Abstract:
A product display includes at least one shelf and a plurality of product displays. The at least one shelf is configured to receive a stack of product packages thereon. The product displays are pivotally mounted, at spaced intervals, along the at least one shelf. In a first position, each product display supports a product generally in front of the stack of product packages on the at least one shelf, and in a second position, each product display is pivotally moved away from a front of the stack of product packages to enable direct access to the stack of product packages.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/963,000, filed Oct. 12, 2004, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Display of clothing apparel and shoes has long been an important part of enticing consumers to purchase merchandise. Many retail stores, particularly department stores, place their inventory alongside the displayed apparel and/or shoes. In some instances, shoes are displayed on or near a shelf, which also contains the inventory of shoes. Accordingly, upon seeing a desired item on display, the consumer can readily grab the same type of item from inventory for purchase. However, because of the location of the displayed shoe at the shelf, the displayed shoe can interfere with access to the items on the shelf. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, display of consumer apparel, such as shoes, boots, skates, etc. still present a challenge between achieving a highly-visible mounting near a shelf and providing convenient consumer access to boxes of those items adjacent to the displayed product. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Embodiments of the invention are directed to a product display system. In one embodiment, the product display system includes at least one shelf and a plurality of product displays. The at least one shelf is configured to receive a stack of product packages thereon. The product displays are pivotally mounted, at spaced intervals, along the at least one shelf. In a first position, each product display supports a product generally in front of the stack of product packages on the at least one shelf, and in a second position, each product display is pivotally moved away from a front of the stack of product packages to enable direct access to the stack of product packages. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a product display system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a product display system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a product display assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view as taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 , according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view illustrating a product display assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating installation of a product display assembly on a shelf, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating installation of a product display assembly on a shelf, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a partial sectional view of  FIG. 7 , according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a partial side view of a product display assembly illustrating pivotal movement, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a partial side view of a product display assembly illustrating pivotal movement, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a partial side view illustrating a product display assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. 
         [0018]    Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an assembly for displaying a product, such as an in-line skate, that is pivotally mountable to a shelf for movement between a first position adjacent the shelf, and a second position away from the shelf to enable removal of items from the shelf. The assembly is biased to return the displayed product back to the first position. In the first position, this assembly enables the product to be fully viewable outside of its box for quick and convenient examination by a consumer. In its second position, this product display assembly enables both placement of a boxed product on the shelf immediately behind the displayed product and easy removal of the boxed product for further examination and/or purchase by the consumer. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the product is an in-line skate, which is mounted to the product display assembly at a portion of the skate that permits the wheels of the skate to be turned freely, independent of mounting. This free-spinning mounting feature further entices customer to purchase the item, because of their ability to test and play with the wheels of the skate. 
