foregoing, one object of the present invention is a tower display and rack for displaying product information as well as products in an elevated position relative to the base upon which the rack is mounted.  
           [0007]    Another object of the invention is a tower display which can be relatively rigidly attached to the center divider of a coffin style freezer such that the display is not easily tipped over or knocked out of place.  
           [0008]    A further object of the invention is a tower display that is mounted on the center divider between two coffin style freezers such that otherwise unusable space is utilized and product information is presented in a logical relationship to the products, facilitating effective shopper observation of such information.  
           [0009]    Yet another object of the invention is a tower display and product rack that is mounted to a freezer unit and can be used to place products which might have an association with the frozen products in proximity thereto for shopper convenience.  
           [0010]    A further object of the invention is a tower display and product rack adapted for use with existing, standardized supermarket display cases and food storage units without modification thereto.  
           [0011]    Another object of the invention is a tower display and product rack which is adjustable to fit a variety of supermarket display and food storage cases.  
           [0012]    In accordance with this and other objects, the present invention is directed to a tower display which can be mounted to a coffin freezer for displaying product information at a height that facilitates shopper observation and viewing. The tower display includes a base support and a holder, joined by one or more elongated connector elements which maintain the holder in spaced relationship to the base support. The mounting of the base support is adjustable, and the holder secures cards or other elements used to present information pertaining to the items in the freezer unit. The tower display can also include a rack having sets of rods for hanging products and displaying information about such products.  
           [0013]    These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a tower display rack mounted to a coffin freezer in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a side view of the tower display rack of FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a front view of the tower display rack of FIG. 1;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a top view of the tower display rack of FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5A is a side view of a raised mounting surface base member used on a flat surface with the tower display rack of FIG. 1;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5B is a side view of a raised mounting surface base member used on a peaked surface with built-in channels with the tower display rack of FIG. 1;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the raised mounting surface base member of FIG. 5;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a front view of a tower display in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 is a side view of the tower display of FIG. 7;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 9 is a side view of the clip-on hanger assembly for use with the tower display of FIG. 7;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 10 is a top view of the tower display of FIG. 7 with clip-on hanger assemblies of FIG. 9;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the tower display of FIG. 7 showing the plates, with a base plate mounted on one such plate as used for mounting of the tower display;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 12 is a partial top view of the base plates of FIG. 9 with a channeled mounting surface;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 13A is a side view of the adjustable base mechanism with the plate members shown as aligned on a common plane;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 13B is a side view of the base plates mounted on a flat channeled surface for engagement with the base mechanism of FIG. 13A;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 14A is a side view of the adjustable base mechanism for mounting on the base plates in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 7, with the plate members shown in an angled position relative to one another; and  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 14B is a side view of the base plates mounted in an angled position relative to one another on a peaked, channeled mounting surface for engagement with the base mechanism of FIG. 14A. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0031]    In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.  
         [0032]    According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a tower display, generally designated by the reference numeral  100 , is illustrated in FIG. 1, with various views provided in FIGS. 2, 3 and  4 . As shown in FIG. 1, the tower display  100  includes an elongated connecting element, embodied as display pole  10 , connecting a rack assembly, generally designated by the reference numeral  12 , with a base support assembly, generally designated by the reference numeral  14 . The rack assembly is used to display products  2  and product information cards  4 . The base support assembly  14  is mounted to a center divider  6  of a coffin freezer  8 .  
         [0033]    As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2, 3 and  4 , the base support assembly  14  includes two strap assemblies, generally designated by the reference numeral  40 , and an L-shaped member having a vertical arm  44 A and a horizontal arm  44 B. The horizontal arm  44 B of the L-shaped member is affixed to a mounting surface base member  15 , and may include an affixation element  13 . The affixation element may be embodied as an adhesive element with a peel-off layer which protects the underlying adhesive prior to use. The affixation element  13  may also be embodied as a magnet. Generally, the affixation element  13  is intended to hold the tower display until the strap assemblies are fully adjusted.  
         [0034]    The rack assembly  12  includes a frame member, generally designated by the reference numeral  18 , a coiled rod member  22 , and a plurality of hanger assemblies, generally designated by the reference numeral  24 .  
         [0035]    The frame member  18  has two upwardly extending arms  18 A joined by a generally horizontal rod member  18 B which is integral with the arms  18 A. For increased stability, the upwardly extending arms  18 A are formed with twice the thickness of the horizontal rod member  18 B through a doubling back construction as seen in FIG. 2.  
