Abstract:
A display fixture mounted on wheels and having a panel that can be pivoted between a horizontal and a vertical position may be easily position and configured for use as either a table or a gondola style store fixture to display merchandise by a single person in a store. Latch and stop assemblies may be provided to lock the panel in either the vertical or the horizontal position and to stabilize the fixture against tipping.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 15/018,589, filed Feb. 8, 2016, which is deemed incorporated by reference in its entirety in this application. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to display fixtures used in stores and other environments to display merchandise. More specifically, this invention relates to a display fixture that may be used either as (i) a vertical rack on which merchandise may be displayed, or (ii) table upon which merchandise may be placed. 
     2. Related Art 
     A variety of fixtures are used in retail stores to display merchandise to customers. Periodically, store operators will rearrange and reconfigure the store fixtures and the merchandise displayed thereon to entice customers to make purchases. 
     Many retailers find retail space to be at a premium and also find storage space to be limited. Thus, there is a need for store fixtures that can be reconfigured so they can be used in various ways and thereby eliminate storage issues. An example of such a fixture is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,226,172, granted on Dec. 28, 1965, to J. A. M. Bateman. The Bateman patent discloses a merchandise display fixture adapted to be arranged for use either as a table-top counter or as a gondola. As discussed in Bateman, at times it is desirable to display large quantities of merchandise within easy reach of customers, such as during certain promotional sale periods. A common way to display large quantities of merchandise is to stack them on a tabletop. At other times, it becomes desirable to obtain the maximum efficiency in the presentation of the merchandise so as to attract the attention of the customer by the manner in which the merchandise is displayed. Merchandise can be more attractively displayed and more easily examined by the customer using a gondola style fixture. Thus, Bateman discloses an apparatus that can be converted and used either as a tabletop, gondola, or a combination of a gondola and tabletop. Converting Bateman&#39;s apparatus is somewhat complex and not easily or efficiently achieved. This will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art reviewing the drawings of the Bateman patent and seeing the many different parts and assemblies that need to be reconfigured to convert Bateman&#39;s apparatus. 
     At the present time there is a real need for display fixtures that can easily, quickly and efficiently be converted between various configurations and which also can be easily moved about and locked in place, all by a single person and in less than a minute. Likewise, there is a real need for such display fixtures that can be converted without any tools and display fixtures that can be converted without extraneous parts (other than shelves and hooks) that are not permanently attached and, thus, can become separated from the display fixture and lost when not in use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Easily, quickly and efficiently converting a display fixture can be achieved by providing a display fixture including a base, first and second pillars each secured to the base and projecting upwardly from the base, and a panel member. The panel member comprises a first face and a second face, at least one tabletop panel, at least one grid panel, and a frame adapted to hold the tabletop panel and grid panel. The frame typically will include first and second sides and first and second ends. The panel is coupled to the two pillars by first and second pivot assemblies. These pivot assemblies pivotally attach the sides of the frame to the pillars such that the pivot assemblies define an axis of rotation about which the panel assembly rotates between a vertical position and a horizontal position. 
     First and second latch assemblies are also provided. These latch assemblies are adapted to releasably lock the panel assembly in either the first vertical position or the second horizontal position. The latch assemblies can be released to enable the panel to be pivoted (rotated) between the first vertical position and the second horizontal position. 
     When the panel is in the horizontal position, the fixture serves as a table. When the panel is in the vertical position, the fixture serves as a gondola style support system. More specifically, the first and second sides of the panel&#39;s frame may be provided with receiver slots similar to the receiver slots used in standard gondola style displays fixtures to mount shelves, bins and the like. The grid panel(s) of the panel assembly likewise allows various hooks and hangers to be coupled to the display fixture to support merchandise. 
     The above-referenced latch assemblies are very simple and easily operated. A latch assembly is associated with each of the pillars. Each latch assembly includes a stationary pin. Each latch assembly also includes a retractable pin movable between a retracted position and an extended position. Each latch assembly is adapted to lock the panel assembly in both the horizontal position and the vertical position. When the panel assembly is locked in the vertical position, the stationary pin of each latch assembly engages the first face of the panel assembly and the retractable pins of each latch assembly is in its extended position such that the retractable pins engage the second face of the panel assembly. When the panel is locked in the horizontal position, both the stationary pins and the retractable pins engage the first surface. When the retractable pins are retracted, the panel assembly is free to rotate between the first vertical position and the second horizontal position. 
     To assist the user with moving the display fixture between various locations, a plurality of wheels are attached to the bottom of the base to support the display fixture above a support surface. The wheels may be provided with a locking member so that rotation of the wheels is prevented. The locking members may be disengaged to permit the display fixture to be rolled across the support surface. Some or all of the wheels may be provided with casters to make it easier for the user to steer the fixture as it is being moved between various locations. 