         [0020]    These features, and additional features, of embodiments of the invention are described and illustrated in association with  FIGS. 1-11 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a product display system  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , display system  10  comprises shelves  12 , display signs  14 , one or more product display(s)  16 , and product boxes  18 . Each product display  16  supports a single product  17 . In one embodiment, product  17  comprises a skate, such as in-line skate. In other embodiments, product  17  comprises boots, shoes, and/or apparel that are configured for mounting substantially similar to an in-line skate. Shelves  12  support boxes  18 , with several boxes  18  stacked vertically and arranged side-by-side on each shelf. Product displays  16  are mounted at laterally spaced intervals along a front edge  19  of shelf  12 . 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , boxes  18  rest on shelves  12  behind a respective product display  16 , which reveals to a consumer the type of product contained in boxes  18  on shelf  12 , preferably immediately behind product display  16 . Product display  16  enables a consumer to examine the product in detail without having to pull a box of the shelf, and open the box to see the product. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  further illustrate product display  16 , which comprises product display assembly  50  including biasing mechanism  52 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , product display  16  is pivotally mounted to front edge  19  of shelf  12  via biasing mechanism  52  to enable product display  16  to be pivoted generally outward (shown by directional arrow A) at an angle relative to front edge  19  of shelf  12 , thereby enabling access to boxes  18  for unrestricted sliding movement of box  18  relative to product display  16  (shown by directional arrow B). In one embodiment, in the second position product display  16  is generally perpendicular to front edge  19  of shelf  12 . In this second, open position, product display  16  permits boxes  18  to either be removed from shelf  12  or placed on shelf  12  without disturbing adjacent product displays  16  along shelf  12  or adjacent boxes on shelf  12 . After removal or placement of box  18  relative to shelf  12 , the consumer releases their hold on product display  16 , at which time biasing mechanism  52  (shown in more detail in  FIGS. 3-11 ) causes product display  16  to pivot back to its rest position (shown in  FIG. 1 ). In one embodiment, the lateral spacing between adjacent product displays  16  on a single shelf is selected to generally correspond to a width of a box  18 . In other embodiments, this lateral spacing between adjacent product displays  16  is great enough to enable some boxes  18  to be removed without pivoting of product display  16  and/or adjusting adjacent boxes  18  on shelf  12 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of product display assembly  50 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , product display assembly  50  comprises biasing mechanism  52 , first plate  54 , second plate  56 , and product support arm  60 . 
         [0025]    Product support arm  60  includes first portion  61  and second portion  62 . Second portion  62  includes elongated mounting slots  64 ,  66  and outer end  68  while first portion includes end  69 . First portion  61  and second portion  62  of arm  60  are generally perpendicular to each other and together form junction  70 . 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, mounting slots  64 ,  66  are sized and shaped for securing a wheel frame portion of an in-line skate  17  onto second portion  64  of product support arm  60 . The elongated shape of slots  64 ,  66  enables the in-line skate to be positioned at variable locations along a length of second portion  64  of product support arm  60 . In one embodiment, this variable positioning enables mounting of the in-line skate  17  so that a rear end of skate  17 , closest to junction  70  of arm  60  does not swing into contact with front edge  19  of shelf  12  when product arm  60  is pivoted fully to the second open position (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , biasing mechanism  52  is fixed on first plate  54  and extends upward and generally perpendicular to first plate  54 . Biasing mechanism  52  comprises pivot  80  including lower portion  82  and upper portion  84 . Lower portion  82  comprises first generally cylindrical member  86  mounted in base  88  of first plate  54 . Second portion  84  of pivot  80  is adapted to rotate (i.e., pivot) relative to lower portion  82 , and comprises among other things, second generally cylindrical member  100  and collar  100 . In one embodiment, first and second generally cylindrical members  86 ,  88  are formed from a polymeric material, such as a polyethylene material, and angled contact surfaces  92 ,  104  are slidably movable relative to each other. In another embodiment, first and second generally cylindrical members  86 ,  88  are made from a non-polymeric material. In another embodiment, first and second generally cylindrical members  86 ,  88  additionally include a coating, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene coating, on angled contact surfaces  92 ,  104  to facilitate slidable movement relative to each other. 
         [0028]    In addition, stop mechanism  160  is formed on or about upper portion  84  and lower portion  82  to enable limiting pivoting of upper portion  84  relative to lower portion  82 , as further described and illustrated later in association with  FIGS. 5 , and  9 - 11 . 
