Patent Publication Number: US-2007119804-A1

Title: Modular magnetic fixture system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      Not Applicable  
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT  
      Not Applicable  
     BACKGROUND  
      The following generally relates to display devices and, more specifically, to an customizable modular magnetic fixture system that includes magnetically-mountable modules useful for display purposes that may arranged in limitless configurations along a backing plate and do not require unsightly mounting fixtures.  
      Retailers often try to appeal to consumers by creating attractive displays for the merchandise they sell. These displays typically include shelving, tables, and racks that are constructed with tools. The displays may usually be adapted for different configurations, thus allowing the retailers reasonable flexibility in designing their displays. The ability to manipulate a display is important due to the frequently required changes for seasons, new clothing lines, new product lines, and various other reasons. Further, attractive and innovative displays are perhaps one of the most important tools used by retailers to attract passers-by into the store. Therefore, whether retailers are targeting the occasional “window-shopper” or the in-store customer, their displays ought to be flexible, fashionable, and effective.  
      Diverse equipment used in constructing displays may be seen at almost any store. For example, clothiers use mannequins to model clothing. Inside, pants, shirts, and other garments may be neatly stacked on tables and shelves along the wall. Hangers and racks may also be used to hang the clothing. In other types of non-clothing stores, shelving is frequently hung to make efficient use of wall space and to maximize display space. However, unlike other more mobile equipment, such as tables and racks, shelving is often of limited utility because it is limited to certain assembly configurations and is difficult to drastically modify.  
      Shelving assemblies used for display and storage purposes are assembled utilizing several common elements. These elements include: mounting supports, shelf support elements, and a shelf. The mounting supports may typically consist of bars that are fastened to the wall with screws. This arrangement is very common for both commercial home uses. Basically, two bars are aligned vertical and parallel to one another—preferably in-line with studs from the wall—and several screws or nails are inserted through each of the bars and into the wall to secure the bars to the wall. Alternatively, the bars may be mounted horizontally, in a similar fashion. Next, the mounting supports include notches at a variety of positions or specifically designed cross-sections that are configured to receive the shelf support elements. The shelf support elements are attached to the mounting supports at any of the variety of positions or attached to the cross-section of the mounting element. Finally, the shelf is placed onto the shelf supports and items may be placed onto the shelf for display.  
      Several other wall display fixtures and assemblies exist in the prior art, but often only include small variations to the above-described shelving assembly. For example, although its unattractive appearance makes it unpopular for displays, peg board allows fixtures and shelves to be mounted thereon at numerous positions. When considering shelving assemblies and wall fixtures, these apparatuses commonly include a mounting element attachable to a wall and a support element securable to the mounting element.  
      Although these shelving assemblies are somewhat convenient and serve several important purposes for the average retailer, there are many limitations associated with such assemblies. Primarily, the retailer has limited configuration options. Configuration options are limited by the number of positions at which the shelf may be mounted, and specifically, by the arrangement of the mounting elements on the wall (which may themselves be limited by the arrangement of the studs in the wall). The result is a limited number of discrete positions and configuration options, regardless of whether peg board or multiple mounting elements are utilized. This particular drawback of prior art may often be frustrating for those retailers who require flexibility and ease in configuring their displays.  
      In addition, another drawback of the shelf assemblies and wall fixtures is the requirement of tools and stud support for adjustments and installation. Before installation, the retailer must be confident that the arrangement of the mounting elements will meet their needs, now and in the foreseeable future. In case the retailer wishes to change the overall arrangement, the retailer must use several tools to remove and reinstall the mounting elements. This process often leaves the wall in a state of disrepair, and paint and other touch ups may be required. Further, installation or reinstallation may be limited by the location of studs within the wall if the assembly or fixture is to be moderately load-bearing. Often, stud location limits the arrangement of the mounting elements to undesirable location that do not meet the needs of the retailer.  
      Further, one of the principal purposes of a display is to provide an attractive and appealing visual for customers. However, the aesthetic value of the display is lessened by the unnecessarily exposed mounting elements and fixtures that are not being utilized. For example, even though the shelf may be properly mounted on the mounting fixture (such as parallel vertical bars), the shelf only occupies a small portion of the available positions on the bars, thus leaving a pair of unattractive bare metal bars exposed on the wall and without any apparent value. In many establishments, an exposed mounting fixture completely detracts from the mood and visual effect that the retailer may be trying to achieve. Further, options such as peg board force the user to accept a hole-riddled wall texture in order to have the benefit of numerous mounting positions. As a result, retailers must either have an attractive mounting fixture, or plenty of merchandise to hide the mounting fixture from view. This predicament eliminates decorating options that many retailers long to exercise.  
