Abstract:
The present invention relates to a fixturing system for display of commercial merchandise including first and second side supports, first and second back support cross-braces, the cross-braces diagonally interconnecting between the first and second side supports, and first and second caps, the caps having a first substantially planar surface, the planar surface sized to correspond to the spacing between the external portion of the first and second side supports and to extend the depth of the side support, the caps including a lip to engage the first and second side supports.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/742,970, filed Dec. 6, 2005, entitled “Modular Display Apparatus”, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The inventions generally relate to the field of storage and merchandising units. More particularly, the inventions find particular applicability in storage and merchandising units such as for use in “big box” and warehouse stores.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Various storage and merchandising systems are known to the art. Of particular interest are merchandising sets which are particularly adapted to hold and display a relatively large number of items, typically where a relatively small number of items are contained within. For example, in a hardware sales context, a merchandising set may be utilized for the sale of various types of handles, and the handles are contained within various bins within the merchandising set. Typically, the bins are provided in a vertical grid system. Optionally, a horizontal label cover is provided for each row.  
         [0004]     Often times, the systems provide for complete full metal drawers. The drawers often are of a pull-out type, such as those utilizing ball bearing slides. Optionally, injection molded plastic inserts may be utilized within the drawers. In yet other implantations, adjustable dividers are utilized.  
         [0005]     In yet other existing implementations, a full metal drawer may be utilized with a slanted label area. Again, various slide mechanism, partitioning mechanisms and dividers are typically provided.  
         [0006]     Heretofore, many of the merchandising set systems would come with side and back enclosures which would substantially enclose the merchandise. While useful for certain applications, especially where environmental issues are important. However, the additional cost and weight of such enclosures may not be necessary or desirable for all applications. Accordingly, it is desired to have an improved merchandising set and system for storage and merchandising of various parts and components.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention relates to a fixturing system for display of commercial merchandise including first and second side supports, first and second back support cross-braces, the cross-braces diagonally interconnecting between the first and second side supports, and first and second caps, the caps having a first substantially planar surface, the planar surface sized to correspond to the spacing between the external portion of the first and second side supports and to extend the depth of the side support, the caps including a lip to engage the first and second side supports.  
         [0008]     In the preferred embodiment, the fixturing system includes a plurality of drawers sized to insert between the first and second side supports.  
         [0009]     In the preferred embodiment, the fixturing system also includes drawers which are slidable into and out of the fixturing system.  
         [0010]     Accordingly, it one object of the invention to provide an improved merchandising set allowing for greater flexibility, reduced cost and reduced weight.  
         [0011]     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a merchandising system with easily adjustable spacing. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the fixturing system of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2A  is a front view and  FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the drawer rack of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a front view,  FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view at cut line A-A and  FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of the upright frame.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the top cover.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a divider.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a base plate.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a bulk drawer.  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a drawer having a slant.  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a drawer front.  
         [0021]      FIGS. 10A-10G  are various perspective, side and cross-sectional views of a slide.  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a peg hook system.  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  shows perspective and exploded views of the technique for manufacturing the merchandising set.  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective and exploded view of the peg system merchandising set and the technique for its design and assembly. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the fixturing system of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, side supports  10 ,  12  form a first and second pair of side supports for a first display portion of the system. A back support, preferably formed of a cross-brace system including first and second cross support braces  14 ,  16  are provided. The first and second cross-braces  14 ,  16  serve to fixably arrange the first and second side supports in a generally parallel arrangement. A first and second cap  18 ,  20  is provided. Preferably, the cap serves to be sized so as to accommodate the width and depth of the merchandising set as defined by the outer boundaries of the first and second side supports  10 ,  12 . The depth is preferably sized to equal that of the depth of the side supports  10 ,  12 . Optionally, the cap includes a lip  22  which will be external to at least the first side support  10 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 2A  shows a front view of the drawer rack system and  FIG. 2B  shows a perspective view of the system. The numbering convention is the same as for  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 2A and 2B  further include various drawer arrangements. Upper drawers  24  are provided for a slide out attachment to the system (described below, see, e.g.,  FIG. 10A -G). Optionally, lower drawers  26  may be of a different structure, such as where the front face portion is angled, such as to display a printed description of the goods contained therein in a direction permitting easier viewing by the potential customer.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  shows a detailed drawing of the first, second side support  10 ,  12 . As shown in the side view of  FIG. 3A , the side support preferably includes first and second vertical members  32  and top cross member  34 . Preferably, the first and second vertical members  32  are provided with a plurality of attachment points  36 , shown here to be a generally square hole through the frame. The top member  34  preferably connects the vertical members  32 . Optionally, as is shown in cross-section  FIG. 3B , the side support  10  may be formed from a c-shaped channel. Preferably, the channel is formed of metal or other sufficiently rigid and durable material such as plastic or the like.  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a top cap  20 . Preferably, a side lip  42  is provided to cover the system, and to be sized so as to fit external to the first and second vertical portions of the frame  10 . Optionally, one or more tongues  44  may be disposed generally at the ends of the cap  20 . The tongue  44  is preferably adapted to insert within the top slot  38  (see  FIG. 3C ). This arrangement further provides for a lateral stabilizing force.  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one implementation of a divider. Preferably, the divider  50  includes a front angled portion  52 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is a perspective drawing of one form of a base plate. The base plate may be sized to have a width equal to the overall width of the unit. Optionally, the depth of the base plate may be either equal to the overall depth of the system, or may be substantially less deep than the overall system.  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective drawing of a bulk drawer. The drawer  70  includes a base  72 , a back portion  74 , sides  76  and a front  78 . Optionally, the front may have various forms of handle arrangements, such as the angled lip  80  shown in  FIG. 7 . Other forms of handles will be apparent to those of skill in the art.  
         [0032]      FIG. 8  shows a version of a drawer. The front  82  is angled in a generally upward direction. Such an arrangement is particularly useful for providing a surface to provide printed label materials, and to orient the printed materials in a direction towards the potential customer. Alternate handle structure  84  is shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 9  shows an alternate arrangement for a drawer front  90 . In one embodiment, the drawer front  90  is angled at substantially 90 degrees to horizontal.  
         [0034]     FIGS.  10 A-G provide an example of the slide system  100 . A stationary piece  102  cooperates with slide  104  to provide linear sliding motion for the drawer. Attachment tabs  106  are provided. In one embodiment, the attachment tabs  106  may be oriented in different directions, such as shown in  FIG. 10C , namely, where a first tab  106  is oriented in a generally backward direction for insertion into the racking system, and a second tab  106 ′ is oriented in a generally vertical direction for insertion into the system. Alternately, the tabs  106  may be oriented in a similar direction, such as both being oriented in a generally vertical matter, disposed with the tag  106  directed downward.  
         [0035]      FIG. 11A  is an exploded view an  FIG. 11B  a perspective view of a peg hook and backboard utilizable consistent with the present inventions. A multi-peg system  110  permits for parallel attachment of goods adapted through their packaging to hang on pegs. One or more pegs may be utilized in this arrangement. In the preferred embodiment, the system is further provided with a display portion  112  onto which a printed tag may be affixed to identify the corresponding goods and associated commercial information, such as price, size, SKU and the like.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 12 and 13  shows a perspective view and an exploded view of the technique utilizable for the merchandising set. The base is first provided, typically adjacent the ground. The side portions may then be affixed and attached by the cross braces. Finally, the top cap may be affixed. Alternately, the top cap may be attached prior to the connection of the cross braces.  
         [0037]     Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.