         [0036]    The upwardly extending arms  18 A are joined by a plurality of connecting rods, generally designated by the reference numeral  20 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 , these connecting rods include an uppermost rod  20 A, a pair of mid-level rods  20 B, and a pair of lowermost rods  20 C. The uppermost rod  20 A extends between the top portions of the upwardly extending arms  18 A, where the doubling back begins. The mid-level and lowermost rods are connected to opposing side surfaces of the arms  18 A, preferably by welding, soldering or other suitable technique.  
         [0037]    The coiled rod member  22  is connected to the uppermost rod  20 A. In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, there are two coiled rod members  22 , spaced apart from one another and extending upwardly from the uppermost rod  20 A. The coiling of the rod members  22  creates a narrow space between overlapping portions of the coils of each member  22 . Product information cards  4  or other elements can be inserted into this narrow space and are held securely thereby. The coiled rod is connected to the rod  20 A preferably by welding, soldering or other suitable technique.  
         [0038]    Each hanger assembly  24  includes a holder rod  26  and a product rod  28 . The holder rod  26  and the product rod  28  may have a unitary construction such as that shown in FIG. 2. With this construction, the connecting portion  30  extends substantially parallel with the upwardly extending arms  18 A of the frame, and is connected to the mid-level rod  20 B and the lowermost rod  20 C on one side of the frame  18 . At the free end of each holder rod is a holder  32  for product identification and price information. The product rods  28  may be used to display various retail products having construction or packaging suited for being hung on a rod.  
         [0039]    The lower end of the display pole  10  includes a pin  34  passing therethrough which is held in place by two cotter pins  36 , one on either side of the pole  10 . Two U-shaped connectors  38  are attached to the pin  34 , each connector  38  having arms  38 A rotatably connected to the protruding portion of the pin  34  on either side of the pole  10  such that one U-shaped connector rests on one side of the pole and the other rests on the opposite side of the pole. The arms  38 A are joined by connecting portion  38 B, generally with a unitary construction.  
         [0040]    The horizontal arm  44 B of the base support assembly  14  is mounted to the center divider of a coffin freezer using the adhesive element  13  and the two strap assemblies  40 . Each strap assembly  40  includes an upper strap  40 A and a lower strap  40 B, joined by a buckle  42 . The overall length of the strap assembly is adjustable using the buckle  42  in a manner known in the art.  
         [0041]    The upper strap  40 A is looped over the connecting portion  38 B of the U-shaped connector  38  at one end and is connected to the buckle  42  at the other end. The upper end of the lower strap  40 B is connected to the buckle, and the lower end of such strap  40 B is connected to a strap hook  46 . The strap hook  46  has an eye  50  through which the strap  40 B is threaded, the strap  40 B then being sewn back upon itself to secure the strap hook thereto. At the end of the strap hook remote from the eye  50  is a gripper hook  48 . Other adjustable strap mechanisms could also be employed. The strap mechanism could also be made to include an elastic material.  
         [0042]    To mount the tower display rack to the center divider  6  of a coffin freezer  8 , the display pole  10  is centered on the divider  6 . A mounting surface base member  15  may be necessary to span the gap where two coffin freezers abut and provide a flat surface for mounting the pole  10 . The adhesive  13  on the base of the pole  10  provides initial stability for the tower display rack until the strap assemblies are in place.  
         [0043]    For each strap assembly, the strap hooks  46  are positioned on either side of the divider. The straps are adjusted to be of a length that allows the gripper hooks  48  to catch on an edge of the divider. Once the gripper hooks  48  are secured, the straps are tightened to exert a downward pull on either side of the display pole  10 . Each strap may be adjusted individually to ensure the generally perpendicular orientation of the display pole to the mounting surface  15 . So mounted, the tower display rack is firmly secured to the freezer and conveniently located for information and product display.  
         [0044]    An alternative structure for the base support assembly is depicted in FIGS. 5A, 5B and  6 . As shown, a U-shaped raised mounting surface base member, generally designated by the reference numeral  54 , may be used to accommodate a varying construction of the mounting surface. FIG. 5A shows a mounting surface in which each side of the divider has a raised portion  7 , with the two raised portions  7  separated by a space  9 . The raised mounting surface base member  54 , preferably made of metal, has a generally horizontal support portion  56  and two angular legs  58 . Extending down the longitudinal axis of the generally horizontal support portion  56  is a centering rod  60 . The base member  54  is placed over the raised portions  7  such that the centering rod  60  extends into the space  9 . The legs  58  provide stability on either side. The tower display rack is then secured with the strap assemblies as has already been described.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 5B shows a peaked mounting surface with built-in channels  150  defined by upwardly extending lipped edges  152 . The raised mounting surface base member  54  is placed over the uppermost edges  152  such that the centering rod  60  rests therebetween. The legs  58  extend into the adjacent channel  150  on either side of the uppermost edges  152  as shown.  