      Therefore, there is an apparent need in the art for shelf assemblies and wall fixtures that allow for unlimited flexibility in mounting, adjusting, and decorating an existing wall structure. There is a need in the art for shelf assemblies and wall fixtures that are aesthetically attractive and eliminate exposure of unused portions of mounting elements. There is also a need in the art for a display system that allows the shelf assemblies and wall fixtures to be removed and reattached without causing damage to the wall, thus eliminating touch up work after reconfiguring.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY  
      In order to remedy many of the limitations in the prior art, including those mentioned above, a modular magnetic wall system is provided. The system is preferably utilized in stores for displaying items, including any type of merchandise, clothing, cookware, electronic gadgets, home furnishings, etc., and may effectively enhance the decor of the store. The system includes a magnetic backing plate and a module, but in preferred embodiments will include several modules of varying design, as discussed below. The module includes a base portion and a utility member. The base portion of the module is magnetically securable at a plurality of positions on the backing plate. In fact, because of its magnetic securement, the positions at which the base portion may be secured are virtually unlimited. In addition, the utility member projects outwardly from the base portion and is sized and configured to receive the item.  
      The system may be configured and designed to suit the various needs of a user. The module may include a magnetic element that is affixed to the base portion of the module. The magnetic element may be operative to magnetically secure the module at the plurality of positions on the backing plate. In this regard, the magnetic element may be made of various magnetic materials such as a neodymium magnet. Additionally, the magnetic element may be configured to include three magnets that are adhesively mounted to the module.  
      Furthermore, the utility member of the module may be configured to serve numerous purposes and to provide flexibility in the display of the items. For example, the utility member may include at least one hook, a notched bar, or a ledge for mounting a shelf thereon. In addition, the module of the system may further include a shelf that is sized and configured to be supported upon the ledge of the module. Other various uses and designs of the utility member may be implemented in order to satisfy the utility or aesthetic needs of the user.  
      In addition to providing improved utility and ease of use, the system may also be capably used in variously configured buildings. In order to install the system, the backing plate may be retrofitted to existing construction and be attachable to an existing wall. However, the backing plate may also be installed in new construction as well. Further, the backing plate may be mounted on a support sheet, such as MDF board. Additional modifications to facilitate use of the system may be made to the backing plate and support sheet such as including a lightening the support sheet by utilizing a series of perforations. Preferably, the backing plate should be at least 1/32 inch thick, and typically 1/16 to ¼ inch thick, which provides adequate magnetic attraction between the module and the magnetic backing plate.  
      Finally, the system may also be suited to the tastes and aesthetic needs of the user. In this regard, the backing plate may include a surface covering such powder coating, paint, wallpaper, suede, leather, and fabric. This additional feature provides distinct benefits by allowing the system to appear as a nomial wall and to take on any appearance as desired by the user. These beneficial aspects including in embodiments of the present invention, as well as other beneficial features, will be further described below. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a modular magnetic wall system including a backing plate and modules being magnetically secured to the backing plate;  
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the module including a base portion, a utility member configured as a ledge, a magnetic element, and a shelf mounted on the ledge;  
       FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the modular magnetic wall system wherein the backing plate is mounted on a support sheet;  
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the embodiment of the modular magnetic wall system illustrated in  FIG. 3  wherein the utility member of the module includes a hook;  
       FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the module illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3 , and  4  wherein the magnetic element comprises three magnets being adhesively mounted to the module;  
       FIG. 6  is a front view of the module illustrated in  FIG. 5 ;  
       FIG. 7  is a side view of an embodiment of the module wherein the utility member includes a notched bar;  
       FIG. 8  is a front view of the embodiment of the module illustrated in  FIG. 7 ; and  
       FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of the module illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a modular magnetic wall system  10 . The system  10  may be utilized in stores for displaying items. Such items may include any type of merchandise, clothing, cookwear, electronic gadgets, home furnishings, etc. One of the many benefits of the system  10  is that the system  10  allows a user to manipulate the color and appearance of the system  10  to match decor and create an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The system  10  may be implemented in any variety of retail stores and other offices, buildings, etc. For example, the system  10  may be utilized in residential or commercial construction, so as to benefit individuals both in home and at the workplace. The system  10  may also be installed in pre-existing construction as well as in new construction.