     Whenever such wheels are provided, there is always the risk that the fixture might tip about the wheels if the weight of the fixture is not (or items the fixture is supporting are not) balanced. To address this problem, various stops may be attached to the bottom of the base. These stops may also be made retractable such that they engage the support surface when it is intended the fixture is to remain stationary. The stops may also then be retracted to permit the fixture to be more easily moved when it is desired to move the fixture. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and with reference to the following drawings in which like numerals in the several views refer to corresponding parts. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective exploded view of a display fixture made in accordance with the present invention with the panel assembly and a first vertical position; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the display fixture of  FIG. 1  with the panel assembly and a first vertical position; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the display fixture of  FIG. 1  with the panel assembly in a second horizontal position; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of the display fixture of  FIG. 1  with the panel assembly in the first vertical position showing the first face of the panel assembly and how it interacts with the latch assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the display fixture of  FIG. 1  with the panel assembly in the first vertical position showing the second face of the panel assembly and how it interacts with the latch mechanism; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view showing the latch assembly and pivot assembly of the display fixture of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the latch assembly and the pivot assembly of the display fixture of  FIG. 1  with the panel assembly in the horizontal position; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the latch assembly and the pivot assembly of the display fixture of  FIG. 1  with the panel assembly in the horizontal position; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view showing the various components of a pivot assembly the display fixture of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the wheels and stops of the display fixture of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the display fixture of  FIG. 1  with the panel assembly in the first vertical position and with hooks and shelves attached. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The description of the preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. In the description, relative terms such as “lower”, “upper”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “above”, “below”, “up”, “down”, “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “downwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawings under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms such as “connected”, “connecting”, “attached”, “attaching”, “join” and “joining” are used interchangeably and refer to one structure or surface being secured to another structure or surface or integrally fabricated in one piece, unless expressly described otherwise. 
     A display fixture  10  supported by a support surface  1  (such as the ground or a floor) is illustrated in the various drawings. The display fixture  10  includes a base  12  supported above a support surface  1  by a plurality of wheels  14  coupled to the bottom of base  12 . The wheels  14  may be provided with casters to assist in steering the display fixture  10  as the display fixture  10  is moved across the support surface  1 . The wheels  14  may also be provided with locks to prevent rotation of the wheels. Such locks and casters are well-known in the art. Such locks may be engaged to fix the position of the display fixture  10 . 
     Also shown in the drawings are a plurality of stops  16  coupled to the bottom of the base  12 . Stops  16  serve to prevent the display fixture  10  from tipping relative to the support surface  1  about the axis of rotation of the wheels. The stops  16  include a lever  18  and a pad  20 . The lever  18  is actuatable to lower the pad  20  into engagement with support surface  1 . When the pad  18  is in this position, the pad prevents tipping of the display fixture  10  about the axis of rotation of the two wheels  14 , see, e.g.,  FIG. 10 . The lever  18  is also actuatable to raise the pad  20  slightly off and out of engagement with the support surface  1  so that the display fixture  10  may more easily be transported via the wheels between locations. 
     The base  12  of display fixture  10  supports a first pillar  22  and a second pillar  24 . As one skilled in the art will appreciate from  FIG. 1 , the pillars  22  and  24  may be attached to the base  12  via upstanding supports  26  and  28  that mate with open bottoms of the respective pillars  22  and  24 . The pillars  22  and  24  are then bolted to supports  26  and  28  using standard bolts of sufficient length together with standard washers and nuts via holes  30  and  32 . The nuts, bolts and washers are not shown. These nuts, bolts and washers may be eliminated altogether if the supports  26  and  28  are long enough and the tolerances between the inside of the pillars  22  and  24  and supports  26  and  28  are sufficiently tight to prevent unintentional decoupling of the supports and pillars. 
     The pillars  22  and  24  support a panel assembly  40 . The panel assembly has a first face  42  and a second face  43 . The panel assembly  40  also includes at least one table top panel  44 , for example, a wood panel, and at least one grid panel  46 . In  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the table top panel  44  can be seen. In  FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 10 , the table top panel  44  can be seen through the grid panel  46 . 
     The table top panel  44  and the grid panel(s)  46  are held by a frame  50 . Frame  50  includes a first side rail  52 , a second side rail  54 , and a pair of end caps  56  and  57  extended between and joining the side rails  52  and  54 . At least one of the end caps  56 / 57  may be removable so the table top panel  44  and grid panel(s)  46  may be slid in and out of the frame to change the positions of the table top panel  44  and the grid panels  46  in the frame  50 . In the configuration shown in  FIG. 2 , it is advantageous to sandwich the table top panel  44  between two grid panels  46 . In the configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , it is advantageous to place the table top panel  44  over the grid panels  46 . 
