Patent Publication Number: US-2011068074-A1

Title: Dual layered display building block

Description:
The present invention relates to display systems for displaying goods, for example in a sales stand, and in particular to modular systems which enable displays to be built in a variety of different configurations. 
     Modular display systems exist in many different forms, the desirable characteristics being transportability, ease of assembly and versatility. Examples of such known systems are simple pin-board displays with a grid of holes in which are engageable display hooks in a variety of different positions and spacing allowing products to be hung on the hooks for display purposes and, similarly, display tray systems in which different sized trays are provided which can be located in a variety of different positions and which receive items for storage and display purposes. The problem with existing systems, however, is that in each case there are limits to the versatility of the system and, in particular for most systems, once configured for one application or space, the options for later re-configuration for other applications are much more limited. 
     Furthermore, current prior art systems rely on the provision of additional means for displaying product information such as price, etc, associated with the product. As such, separate pricing labels must be applied to products or to the display itself which, when removed, leave an unsightly glue mark. 
     According to the present invention, there is provided a block member which forms part of a modular display system comprising a pair of planar members removably connectable together to form a dual-layer arrangement, the planar members abutting together at mating planar faces, each of which has at least one fastening means which align with each other to connect the planar members together, and each planar member having fastening means associated with at least one edge for cooperating with fastening means provided on another block member in order to connect to said another block member for forming the modular display system. 
     The present invention further provides a modular display system comprising a plurality of block members connected together along edges, each block member being formed by a pair of planar members removably connectable together to form a dual-layer arrangement, the planar members abutting together at mating planar faces, each of which has at least one fastening means which align with each other to connect the planar members together, and each planar member having fastening means associated with at least one edge for cooperating with mating fastening means associated with an abutting edge of a neighbouring block member in order to secure said block members together. 
     A modular display system in accordance with the invention has the advantage that the interchangeable nature of said modular pieces enables each member to be connected to each other in many different ways such that many different display items can be accommodated and many varieties of display system created. Furthermore, the position of the planar member fastening means being toward the edge of said planar member enables information to be held between said planar members and thus within the block member without the need for glue or the like. Such information, for example a price label or picture, can thus be removed without leaving a mark when the modular display system is reconfigured for a different use and one or a pair of transparent planar members could form the block member, thus allowing the information held therein to be seen from just one side or either side of the block member. 
     Advantageously, the fastening means comprises at least one fastener, a magnet for example, which co-operate with each other to secure the planar members together as well as to securing adjacent block members to each other. This has the advantage that the modular elements of the display system to be attached and removed repeatedly without reducing the integrity of said fastening means. 
     Preferably each planar member is made of a light, durable and transparent material such as Perspex and, furthermore, the fastening means are positioned in each corner of the square planar member. 
     At least one aperture is preferably provided in one face of a planar member such that display items can be secured, for example pegged, thereto. Advantageously, a series of apertures are present in equi-spaced rows. 
     Preferably, at least one of the planar members which form the block member is transparent such that an item placed between the layers is visible through said transparent planar member. 
     It will be apparent that many types of fastening means could be used instead of, or in conjunction with, magnetic means and, similarly, many different means other than pegs could be used to secure items to the planar face of the display system. For example, each planar member may be provided with holes in which pegs are engageable in order to secure panels together. Alternatively, clips may be utilised which connected planar members together as well as connect block members together. Also, planar members of different size could be fastened together to form a dual-layered block member as long as the fastening means associated with each member aligned. 
    
    
     
       In order that the invention may be well understood, there will now be described an embodiment thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of each of the components of the modular display system; 
         FIG. 2(   a ) is a perspective view of the modular display system, showing two block members connected perpendicularly; 
         FIG. 2(   b ) is a perspective view of the modular display system, showing three block members connected with associated connecting members; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a pin for use with a display system according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a top view of a block member which forms part of the display system of the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 3   c  is a bottom view of the block member of  FIG. 3   b ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the display system of the second embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the components of a modular display system  100  and a first example configuration of said display system  100  is shown in  FIG. 2(   a ). The display system  100  comprises two square block members  101  connected perpendicularly along an edge to form and ‘L’ shape. Each block member  101  comprises a pair of square planar members  102  to form a dual-layered block and said planar members  102  are held together by fastening means  103  located at each of the four corners. The fastening means  103  is of the form of magnetic blocks secured within the planar members  102 . 
     Rows of equi-spaced apertures  104  are located on the top face of the planar member  102  that forms the base of the ‘L’-shaped display system  100 . The apertures  104  are sized to receive a peg  105 , each peg  105  being a press fit in said apertures  104 . 
     A second example configuration of the display system  100  is shown in  FIG. 2(   b ). A connecting member  106  of the form of a metal block which is magnetically attractive of a length equal to the width plus the thickness of a block member  101  is secured to the edge of the base block member  101  by the associated magnetic fastening means  103 . 
     The length and width of the connecting member  106  is such that, when secured to the edge of the base block member  101 , said connecting member  106  can support a further block member  101  perpendicular thereto and further connecting members  106  can be fastened to the other edges of the block members  101  such that many different shapes of modular display system  100  can be built. 
     The modular nature of the display system  100  enables each connecting member  106 , planar member  102  and block member  101  to be interchangeable with the next and, therefore, many different shapes of display can be built. Furthermore, said interchangeableness of components means that many varieties of display can be achieved by using components of different colours, shapes and degrees of transparency. Additionally, apertures  104  in a face of a planar member  102  can be sized to receive many different peg shapes or the like such that many different display items can be secured thereto. Finally, the display system  100  is easily assembled and disassembled without the need for screws, glue or the like. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , there is shown an alternative system which is identical with the embodiment described above except that the layers of each block member are provided with apertures in which pins are engageable in order to secure the layers together to form the block member as well as to connect each block member to its an abutting block member or to an corner block which is provided to form a perfect cube. 
     In particular, as shown in  FIG. 3   b , corner holes are provided for securing the layers together. Additional holes are then provided on the top surface of the block for mounting a display item in place. Holes may then be provided in the edges of the block members for attaching to another block member. Alternatively, clips may be used to secure each block to its neighbouring block.