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the system  10  includes a metallic, magnetic backing plate  12  and at least one module  14 . As illustrated by the exemplary embodiments in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the module  14  includes a base portion  16  and a utility member  18 , which are described in greater detail below. The base portion  16  of the module  14  is magnetically securable to the backing plate  12  at a plurality of positions on the backing plate  12 . For example, in  FIG. 1 , it may be imagined that the modules  14  may be moved to any position on the backing plate  12 , as required by the user. In fact, due to its magnetic securement, the positions whereat the base portion  16  may be secured to the backing plate  12  are virtually unlimited. This allows the user to arrange the system  10  in any desirable configuration, which is of tremendous benefit to retailers who must continually update and manipulate their displays. Referring again to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , upon being secured to the backing plate  12 , the utility member  18  of the module  14  projects outwardly from the base portion  16  and is sized and configured to receive the item for display. As such, the utility member  18  may receive such items as hats, clothing hung on hangers, shoes, boxed merchandise, etc.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the backing plate  12  may be sized and configured to cover a majority of a wall structure  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the backing plate  12  is preferably designed as a sheet of metal that is at least 1/32 inch thick. However, typical plate thickness may be from at least 1/16 to ¼ inch. It has been found that increasing the thickness of the backing plate  12  further enhances the magnetic attraction between the module  14  and the backing plate  12 . Therefore, it is contemplated that the thickness of the backing plate  12  may directly correspond to the application for which the system  10  is intended. For example, if the modules  14  are to be moderately load-bearing, it may be preferable to use a backing plate  12  of greater thickness, such as ⅛ to ¼ inch thick. As discussed further below, the thickness of the backing plate  12  may also correspond to the module  14  specifications in order to ensure sufficient magnetic securement of the module  14  to the backing plate. Further, the backing plate  12  may be made of any of a variety of metallic materials known in the art.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the backing plate  12  may be attached to existing wall structures  20 . The wall structure  20  may be an existing structurally load-bearing wall, or a free-standing wall. For example, the wall structure  20  may be constructed of a framework, such as made of wood, metal, or other materials, may be assembled and utilized as the wall structure  20  onto which the backing plate  12  may be mounted. For example, when the user desires to utilize the system  10  as a free-standing display, the user may construct the framework as required, and place the framework as desired. This would allow significant mobility and use of the system  10  in any variety of situations and store layouts.  
      The backing plate  12  may also be variously configured. The backing plate  12  may be attached to the wall structure  20  may be accomplished utilizing means known in the art. In some instances, the backing plate  12  may be designed to cover the entirety of a wall, from floor to ceiling. In other instances however, the size of the backing plate  12  may be optimized to cover only a portion of the wall such as from approximately 1-2 feet off of the floor to 8-10 feet in height. Such an optimized size of the backing plate  12  may be determined by the user and correspond to the layout of the wall structure  20  and the location, as well as the needs of the user. For example, if the user intends to utilize the system  10  to display items that are to be sold to customers, the user may need each item displayed with the system  10  to be within reach of the average customer. Thus, the backing plate  12  need only reach 6 feet from the floor. This would not only meet the needs of the user, but would also require less material and therefore be a more economical alternative than covering the entirety of the wall structure  20 . In other situations, the user may wish to limit the size of the backing plate  12  to correspond only to specific sections of the wall structure  20 , such as a column. In such situations, the backing plate  12  may easily be designed and installed according to user requirements. Such calculations and modifications of the backing plate  12  relative to the wall structure  20  may therefore be performed in response to user requirements.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the backing plate  12  may also be mounted on a support sheet  22 . This arrangement may be beneficial when the backing plate  12  is of a lesser thickness or smaller in size. The support sheet  22  may be any of a variety of natural or synthetic wood products, such as boards or constructed frames. In particular, fiberboard is a useful product that may serve as the support sheet  22 . Medium density fiber board (“MDF”) may be the preferred fiberboard due to its high strength properties and low cost. Nevertheless, other types of fiberboard and wood products may be utilized. Further, it may be desirable to construct the support sheet  22  as a framework, such as made of metal, wood, or other materials, which would provide maximum support and rigidity to the backing plate  12  without significantly increasing the combined weight of the backing plate  12  and support sheet  22 . This may be advantageous when utilizing large sized backing plates. Thus, the use of frames may reduce the weight of the support sheets. Otherwise, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the support sheet  22  may include a plurality of perforations in order to be lighter and easier to handle. Preferably, the support sheet  22  should be configured to ensure easy handling and minimal weight cost.  