         [0046]    A second embodiment of a display tower in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.  7 - 14 B. The display tower, generally designated by the reference numeral  200 , includes a frame, generally designated by the reference numeral  118 , defining a holder and having elongated connecting elements, and an adjustable base mechanism, generally designated by the reference numeral  110 .  
         [0047]    The frame  118  includes two rod members, each having an upper doubled-back portion  118 A, a double-curved portion  118 B, an elongate connecting portion  118 C, and an outwardly curved bottom portion  118 D. In a preferred embodiment, the frame has a unitary construction, with the portions thereof being identified as just set forth for ease of reference. Alternatively, the frame could be constructed with a single rod construction in the upper portion, or without the double-curved portion.  
         [0048]    The upper doubled-back portions  118 A of the two rod members are joined by a plurality of connecting rods including an uppermost rod  20 A, mid-level rods  20 B and lowermost rods  20 C. These connecting rods are comparable to those disclosed in connection with the first embodiment. Also as in the first embodiment, at least one coiled rod member  22  extends upwardly from the uppermost rod  20 A. Product information cards can be inserted into a space created by the coiling of the coiled rod  22 . Thus, the upper portions  118 A with connecting rods and coiled rod member  22  constitute the holder.  
         [0049]    The holder may further include clipped on hanger assemblies  224  as shown in side and top views, respectively, in FIGS. 9 and 10. As with the integrally formed hanger assemblies  24  shown in FIG. 2, each clipped-on hanger assembly  224  includes a holder rod  226  and a product rod  228  joined by a connecting portion  230 . The connecting portion  230  is connected to a clip, generally designated by the reference numeral  235 , having an upper hook  235 A and a lower hook  235 B. The upper hook  235 A fastens over midlevel rod  20 B and the lower hook  235 B fastens over lowermost rod  20 C. Alternatively, the hanger assemblies  224  may be fixedly attached to the midlevel and lowermost rods as in the embodiment of FIG. 2.  
         [0050]    The holder is held in spaced relationship from the adjustable base mechanism by the elongate connecting portions  118 C of the two rod members. The elongate connecting portions  118 C are bridged by a plurality of reinforcement members  120 .  
         [0051]    The adjustable base mechanism  110  includes an adjustable reinforcement member, generally designated by the reference numeral  125 , first and second plate members  132 A,  132 B with first and second pairs of semicircular members  130 A,  130 B, and first and second base plates  136 A,  136 B.  
         [0052]    The adjustable reinforcement member  125  is here embodied as a divided reinforcement member having two end segments  122  and a center segment  124 . The divided reinforcement member  125  is hollow, defining a tubular channel running therethrough for receiving an elongated member, such as a bolt  126 , for adjusting the tension on the adjustable reinforcement member  125 .  
         [0053]    Each end segment  122  of the divided reinforcement member is fixedly connected to a respective elongate connecting portion  118 C. The center segment  124  is not connected to the end segments but is held between the end segments by the bolt, which extends through each end segment and through the center segment. The threaded end  126 A of the bolt  126  is engaged by a wing nut  128  for tightening and loosening of the bolt.  
         [0054]    The plate members  132 A,  132 B are flat and substantially equal in length. Each semicircular member has a semicircular edge and a flat diameter edge. A first pair of semicircular members  130 A is connected along a portion of the diameter edge to a first plate member  132 A. Plate member  132 A extends between and connects, while maintaining in spaced relationship, the first pair of semicircular members  130 A. Similarly, a second pair of semicircular members  130 B is connected along a portion of the diameter edge to a second plate member  132 B. Plate member  132 B extends between and connects, while maintaining in spaced relationship, the second pair of semicircular members  130 B. The portion of the diameter edge is preferably less than a radius length.  
         [0055]    As already noted, the plate members  132 A,  132 B are substantially equal in length, and the pairs of semicircular members are positioned near the ends of their respective plate members. As a result, one member of the first pair of semicircular members  130 A is in or nearly in physical contact with one member of the second pair of semicircular members  130 B on each end of the plate members to create what is termed herein as a mixed pair  130 A,  130 B adjacent each plate member end. When the two pairs of semicircular members are aligned, i.e., when the diameter edges of the semicircular members are substantially parallel with one another, the plate members  132 A,  132 B are substantially parallel and on a same plane with one another.  