         [0029]    First plate  54  is adapted to secure biasing mechanism  50  to shelf  12 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , first plate  54  comprises body  130 , holes  134  (shown in  FIG. 5 ), and tab  136  that extends outward from body  130 . Tab  136  extends within a plane that is generally parallel to but spaced from the plane in which body  130  extends. Second plate  56  is configured to secure first plate  54  relative to shelf  12 , and comprises body  140  with slot  142 , and fastening holes  146  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). Mounting of first plate  54  and second plate  56  relative to shelf  12  is further described later in association with  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0030]      FIGS. 4 and 5  further illustrate components of biasing mechanism  50  including pivot  80 .  FIG. 4  is a sectional view of  FIG. 3 , illustrating lower portion  82  and upper portion  84  of pivot  80  while  FIG. 5  is an exploded view of revealing additional aspects of those same components. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , upper portion  84  of pivot  80  of biasing mechanism  50  comprises additional components such as second generally cylindrical member  100 , post  120 , spring  122 , fastener  124 , and cap  129 , all of which are housed within or on collar  110 . Second generally cylindrical member  100  of upper portion  84  includes body  102 , angled contact surface  104 , center hole  105 . Body  102  of second generally cylindrical member  100  is fixed within collar  100 . In addition,  FIG. 4  also reveals additional aspects of lower portion  82  of biasing mechanism  50 , such as first generally cylindrical member  86  which includes body  90 , angled contact surface  92 , and center hole  93 . Body  90  of first generally cylindrical member  86  is mounted in collar  88 . 
         [0032]    Post  120  of pivot  80  is fixed to first plate  54  and extends upward from body  130  of first plate  54 . Post  120  extends through center hole  93  in first generally cylindrical member  86  of lower portion  82  and through center hole  105  in second generally cylindrical member  100  of upper portion  84  into collar  110 . Spring  122  is interposed between body  102  of second generally cylindrical member  100  and fastener  124 , which is secured relative to post  120  to exert a downward pressure on spring  122  against second generally cylindrical member  100 . 
         [0033]    In one embodiment, fastener  124  comprises washer  125 , nut  126  and threaded end  128  of post  120 . In other embodiments, fastener  124  comprises other fixation mechanisms, such as clamps, rings, etc, fixable on post  120  and/or protrusions or recesses on post  120 , capable of maintaining its relative position along a length of post  120  and also exerting a downward pressure on spring  122 . 
         [0034]    Angled contact surfaces  92 ,  104  of first and second generally cylindrical members  86 ,  100  reciprocate each other when lower portion  82  and upper portion  84  are in contact with each other in an at-rest position, as shown in  FIG. 4 . In one embodiment, each angled contact surface  92 ,  104  forms an angle of about 45 degrees relative to a horizontal plane that is generally parallel to body  130  of first plate  54 . A more detailed explanation of the interaction of angled contact surfaces  92 ,  104  in the at-rest position, and in a pivoting position, is provided in association with  FIGS. 5 , and  9 - 11 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  also illustrates second portion  62  of arm  60  extending from collar  110  downwardly at an angle (.alpha.) relative to a longitudinal axis of collar  110 , which results in second portion  82  declining slightly less than a generally horizontal plane. Angle (.alpha.) is selected so that gravitational forces acting on a product, e.g., skate attached to second portion  62  of arm  60  cause further downward pressure on upper portion  84  of biasing mechanism to facilitate the return of arm  60  from a pivoted position ( FIG. 2 ) back to an at rest position ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  also further reveals stop mechanism  160 , which comprises protrusion  162  and stop surface  164 , which releasably engage each other to prevent rotation of upper portion  84  relative to lower portion  82  of pivot  80 . In one embodiment, protrusion  162  is formed in angled contact surface  104  of second generally cylindrical member  100  of upper portion  84  and stop surface  164  is formed in or on angled contact surface  92  of first generally cylindrical member  86  of lower portion  82 . In another embodiment, protrusion  162  and stop surface  164  are reversed so that protrusion  162  is formed in angled contact surface  92  of first generally cylindrical member  86  of lower portion  82  and recess  164  is formed in angled contact surface  104  of second generally cylindrical member  100  of upper portion  84 . In one embodiment, stop surface  164  comprises a recess. In other embodiments, stop mechanism  160  comprises other components, such as a pin formed on one of upper portion  84  or lower portion  82 , and a stop surface or catch formed on the other portion, so that movement in first rotational direction is limited at a pre-determined point about circumference of pivot  80  by releasable engagement of the pin and stop surface, and movement in a second rotational direction is generally unrestricted when the pin and stop surface are not engaging each other. Details of operation of stop mechanism  160  are further described and illustrated later in association with  FIGS. 9-11 . 
