Abstract:
A scroll advertising display device which utilizes a housing which includes a windup mechanism which is attached to a sheet member with the sheet member to be extendable from the housing and then retractable by the windup mechanism to be confined in conjunction with the housing. The housing includes a spindle on which the sheet member is wound. The spindle includes a pair of projections which are to engage in conjunction with a windup spring. The body of the spindle is formed as a pair of separate parts which are mated together with the exception at each end of the spindle is located a smaller diametered rod which is integral and formed as a single unit. A material dispenser may be connected in conjunction with the housing with the material dispenser adapted to dispense material, such as a scented gas, coupons, recipes or entry forms.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The field of this invention relates to display apparatuses and more particularly to an advertising information display which is to be mounted on an exterior structure, such as the front edge of a products supporting shelf within a store. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Scroll type of advertising devices have long been known. An example of such an advertising device is described within U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,800 which was obtained by the present inventor. Reference is to be had to this patent for a more complete discussion of prior art type of advertising devices. 
   Typical self service retail stores, such as drug stores, supermarkets, computer software stores, liquor stores and the like, have rows of multiple tier shelves which are to be used to support products for sale. The product, or the exterior package of the product, is visually displayed on the shelf. Generally, there are many units of a particular product stocked on that shelf. The consumer will normally select a product from the shelf without the assistance of a clerk. Therefore, the shelf also performs a dispensing function. 
   It is common for product manufacturers and distributors to want to include an advertisement or product information display at their shelf location for a particular product. While product is readily visible on shelf, the mere presence of the product, because the product is displayed with numerous other products on the shelf, may be insufficient to stimulate consumer interest. Shelf space in stores is a valuable commodity. The amount of shelf space assigned to each product is at a minimum. A given product can become “lost” on a shelf amongst all the other products. Also, the product may be enclosed in a small package so that there is no large “advertising” surface to catch the consumer&#39;s eye or the available space on the package may be insufficient to contain all the information that a manufacturer or retailer wishes to impart to a potential purchaser. Additionally, the product may be packaged in a plain wrapping or, in the case of produce, no packaging at all. There may be involved some kind of specialty promotion with a product that is not included on the package since the promotion may only run for a short period of time. In-store advertisements can also appear on other store pictures and free standing displays. 
   Manufacturers and retailers are becoming aware that advertising can be an exceedingly effective way in which to sell goods. Not only can the advertising motivate a consumer&#39;s purchase, but it can also be informative as to the consumer about the product. Shelf advertising is limited as to available space. The only convenient location for shelf advertising is at the edge of the shelf and can be limited by the size or the product packaging as well. The shelf edge is generally only one inch to one inch and one half in height. However, if some form of device could be mounted on the edge of the shelf, fixture or display and the device constructed in a manner to be expandable to a larger area so that additional information can be printed on the larger area and then made available to the consumer only when the consumer is interested in obtaining that information, then such an advertising device would be most desirable. Also, when the consumer is not utilizing the device, the device assumes a retracted state occupying a minimal amount of space when it is not used. 
   In the past, it has been known to mount a scroll type of device on the front end of a shelf where the scroll can be unwound to display advertising or information about a product, and then when released by the consumer, the device retracts to a small size, at-rest position. However, in the past, such scroll types of devices have been constructed to become complex and not being capable of being manufactured at a relatively inexpensive cost which is inherently necessary in order for widespread usage of such devices. Another problem with former scroll devices is that such visually blocked the price channel without including a space for the retailer to price inventor or bar code label. Modern stores rely on these labels for price, manage inventory and reordering stock. Additionally, the scroll type devices of the prior art have not been easily mountable on the front end of modern shelving requiring the use of an unattractive and rather large size C-type of clamping device that is used to clamp onto the shelf. It would be far more desirable to have such an advertising device which can be quickly and easily attached and detached to a product shelf, fixture or display without utilizing of bulky in size and unattractive clamping devices specifically, attach the advertising device to the price channel of modern retail shelving. 
   In the past, another way to include advertising at the point-of-purchase location on the shelf is to mount a freestanding sign which extends outward from the shelf. However, such freestanding signs protrude into the aisle area which is used for the passage of the consumers with the result that such signs are frequently struck by the consumers and knocked free from the shelf therefor becoming ineffective. Also, the usage of such freestanding signs generally obscures the shelves making it somewhat difficult to the consumer to visually find a particular product that the consumer wishes to purchase. Also, such freestanding signs have to be quite small in size therefore being very limited as to the amount of information or advertising that could be placed thereon. 