         [0056]    Each semicircular member includes an arcuate aperture  146  therein which has an arc generally corresponding to the semicircular edge. The threaded end  126 A of the bolt  126  which extends through the divided reinforcement member  125  first passes through the arcuate apertures  146  in a first mixed pair of semicircular members  130 A,  130 B, then through end segments  122  and center segment  124  of the reinforcement member  125 , and finally through the second mixed pair of semicircular members  130 B,  130 A. The threaded end  126 A of the bolt  126  is then secured by the wing nut  128 .  
         [0057]    Loosening the wing nut  128  allows the bolt to be slidingly shifted along the length of the arcuate apertures  146 . Because the end segments  122  are fixed to the elongate connecting portions  118 C, sliding of the bolt within the arcuate aperture  146  changes the vertical orientation of the frame relative to the base. When the plate members  132 A,  132 B are adjusted to be on the same plane, the frame is substantially perpendicular to this plane when the bolt is off-center, relative to the semicircular edge portion of the semicircular members, by approximately the thickness of the elongate connecting portion  118 C, as representatively shown in FIG. 13A. When a desired angle of the frame is obtained, tightening of the nut fixes the bolt in position within the arcuate apertures.  
         [0058]    Each outwardly curved bottom portion  118 D engages a respective circular aperture  148  in the base of a respective mixed pair of semi-circular members  130 A,  130 B. Therefore, in addition to the adjustability of the bolt within the arcuate apertures, the semicircular members  130 A,  130 B may be rotated around the axis created by the outwardly curved bottom portions  118 D extending through such circular apertures  148 . By rotating the first pair of semicircular members  130 A relative to the second pair  130 B, the outer longitudinal edges of the plate members are brought closer together, as shown in FIG. 14A. This adjustability allows the orientation of the plates to be modified to fit particular mounting surfaces.  
         [0059]    The underside of each plate  132 A,  132 B is provided with a magnet  134 A,  134 B. Preferably the magnets  134 A,  134 B extend along a significant portion of the length of the plates. The magnets may be rectangular, as shown, or may comprise several smaller magnets, of any suitable shape, space along the underside of the plates. Depending upon the strength of the magnets, the tower display  200  may be secured to a suitable metal mounting surface using only the magnetic force of the magnets, if desired. Thus, it is possible to mount the base mechanism  110  of FIG. 13A directly onto a flat surface of appropriate ferrous or other magnetically engaging material.  
         [0060]    According to the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS.  7 - 14 B, however, the adjustable base mechanism  110  of the tower display includes base plates  136 A,  136 B, shown in FIGS. 13B and 14B, to facilitate secure mounting of the display. A first base plate  136 A engages, along an upper surface thereof, with the magnet  134 A underlying the first plate  132 A; similarly, a second base plate  136 B engages, along an upper surface thereof, with the magnet  134 B underlying the second plate  132 B. Again, the magnets  134 A,  134 B, while shown as a single rectangular element, may be embodied with other shapes or as multiple smaller magnets, such as a plurality of circular, oval, polygonal, magnets, etc.  
         [0061]    Each base plate  136  is elongated, with ends thereof preferably having rounded corners. The length of the base plates  136  is greater than the length of the corresponding plate members  132 . Near each end of each base plate is a circular aperture for receiving a bolt  142 . The bolt  142  is secured with a wing nut  144  on the upper surface of the base plate. A fastening member  138  having a fastening corner  137  and an arm  139  is secured to the lower surface of each end of the base plate with the bolt  142 . The fastening member  138  can be rotated around the bolt, which serves as a pivot point, as shown in FIG. 11.  
         [0062]    The fastening member  138  is generally planar but includes a flange  140  that extends, relative to the base plate, upwardly from the outer end of the arm  139  and is substantially perpendicular to the planar portion of the fastening member  138 . The fastening members  138  with corners  137  and flanges  140  are used to secure the base plate  136  to standard slotted channels  150 , as depicted in FIG. 12. As shown, using the flanges  140  for grip, the fastening members  138  are rotated to position the corners  137  under the lip of the edges  152  defining the channels  150  where, once caught thereunder and with the wing nuts  144  tightened, the base plates are securely held in place.  
         [0063]    In each embodiment, the tower rack and display are preferably constructed of metal rods with an outer coating of paint, plastic, etc., to prevent corrosion, improve appearance, and smooth over any rough edges. The frame and hanger assemblies could alternatively be constructed of some other material such as plastic, vinyl, wood or other material provided such material has sufficient structural strength and resistance to breakage to withstand normal use and installation of the device. Alternative means of connecting the strap assemblies to the display pole could also be used without departing from the intended scope of the invention.  
         [0064]    The foregoing descriptions and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not limited by the dimensions of the preferred embodiment. Numerous applications of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.