     A first pivot assembly  60  is employed to couple side rail  52  of the frame  50  to pillar  22 . An identical second pivot assembly  60  is employed to couple side rails  54  of frame  50  to pillar  22 . As best shown in  FIG. 9 , each pivot assembly  60  includes a bolt  62  having a head  61  and a threaded shaft  63 , a plurality of washers  64 , a first sleeve  66  adapted to extend through a hole  67  extending through the associated pillar  22 / 24 , a second sleeve  68  adapted to extend through a hole  69  in associated side rail  52 / 54  of the frame  50 , and a nut  70 . The threaded shaft  63  of bolt  62  is adapted to pass through the washers  64  and sleeves  66  and  68 . The pivot assembly  60  is completed by then threading nut  70  onto threads of threaded shaft  63  of bolt  62  so that the rail of frame  50  is pivotally coupled to the pillar. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the bolts  62  of the two pivot assemblies  60  are axially aligned so that the panel assembly  40  is able to rotate between the vertical position shown in  FIG. 2  and the horizontal position shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Of course, it is important to be able to selectively lock the panel assembly  40  in both the vertical position of  FIG. 2  and the horizontal position  FIG. 3 . This is achieved by using a pair of latch assemblies like the latch assembly  80  best illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 . A latch assembly like latch assembly  80  is coupled to each pillar  22  and  24 . 
     Each latch assembly  80  comprises a stationary pin  82  which is permanently coupled to the pillar  22 / 24  along one of the sides of the pillar  22 / 24  and below the axis of rotation defined by the bolts  62  of the pivot assemblies  60 . The stationary pivot pins permanently extend from one of the pillars  22 / 24  toward the other pillar. Each latch assembly  80  further comprises a retractable pin  84  along the opposite side of the pillar  22 / 24  as the stationary pin  82 . Pins  82  and  84  are located at substantially the same height as the pillars  22 / 24 . As shown in  FIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 9 , the retractable pin  84  is slideably received in a pin housing  86 . The pin housing  86  is also provided with a slot  88 . A set screw  90  passes through the slot  88  and is turned in a first direction to lock the pin  84  to prevent pin  84  from sliding. The set screw  90  is turned in the opposite direction to unlock the pin  84  and permit it to slide between an extended and a retracted position. The set screw can also be used as a handle to slide the pin  84  in and out when the set screw is turned to the unlocked position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2, 4-6, and 10  the panel assembly  40  is held in the vertical position by latch assemblies  80 . Specifically, the stationary pins  82  of the latch assemblies  80  engage the first face  42  of the panel assembly  40  and the retractable pin  84  of each latch assembly  80  engages the second face  43  of the panel assembly  40 . More specifically, the side rails  52 / 54  of the panel assembly are sandwiched between the stationary pin  82  and retractable pin  84  of the associated latch assembly  80 . To unlock the panel assembly  40  from the vertical position, the set screws  90  are loosened allowing the user to slide the retractable pins  84  outwardly so they no longer engage the second face  43  of the panel assembly  40 . The panel assembly  40  can then be rotated into the position shown in  FIGS. 3, 7 and 8 . The panel assembly  40  can then be locked in the second horizontal position by extending the retractable pins  84  and tightening the set screws  90  to lock the retractable pins  84  in the their extended position and in face-to-face registration with the first face  42  of panel assembly  40 . As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , both the stationary pins  82  and the retractable pins  84  engage the first face  42  of the panel assembly  40  to hold the panel assembly  40  horizontal. The arrangement of the latch assemblies  80  allows the panel assembly to be repeatedly locked and unlocked and, when unlocked, rotated between the first vertical position and the second horizontal position. 
     When in the first vertical position, the display fixture  10  can be used much like any other gondola style fixture. As shown, the side rails of the frames have mounting slots  100  of the type typically used to mount shelves to the vertical supports of a gondola style shelving system. Also, the wires of the grid panels allow various hooks and hangers to be attached to the panel. In  FIG. 11 , hooks  102  project from the first face  42  and second face  43  of the panel assembly  40  of the display fixture  10 . The hooks  102  are secured to grid panels  46  which have been positioned in the frame to sandwich the table top panel  44 . Also, shelves  104  project from the first face  42  and the second face  43  of the panel assembly  40 . The shelves  104  include hooks adapted to be received within the mounting slots  100  in the front and back sides of rails  52  and  54 . The shelves  104  and hooks  102  allow merchandise (not shown) to be displayed using the display fixture  10 . The hooks  102  and shelves  104  are adapted to be easily mounted and easily removed. After removal of the hooks  102  and shelves  104 , the panel  40  assembly may be rotated into the second horizontal position and the table top panel  44  and the grid panels  46  rearranged in the frame  50  so that the table top panel  44  is on top. When the display panel assembly is in the second horizontal position and the table top panel  44  is on top, the display fixture  10  may be used like any other table and provides a stable horizontal surface for the display of merchandise. 
     Display fixture  10  can easily, quickly and efficiently be converted between various configurations and can also be easily moved about and locked in place, all by a single person and in less than a minute. Likewise, the display fixture  10  can by converted without any tools. Display fixture  10  can be converted without extraneous parts (other than shelves and hooks) that are not permanently attached. Thus, there are no parts than can become separated from the display fixture and lost when not in use. 
     From the foregoing, it will also be appreciated that although the specific examples have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that the following claims, including all equivalents, are intended to define the invention.