   At times, when using a scroll type of advertising device, it may be desirable to include some type of a material dispenser in conjunction with the device. Previously, such a material dispenser has not been known in conjunction with scroll type of advertising devices. 
   Scroll type of advertising devices that use an extendable sheet material member, which when released will retract to a retracted position within a housing, may experience substantial usage over a short period of time. This substantial usage can result in failure of the advertising device unless the advertising device is constructed in a manner to withstand this heavy usage. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A first main embodiment of scroll advertising device which utilizes a housing having a windup mechanism. A sheet member is connected to the windup mechanism. The sheet member is extendable from the housing and the sheet member is also retractable to be substantially confined within the housing. Advertising indicia and/or product information is to be located on the sheet member. A material dispenser is to be associated with the housing. The material dispenser adapted to dispense material by activation by a human. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the dispensing material comprising a scented fluid. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the material that is dispensed comprises pieces of paper. 
   A second main embodiment of the present invention comprises a scroll advertising display device which utilizes a housing that has an internal chamber. Mounted within the internal chamber is a spindle. An inner end of a sheet member is attached to the spindle with a pull handle being attached to the outer end of the sheet member. A windup spring is located within the internal chamber of the housing. The sheet member is to be wound on the spindle compressing of the windup spring which exerts a bias onto the spindle tending to locate the sheet member in a tightly wound position with the pull handle located directly adjacent the housing. Movement of the sheet member in an outward direction from the housing causes extension of the sheet member and upon release of same will be retracted into the housing with the pull handle located directly adjacent the housing. The spindle has a first pair of projections formed in a spaced apart arrangement forming a gap therebetween. The windup spring terminates at each end in a hook with a hook to be located within this gap. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the spindle having a second pair of projections located in a spaced apart arrangement also forming a gap therebetween. A second windup spring may be associated with the second pair of projections. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the inner end of the sheet member including a reinforcing member in order to strengthen the sheet member in order to withstand extended period of time of constant usage without breaking. 
   A third main embodiment of the present invention is where there is utilized a housing which has an internal chamber and within that internal chamber is rotatably mounted a spindle. A windup spring is associated with the internal chamber with the windup spring connecting to the spindle. A sheet member is mounted in conjunction with the spindle and the windup spring is to be capable of locating the sheet member in a retracted position with the sheet member being manually extendable from the housing against the bias of the spring when desired by the human user. The spindle is defined as being formed of a cylindrical body terminating at each end in a smaller diameter rod. Each rod is integral and functions as a retainer for the windup spring. Also, each rod is journaled in an end cap which is mounted on the housing. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the third basic embodiment is modified by the spindle having a pair of projections located in a spaced apart arrangement forming a gap therebetween. A windup spring terminates at each end in a hook. This hook is to be located within this gap. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention comprises a fourth main embodiment of scroll type of advertising display device where a housing has a spindle. The spindle is rotatably mounted on the housing. The spindle has a pair of projections located in a closely spaced apart arrangement forming a gap therebetween. A windup spring connects between the housing and the spindle. The windup spring terminates at one end in a hook with this hook connecting with the gap. The windup spring exerts a continuous bias on the spindle. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where there is a fifth embodiment comprising a scroll type of advertising display device which has a housing which includes a spindle with this spindle being rotatably mounted on the housing. The spindle is defined as being formed of a cylindrical body terminating at each end in a smaller diameter rod. Each rod being integral and forming a solid unit and functions as a retainer for a windup spring. Also, each rod is journaled in an end cap which is mounted on the housing. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric view of the main embodiment of scroll advertising display device of the present invention showing the arrangement of the extendable sheet member relative to a spindle and the arrangement of the spindle relative to a housing; 
       FIG. 1   a  is a cross-sectional view through line  1   a – 1   a  of  FIG. 3  showing in more detail the dispensing slot for the extendable sheet material member; 
