Abstract:
A bracket system for a display unit can be arranged in a tiered array, one bracket depending from the other. Each bracket includes a back portion, a base and a front portion. The front is shorter than the back portion and the back of each bracket depends from the front of the prior bracket, thereby to provide a progressive tiered array of displays depending downwardly from the first bracket towards subsequent lower arranged brackets to form a display arrangement.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a display system and brackets for the display system. In particular, it relates to brackets for inter-association with each other to promote for altered and multiple display arrangements as selected for a user. 
     Display systems typically include a back panel provided with a surface to attach display fixtures. One of those systems can be a conventional pegboard panel having regular horizontal if and vertical patterns of holes through which different fixtures can be attached. Another panel sold by the Assignee of this Application under the trade name Uniweb® (a trademark of Uniweb, Inc.) has horizontal gripping ridges at regular intervals from which fixtures can be securely hooked. It is desirable to have such panels arranged so that different display elements can be located on the display panel in a manner to provide increased versatility so that the merchandiser can arrange the display according to the desired end user need. This end user need may be retail display of merchandise, such as literature or magazines, or alternatively it can be of a service nature for holding different materials such as books, literature or other features, for instance in a medical practice. 
     The different known systems are unduly complicated to fabricate or have limited versatility. 
     This invention is directed to providing an improved display system which minimizes the disadvantages of prior known displays and brackets for such displays. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, a bracket for display is provided. The bracket includes a back member for hooking onto a panel, a base from the back member and a front portion. The front portion is preferably shorter than the back portion and provides for supporting the back portion of a subsequent bracket. The profile of the first bracket and the second bracket are substantially the same in transverse cross section. Subsequent third and fourth brackets can have similar or the same cross-sectional profiles. The lengths of each of these brackets can vary and in this manner, different lengths of brackets and display units are provided. 
     By having the tiered arrangement of brackets, one bracket depending from a prior bracket, and wherein the first bracket is supported by the panel, there is provided an effective system for displaying products and services in a tiered arrangement tending downwardly and forwardly. Such brackets can be made of any suitable material, the brackets having an appropriate cross section of different lengths to provide the requisite displays. 
     By this invention there is provided a combination bracket and display device which is an effective improvement over prior display and bracket systems. 
     The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing multiple display devices in tiered arrangement depending from a panel, with magazines shown in the display panels. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the opposite side showing the display device mounted on the panel without the magazines. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of a bracket in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the panel in a tiered bracket arrangement, one bracket depending from the other in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the panel and multiple brackets in tiered arrangement. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing different display units depending from a panel. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A tiered array of display units or shelves  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 , and  15  is sequentially supported on a vertical panel  16 . The vertical panel  16  includes a front face  17  with horizontally extending rail-like members  18  each of which provides a hook face upwardly directed formation  19  in spaced relationship. Between each hook arrangement there is effectively a space  20  into which a hook formation from a first bracket can be connected. 
     In the arrangement shown in the figures, the panel  16  is vertically disposed, for instance as illustrated in FIG.  4 . In other forms of the invention, the panel  16  can be angled appropriately, for instance up to  10  and preferably about  8  degrees forwardly. Thus, it would tilt so that the base portion is ahead of the top portion of the panel  16 . 
     A first bracket for securing the multiple display units includes a back portion  21  which includes a hook element  22  for engaging in the hook  19  on the display panel. The hook element  22  includes a rearwardly and downwardly spaced element directed to behind the portion  21 . The top of the back portion  21  is relatively narrowed to the mid-portion  23  of the back portion. The back portion effectively tapers from a narrow portion towards the top to a thickened portion towards a base  24  for the bracket. 
     Also protruding rearwardly from the base  21  is a protrusion element  25 . The space between the top  26  of the protrusion  25  and the internal top  27  of the hook  22  is spaced to be substantially equal to the height between a top lip  28  of a front portion  29  and the bottom  30  of the front portion  29 . As such, the front portion  29  of an adjacent bracket can fit between that space in a mating accommodating arrangement. Between the back portion  21  and front portion  29  there is located the base portion  24  to provide a space  31  for accommodating merchandise to be displayed. Between the top portion  28  and the bottom portion  30  of the front portion there is a tapered formation wherein the top is narrower than the base portion  30  of the front portion. The base portion  24  is substantially equal in depth between the front and the back. Each of the internal corners  32  and  33 , and external comers  34  and  35  are camphored or rounded appropriately. The top  28  of the front face  29  and top of the panel  23  are also rounded or camphored appropriately. 
     When a second bracket  11  depends from the first bracket  10 , the back portion  21  depends from the front portion  29  of a prior bracket. In this manner, an effective tiered arrangement of brackets is provided which depends downwardly from the back towards the front and permits for an effective display for merchandise. 
     As shown, the cross-sectional profile of brackets  10 ,  11 ,  12  and  13  are substantially the same. This permits for effective extrusion of different bracket formations for the display unit. The different display units or brackets can be of different lengths. Thus the lengths of the display units  13 ,  14  and  15  are shorter than that of  10 ,  11  and  12 , as can be seen in FIG. 11 Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5, there is a display unit  36  of different lengths. In FIG. 6, there is the display unit  37  of different lengths. In this manner, different display configurations can be achieved. 
     The extrusion method for forming these brackets effectively requires a mold of a suitable shape to be formed through which the extruded bracket can be formed. The extrudable material can be aluminum, acrylic or other suitable moldable material. 
     Although the length of the base portion  24  of each of the brackets  10 ,  11 ,  12  and  13  are shown to be substantially equal, there can be configurations where the length of the base  24  varies from one bracket to another. In this manner, different display configurations can be provided. 
     Inside, towards the top of the back portion  21  there is a thinned portion  38  which forms part of the hook  22 . This provides for sufficient flexibility and accommodation of the lip  39  at the top  28  of the front portion  29 . To the appropriate degree, sufficient springiness may be provided by having the portion  38  thinned effectively. 
     Although the invention is being described with reference to U-shape type display elements, which each effectively provides a tray to receive display materials, there could be other forms of the invention. 
     Many of the forms of the invention exist, each differing from the other in matters of detail only. 
     In one other system of display, for instance, there could be protruding, horizontal shelf-type formations provided at a discrete location from the back portion. The shelf can have formations which extend forwardly or be sufficiently strong to support product at each level. For instance, a shelf-type formation extending forwardly can be located at a location slightly upwardly of the rearwardly protruding portion  25 . This would be at a slightly higher level than the top  28  of the front portion. It should be sufficiently spaced so that the back portion of a subsequent bracket can fit and be connected to the front portion of a prior bracket element. 
     Horizontal or angular shelf portions or the like may extend out to different lengths. In such a formation it may not be necessary to have the U-shape formation bracket, with front, base and back portions in a similar fashion to that shown in the figures. The means for supporting shelves in the tier-type arrangement may or may not include the actual shelf itself or it could just be means for supporting a separately fitted shelf arrangement or the like. 
     Although a panel is disclosed as the support for the bracket, there can be other situations having a different support for the first bracket of the tiered system. 
     The invention is to be determined in terms of the following claims.