         [0037]    Finally,  FIG. 5  illustrates additional interaction of first plate  54  and second plate  56 . In particular, holes  134  in first plate  54  are configured for alignment with holes  146  of second plate  56  for mounting first and second plates  54 ,  56  relative to shelf  12 . Fasteners  148  are adapted for used with holes  134  and  146 , as described in association with  FIGS. 6-7 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are perspective views illustrating steps in mounting a product display  16  to shelf  12 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , with product  17  already attached to product support arm  60 , first plate  54  of product display  16  is positioned adjacent front edge  19  of shelf  12 , with holes  134  of first plate  54  aligned over corresponding holes  151  in shelf  12 . Tab  136  of first plate  54  is inserted into one of holes  151  of shelf  12  to protrude underneath shelf  12  for engagement with second plate  56 . In particular, with first plate  54  positioned over shelf  12 , second plate  56  is maneuvered underneath shelf  12 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , until slot  142  of second plate  56  slides over tab  136  of first plate  54 , thereby resulting in second plate  54  pressing against a bottom surface  152  of shelf  12  and holes  146  of second plate  56  aligning with holes  134  of first plate  54  and with holes  151  of shelf  12 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view illustrating first plate  54  and second plate  56  when fully mounted relative to shelf  12 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , tab  136  extends from first plate  54 , through holes  151  in shelf  12 , and through slot  142  of second plate  56 , with tab  136  acting to maintain second plate  56  in pressing contact against bottom surface  152  of shelf  12 . Fasteners  148  secure first plate  54 , second plate  56  and shelf  12  together. In one embodiment, holes  146  of second plate  56  include a threaded portion for receiving fasteners  148 . 
         [0040]    In one embodiment, securing holes  146  of second plate  56  are arranged to enable use of a single second plate in multiple orientations relative to shelf  12  to accommodate different patterns of holes  151  in shelf. In one example, one combination of securing holes  146  on second plate  56  are arranged to match up with rows of holes  151  on shelf  12 , and correspond to slot  142  extending generally parallel to front edge  19  of shelf  12  (as shown in  FIG. 7 ). In another example, second plate  56  is rotated 90 degrees before mounting (as represented by directional arrow A), to enable securing holes  146  to match up with rows of holes  151  on shelf  12 , which corresponds to slot  142  of second plate  56  extending generally perpendicular to front edge  19  of shelf  12  in the mounted position. Accordingly, the number and configuration of securing holes  146 , as well as their position and spacing relative to a position and orientation of slot  142 , enable dual use of second plate  56  in two different mounting orientations to accommodate different shelf designs. 
         [0041]    As mounted as shown in  FIGS. 6-8 , second plate  56  provides strength to shelf  12  at front edge  19  to assist shelf  12  in bearing the weight and motion of product display  16 . In particular, with frame product display  16  robustly anchored relative to shelf  12 , product display  16  is supported for pivoting of product arm  60  without interference from or sagging of shelf  12 . 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , product display  16  is mounted onto shelf  12  with product  17 , such as a skate or in-line skate, already mounted on product support arm  60 . However, in another embodiment, product  17  is attached to product support arm  60  only after product display  16  is mounted onto shelf  12 . Similarly, once product display  16  is mounted onto shelf  12 , product  17  can be removed from product support arm  60  without removing the remainder of product display  16  from shelf  12 . 