       FIG. 2  is a partially exploded isometric view of the scroll advertising display device of the present invention showing in more detail the mounting arrangement between the housing and the spindle; 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view similar to  FIG. 2  but showing a locking ring which is utilized in conjunction with the housing in order to lock an end cap in a fixed position on the housing thereby establishing maintaining a desirable level of bias in conjunction with the spindle which will function to move an extendable sheet member to a retracted position; 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the scroll type of advertising device of the present invention showing the position of the advertising device as it would be installed on a conventional article supporting shelf within a store; 
       FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  but shows a first form of material dispenser mounted in conjunction with the advertising display device; 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the advertising display device of the present invention showing a second form of material dispenser that is mounted in conjunction with the advertising display device; 
       FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the advertising display device including a manually actuatable scent emitting dispenser mounted in conjunction with the display device; and 
       FIG. 8  is an isometric view similar to  FIG. 7  but where the scent is emitted by means of extending of the sheet member rather than requiring direct manual activation of the scent dispenser. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring particularly to the drawing, there is shown in  FIGS. 1–3  the main embodiment of scroll advertising display device  10  of this invention. The advertising display device  10  has a cylindrical housing  12 . In exterior appearance, the cylindrical housing  12  has a flat face  14  which is formed partially on lineal protrusion  16 . Lineal protrusion  16  is formed integral with the cylindrical housing  12 . The reason lineal protrusion  16  is utilized is in order to maximize the flat area of flat face  14 . Also integrally connected to the cylindrical housing  12  is an attaching flange  18  which has an exterior flat surface on which is mounted a section of double sided tape  20 . The purpose of the double sided tape  20  is to facilitate attachment of the cylindrical housing  12  to an exterior structure, such as the front edge of a shelf. The flat face  14  can be used to fixedly secure thereto a plate, such as plate  22  in  FIGS. 4–6 , plate  24  in  FIG. 7  and plate  26  in  FIG. 8 . 
   The cylindrical housing  12  is basically hollow and has an internal chamber  28 . Mounted within the internal chamber  28  is a spindle  30 . The spindle  30  has a cylindrical body which is constructed of part  32  and part  34 . Mounted within the confines of part  32  are three in number of spaced apart protruding pins  36  and three in number of spaced apart sockets  38 . Mounted on the inside surface of the part  34  is a similar series of protruding pins  40  and a similar series of sockets  35 . A pin  36  is to align with a socket on part  34  and a pin  40  is to align with a socket  38 . Each pin  40  is to matingly engage with a socket  38  and each pin  36  is to matingly engage with a socket  35 . The parts  32  and  34  are then pressed tightly together with the pins  36  and  40  passing respectively through a hole  42  formed within a sheet member  44 . There are six in number of the holes  42  all located at the inner end of the sheet member  44 . This inner end of the sheet member  44  includes a reinforcing layer  46  which is mounted on the sheet member  44 . The reinforcing layer  46  will normally comprise a thin layer of plastic. The function of the reinforcing layer  46  is to provide additional strength in the attachment between the sheet member  44  in conjunction with the spindle  30  in order to prevent tearing or breakage of the sheet member  44  during periods of extended use of the advertising display device  10  of this invention. 
   The part  32  terminates at each end in a collar  48  and a collar  50 . Integrally mounted on the collar  48  are a pair of spaced apart narrow, identical, bar-like projections  52  which has a gap  54  formed therebetween. Similarly mounted on the collar  50  are a pair of similar projections  56  which form a gap  58  therebetween. Integrally mounted to the collar  48  and extending outwardly therefrom is a short extension of rod  60 . A similar rod  62  is integral with the collar  50  and extends outwardly therefrom. Both of the rods  60  and  62  are integral and form a solid unit although such are hollow. Within previously referenced U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,800, the entire spindle, which was defined as a roller  42 , was split in half forming two equal sized parts. It has been found to be undesirable to have the rods  60  and  62  to be split in half as over time such tend to separate slightly. The hollow interior of rod  60  is to accommodate protrusion  64  of an end cap  66 , which is shown in  FIG. 2  of the drawings. An end cap  68  has a protrusion  70  which is to be mounted within the hollow interior of the rod  62 . As a result, the spindle  32  is journaled for rotative movement relative to end caps  66  and  68 . If the rods  60  and  62  separate slightly, the rotation of the spindle  30  will not be free and smooth and the sheet member  44  will not retract fully. End cap  66  is to be snapped onto one end of the housing  12  with end cap  68  being snapped onto the opposite end of the housing  12 . It is to be understood that there is a tight securement of part  32  to part  34  clamping therebetween the inner end of the sheet member  44 . 