      As mentioned above, one of the significant advantages of embodiments of the present invention is that the system  10  may be manipulated to be aesthetically pleasing as desired by the user. One of the prevalent drawbacks of prior art shelving assemblies and wall fixtures is that the assemblies and fixtures are not only unsightly, but also make it difficult for the user to decorate the wall because the assemblies and fixtures must be removed and reinstalled each time the user desire to reconfigure the assembly or fixture. In this regard, the backing plate  12  may include a surface covering  24  suited to the tastes and aesthetic needs of the user. The user may manipulate the surface covering  24  so that the backing plate  12  appears to be a normal wall or take on any appearance desirable by the user. For example, the surface covering  24  may be a simple coat of paint, powder coating, wallpaper, or also may include other products such as suede, leather, wood veneer, laminate, and fabrics. The surface covering  24  may also be any combination of materials desired by the user. Preferably, the surface covering  24  should be thin enough not to interfere with the magnetic securement of the module  14 . However, if a thicker surface covering  24  is desired, the module  14  may be alternatively configured to ensure proper magnetic securement despite the thickness of the surface covering  24 . In some instances, the user may prefer a metallic surface covering, which may be simply obtained by polishing the backing plate. Therefore, the flexibility of including the surface covering  24  allows the user to experiment with and to employ any design or pattern that they wish.  
      Once the backing plate  12  is properly mounted and finished with the surface covering  24  (as desired by the user), the user may then place the modules  14  onto the backing plate. The system  10  may include multiple modules  14 , and the modules  14  may be of differing designs. For example, referring again to  FIG. 1 , several modules  14  of differing design may be arranged according to user requirements such as to display hats, hang clothing, or other numerous merchandise and articles. As mentioned above, another of the advantages of the system  10  is that the user is not limited to a discreet number of positions whereat the modules  14  may be mounted. Instead, the user may place the modules  14  at certain positions on the backing plate, visually inspect the system  10 , and make any adjustments as necessary.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 4 - 7 , the module  14  may be configured in a variety of configurations in order to meet the needs of the user. As mentioned above, the module  14  includes the base portion  16  and the utility member  18 . Although primarily illustrated as being rectangular and planar in shape, the base portion  16  may be designed as a planar circle, three-dimensionally hemispherical, or may include any variety of designs, including any variety of cutting, bending, forming, etc. The base portion  16  may be decoratively designed in response to user requirements.  
      The base portion  16  of the module  14  is utilized to magnetically secure the module  14  to the magnetic backing plate. The base portion  16  of the module  14  may vary in size corresponding to the configuration of the utility member  18  used on the module, as further described below. The dimensions of the base portion  16  may therefore be determined in response to the utility member  18  and the intended use (such as loading capacity) of the module  14 . Magnetic securement of the module  14  may be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, the base member itself may be magnetic. However, in preferred embodiments of the invention, best illustrated in  FIGS. 2, 4 ,  5 ,  7 , and  9 , the module  14  includes a magnetic element  26  that is affixed to the base portion  16  of the module  14 . The magnetic element  26  may therefore serve to create the magnetic securement between the base portion  16  and the magnetic backing plate  12  at the plurality of positions described above. The magnetic element  26  may be attached to the base portion, or as mentioned, may be integral with the base portion  16 . The magnetic element  26  may be adhesively attached to a rear surface of the base portion  16  as shown illustratively in  FIGS. 5 and 9 . Such adhesion may be performed utilizing epoxy, super glue, or other suitable adhesives. In addition, the magnetic element  26  may be recessed within the base portion  16 .  