         [0043]    Finally, as further shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , in embodiments in which product  17  comprises a skate, support arm  60  is mountable to a wheel frame  157  of skate boot  156  to permit the wheels  158  of the skate to be spun freely while mounted relative to support arm  60 , and thereby while mounted relative to shelf  12 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 9-11  illustrate interaction of angled contact surface  92 ,  104  of lower portion  82  and upper portion  84 , respectively, as well as operation of stop mechanism  160 .  FIG. 11  corresponds to an at-rest, first position of product arm  60  while  FIG. 9  corresponds to an open, pivoted second position of product arm  60 . For illustrative purposes, pivotal movement of product arm  60  from the first position to the second position is considered movement in a first rotational direction while pivotal movement of product arm  60  from the second position to the first position is considered movement in a second rotational direction. 
         [0045]      FIG. 9  is a plan side view, illustrating product display  16  in a second open position, in which product support arm  60  is pivoted outward from front edge  19  of shelf  12  in a first rotational direction. This second position corresponds to the open position of product display  16  shown in  FIG. 2 . In this position, several factors combine to urge product arm  60  from the position shown to a rest position, which is shown in  FIG. 10  (also corresponding to  FIG. 1 ). First, a gravitational force on the weight of product  17  and product arm  60  tends to cause angled contact surface  104  of upper portion  84  to slidably rotate turn relative to angled contact surface  92  of fixed lower portion  82 . Accordingly, the shape of the angled contact surfaces  92 ,  104 , the slidable surface characteristics of those contact surfaces, and gravity all act to urge rotation of upper portion  84  relative to lower portion  82 . In addition, spring  122  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) exerts downward pressure on upper portion  84  (due to compression exerted on second generally cylindrical body  100  from spring  122 , caused by the position of fastener  124  relative to post  120 ), which further contributes to push upper portion  84  into downward, rotational sliding movement relative to fixed lower portion  82 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  further illustrates stop mechanism  160 , previously described in association with  FIGS. 3-5 , which limits rotational movement of upper portion  84  relative to lower portion  82  of biasing mechanism  50 . In the open position shown in  FIG. 9 , protrusion  162  of stop mechanism  160  does not engage recess  164 , and permits unrestricted rotation of upper portion  84  relative to lower portion  82  in the first rotational direction, and of product arm  60  away from front edge  19  of shelf  12 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 10  illustrates a partial contact of angled contact surface  104  of upper portion  84  on angled contact surface  92  of lower portion  82 , when support arm  60  is in second position. 
         [0048]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating product display  16  in an at-rest position. Product arm  60  (and product  17  mounted thereon) is returned from the second open position to the first, at-rest position upon manual release of product arm  60 , which enables the biasing forces (previously described in association with  FIG. 9 ) to cause pivotal movement of the product arm  60  in the second rotational direction. As shown in  FIG. 11 , stop mechanism  160  acts to limit rotation of upper portion  84  relative to lower portion  82  of pivot, in the second rotational direction, to cause product arm  60  to rest generally parallel to front edge  19  of shelf  12 . In particular, protrusion  162  of stop mechanism  160  slidaby fits into recess  164 , thereby preventing further rotation of upper portion  84  relative to lower portion  82 . Several parameters contribute to stop rotation of product arm  60  by overcoming the biasing force. These parameters include, among other things, the extent to which protrusion  162  is raised from contact surface  104  of upper portion  84 , the depth of stop surface  164 , as well as a width, length, and shape of the protrusion  162  and recess  164 . Each of these parameters can be varied to achieve the desired level of force to counteract the biasing forces, which tend to rotate upper portion  84  relative to lower portion  82 . 
         [0049]    Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an assembly for displaying a product (such as an in-line skate) that is pivotally mountable to a shelf for movement between a first position adjacent the shelf, and a second position away from the shelf to enable removal of items from the shelf. The assembly is biased to return the displayed product back to the first position. In the first position, this assembly enables the in-line skate to be fully viewable outside of its box for quick and convenient examination by a consumer. In its second position, this product display assembly enables both placement of a boxed in-line skate on the shelf immediately behind the displayed skate and easy removal of boxed skates for further examination and/or purchase by the consumer. 
         [0050]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.