   The sheet member  44  and spindle  30  is then to be inserted into internal chamber  28 . This is accomplished by sheet member  44  being conducted directly into lineal dispensing slot  45  which is open at one end and closed at the opposite end by wall  47 . Dispensing slot  45  is formed between a front wall  43  and a rear wall  41  which are integral with housing  12 . At the same time sheet member  44  is being slid into dispensing slot  45 , the spindle  30  is being slid into internal chamber  28 . The width of dispensing slot  45  is constant and approximately one-fourth of an inch. 
   A windup spring  72  is shown which is in the form of a coil spring. The windup spring  72  terminates at ends in the shape of hooks  74  and  76 . The rod  60  is to be located within the center area of the windup spring  72  with the coils of the windup spring  72  being exteriorly mounted on the rod  60 . Hook  74  is to be located in the gap  54 . There could be used a similar windup spring in conjunction with rod  62  although normally it is preferred that a single windup spring is all that is required. If a second windup spring is used, that is why projections  56  are available. The hook  76  is to engage with one of the several thin rod protrusions  78  which is formed on the inside surface of the end cap  66 . Mounted on the inside surface of the annular wall of the end cap  66  are a series of spaced apart teeth  80  which comprise a series of small bumps. Formed on the exterior surface of the housing  12  and directly adjacent the access opening into internal chamber  28  are a series of teeth  82 . The end cap  66  can be moved linearly inward as indicated by arrow  65  a very slight distance which will disengage teeth  80  from teeth  82 . This will permit the end cap  66  to be pivoted as indicated by arrow  63  to cause hook  76  to be pivoted as indicated by arrow  63  while hook  74  remains stationary. This will result in a bias being produced within the windup spring  72 . When the desired amount of bias has been achieved, the user is to manually move the end cap  76  lineally in an outward direction again in direction of arrow  65  which will cause the teeth  80  and  82  to engage. This fixes the end cap  66  to the housing  12  maintaining the selected amount of bias of the windup spring  72 . This bias within the windup spring  72  will be sufficient to just automatically fully retract the sheet member  44  to the retracted position against front wall  45  and rear wall  41 , which is shown in  FIGS. 4–8  of the drawings. Handle member  84  is attached to a cross bar  86 . The outer end of the sheet member  44  is merely draped over the crossbar  86  and is secured with an adhesive. The handle member  84  is to protrude through an opening formed within the outer end of the sheet member  44 . 
   Although there is shown an engaging connection between the end cap  66  and the housing  12 , there may not be such an engaging connection between end cap  68  and housing  12 . The end cap  68  may be just an idler type of end cap. Also, when the end cap  66  is located in position with teeth  80  and  82  engaged, it is desirable to insure that the end cap  66  remains in that position. For that purpose a plastic snap ring  89  is installed within a groove  90  formed within the housing  12 . A similar snap ring  88  is area  14  for advertising indicia, the user can apply a plate  82  with an adhesive onto the flat area  14 . The front surface of the plate  22  can be used for the placement of an additional written advertising indicia. 
   If the user wishes to dispense a pad  94  of coupons, recipes, entry forms or other similar written material, pad  94  can be adhesively secured onto the plate  22 . The user is to be able to manually tear off top sheet  96  of the pad  94  and utilize that top sheet in the desired manner. 
   Referring particularly to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a second form of coupon dispenser  98 . The dispenser  98  is to include a quantity  100  of coupons with it being understood that the top coupon  102  can be manually removed from the quantity  100 . 
   Referring particularly to  FIG. 7 , the plate  24  has mounted thereon a push button dispenser  104 . When the user pushes on the button  106 , a small quantity of a scent  110  is to be emitted through the opening  108 . The scent  108  will be a gaseous material. Typical dispensing of scents  110  would be a perfume or cologne. It is to be understood that manual activation of the push button  108  is by direct actuation by the consumer. 
   Instead of the actuation by means of a push button, a scent  112  could be dispensed through an opening  114  formed within a plate  26  of  FIG. 8 . A storage quantity of the scent  112  could be contained within storage container  116  mounted on the back side of the plate  26  and resting on the cylindrical housing  12 . It is to be understood that the scent  112  is dispensed each time the sheet member  44  is extended by pulling on the handle  84 .