      The magnetic element  26  may be one of a variety of materials that exhibits desirable magnetic properties. For example, a preferred magnetic element  26  includes neodymium magnets  28 . As best shown in the rear perspective views of  FIG. 5  and  9 , it is preferable to include at least three separate magnets  28  that are attached to the base portion  16 . The triangular arrangement of the magnets  28  illustrated in  FIG. 5  provides a high degree of magnetic securement between the module  14  and the magnetic backing plate  12  when the module  14  is smaller in size. However, for larger elongate modules  14 , such as that illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 9 , the magnetic element  26  may be four or more separate magnets  28 . Preferably, the least amount of magnets should be used—the proper arrangement of the magnets may allow this economizing of magnets to result in proper magnetic securement. Of course, specific calculations for determining low bearing capacity and magnetic securement may be performed and modifications may be made based on the needs of the user. In this regard, such calculations and modifications, including use of substitute magnetic materials, may be performed by one of skill in the art. Thus, the magnetic element  26  may be variously designed to provide optimal magnetic securement for the module  14  on the backing plate.  
      Furthermore, the module  14  includes the utility member, which may be designed in various configurations, some of which are illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 - 5 . As indicated, one of the principal purposes of the utility member  18  is to fulfill the display needs of the user. Thus, the utility member  18  may broadly include the use of any type of device, pole, branding tile, mirror, light, writing board, etc., just to name a few. Other exemplary embodiments of the utility member  18  are provided as follows.  
      For example, the utility member  18  may be a ledge  30 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The ledge  30  may be sufficiently wide and protrude at a desirable distance from the base portion  16  in order to provide usable space whereon the user may place items for display. Preferably, the ledge  30  is disposed perpendicularly to the base portion  16 . The ledge  30  may be formed integrally with the base portion, and the module  14  may therefore be formed from a single sheet of material that is formed into the base portion  16  and the ledge  30  by creating a bend in the module  14 . However, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the module  14  may further include a shelf  32  that is mountable to the ledge  30 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the shelf  32  may be sized and configured to be perpendicularly disposed relative to the wall and to the base portion  16 . In this regard, the shelf  32  may also be mounted to the ledge  30  with a rear edge of the shelf  32  contacting the backing plate. This configuration may tend to enhance the rigidity the shelf  32  by reducing any horizontal and vertical displacement of the shelf  32  when an item is placed at a distal edge of the shelf  32 . The mounting of the shelf  32  to the ledge  30  may be accomplished by fasteners or by adhesives known in the art.  
      In addition, the utility member  18  of the module  14  may also be configured as a hook  34 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , if the user needs only to display a hat or hang the item thereon. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the utility member  18  may include a cylindrical bar that protrudes orthogonally from the base member. The cylindrical configuration of the utility member  18  is preferable in light of the low impact that the cylindrical configuration may have on the items that may be hung thereon—in particular, the rounded surface of the utility member  18  may ensure that no hard edges contact the item, which should be protected and maintained in pristine condition. The utility member  18  may also include the hook  34  at a distal end thereof for retaining items on the utility member  18 . However, it is also contemplated that the utility member  18  may be oriented and protrude upwardly at an acute angle with respect to the base portion  16 . Such a configuration may allow the utility member  18  to retain the item thereon due to the exertion of gravity on the item. Indeed, the utility member  18  may be variously sized and configured to provide maximum utility for the user. For example, the utility element may include a spherical knob at the distal portion thereof, may be shaped as a horn, or may include a plurality of hooks or bars whereon multiple items may be hung. In addition, the utility member  18  may be configured to be a unique decorative symbol, and may likewise be decorated, painted, textured, or otherwise designed to fit the aesthetic needs of the user.  
      Furthermore, other configurations for the utility member  18  may include a notched bar  36 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The notched bar  36  may include a series of notches sized and configured to receive hangers or other items. As mentioned briefly above,  FIG. 9  illustrates the module  14  including the ledge  30  and the shelf  32 . Such an embodiment also serves to illustrate that the base portion  16  of the module  14  may be considerably wider than tall, thus allowing great flexibility in determining the length of shelving. However, although  FIG. 9  illustrates the utility member  18  including the ledge, it is also contemplated that there may be multiple utility members attached to the base portion  16 . Thus, a series of hooks  34  or notched bars  36  may be attached to the base portion  16 . The variety of configurations illustrated and described herein are given by way of example, and it is contemplated that numerous other designs and configurations may be developed in response to user requirements.  
      The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope of the invention disclosed herein, including various ways of manufacturing and using the module  14  and system  10 . Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.