Patent Publication Number: US-10327570-B2

Title: Product display and system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field of the Invention 
     This disclosure is directed toward a display assembly, and more particularly a collapsible and portable display and system for the presentation of golf club shafts wherein a supported generally planar surface provides most of the support for the display system. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In the golfing industry, it is important that the club manufacturers are able to provide sizing or fitting of their golf clubs to the golfing public. Often, this takes the form of fitting sessions, wherein a representative of the manufacturer visits preordained sites and conducts fittings to determine what specifications would be best suited for each individual golfer. Proper fitting of the clubs involves selecting club head properties such as model, center of gravity properties, lie angles, loft angles, and weights; shaft properties such as length, weight, tip stiffness, flex, and flex point. Of course, the goal is that the golfers will achieve better performance with their fitted clubs and purchase the manufacturer&#39;s golf clubs, therefore these sessions are a very important step in the selling process. 
     Today, a golfer selecting a driver from manufacturers has ten or more different shaft manufacturers to choose from, and some of these manufacturers have as many as twenty different specification options. First, a golfer must decide between steel and graphite, and then the golfer must decide between flexes (Ladies, Seniors, Regular, Stiff, or X-Stiff), or weight (for example, 54 to 88 grams), or torque (which can range, for example, from 2.2° to 4.5°), or launch point (low, medium or high), and some golfers may prefer a shaft that is an inch shorter or longer. It is therefore apparent that it is important for the manufacturer&#39;s representative to be able to carry with him or her and be able to present and display a large assortment of shafts with varying specifications. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,584,861, incorporated in its entirety by reference herein, attempts to address one or more of these issues with a portable golf shaft display assembly. However, such an assembly is not readily adaptable to a true fitting scenario, in which, for example, at an outdoor “demo day,” manufacturers face crowds of potential customers milling about, in often windy conditions, and with the manufacturer&#39;s representative in need of a surface upon which to rest items, including golf club components for examination, presentation, and/or fitting purposes. Moreover, the concepts disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,584,861 include a system that is positioned close to the ground, and therefore is subject to inadvertent kicking or tripping, and includes crossed golf club shafts that may stick out into pedestrian traffic, creating a potential hazard, may be difficult to balance, remove, and replace, and present an unsightly, relatively disorderly, and even threatening/uninviting appearance similar to a pike redoubt or other military barrier. Such prior art concepts also provide little to no opportunity for branding or presentation of marketing materials. 
     Thus, there is a need in the art for means to allow a manufacturer representative to carry with him/her a large sampling of golf club shafts in a very compact, portable and easily carried case, and most important, one that is easy to set-up and display, and to effectively perform a fitting operation while using. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A product display is disclosed comprising a generally planar top panel and a side panel, the product display intended to be positionable over a hard, raised generally planar surface having a first size and shape, the generally planar top panel having a second size and shape substantially corresponding to the first size and shape, the product display further comprising a plurality of generally vertical longitudinal sleeves on the side panel. 
     The product display offers several advantages over conventional display devices. For instance, various aspects of the product display may advantageously enable the product display to be used with a generally planar support surface, such as a table, and assume a deployed configuration for displaying products, such as golf clubs during a golf club fitting session. Furthermore, the sleeves of the product display may allow products to be displayed in an appealing and orderly arrangement. The product display may also be easily transitioned from the deployed configuration to a stowed configuration by folding the panels into a small, compact, easy-to-carry shape. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features, obstacles and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken into conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a product display and product display system of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top plan view of a portion of a product display of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated an exemplary product display, generally  10 , of the present disclosure. The product display  10  may generally comprise a top panel  12  and one or more side panels  14   a - d  having one or more longitudinal sleeves  16  for displaying product (not shown). The product display  10  is specifically configured and adapted to enable quick and easy transport, set up, displaying of product, and stowage of the product display  10 . When in use, the product display  10  may display products in an appealing and orderly fashion, which is more likely to attract potential customers. 
     The top panel  12  and/or side panel(s)  14   a - d  may be fabricated of any convenient material, but preferably comprise a flexible material such as canvas, fabric, plastic sheet, and the like. The side panels  14   a - d  may be fastened to the top panel  12  or contiguous with the top panel  12 . If the side panels  14   a - d  are fastened to the top panel  12 , one or more fasteners may be used, for example, fasteners that allow the top panel  12  to be removed from the side panel(s)  14   a - d , such as Velcro™ strips, snaps, hooks, buttons, zippers, or by permanent fastening techniques such as being sewn, glued, riveted, stapled, or otherwise fastened together. In the case of a product display  10  comprising a rectangular or straight-sided top panel  12 , the product display  10  may comprise a side panel  14   a - d  attached to one, more, or all of the straight sides of the top panel  12 . For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the top panel  12  comprises four sides, and may thus have a front side panel  14   a , a right side panel  14   b , a left side panel  14   c , and/or a back side panel  14   d . Other configurations are of course possible. However, it is understood that the top panel  12  is not limited to a quadrangular shape, and may additionally be round, oval, elliptical, polygonal, or a shape with straight and curved segments. As illustrated, one or more of the side panel(s)  14   a - d , preferably a forward-facing side panel  14   a - d , may comprise branding and/or marketing indicia  15 . 
     The product display  10  may be positionable over a hard, raised, generally planar surface, such as a table  11  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 1 ). The table  11  may have a top  13  and three or four legs  17 . For outdoor use, three legs  17  may be preferred as they may permit more stable placement on uneven ground. Additionally or alternatively, the legs  17  may comprise telescoping shafts that may permit adjustment of the height of the table  11  and/or the leveling thereof. The legs  17  may be foldable for ease of transport and portability. The table top  13  may have any convenient size and shape, and may, for example, be round, square, oval, elliptical, rectangular, irregular, or otherwise. In one aspect, the table top  13  may comprise both straight and curvilinear segments, for example, a rectangular top with rounded corners. 
     The generally planar surface, such as a table top  13 , may have a first size and shape, in the case of the example product display  10  of  FIG. 1 , a generally rectangular shape, and the top panel  12  may have a second size and shape substantially corresponding to the size and shape of the generally planar surface to allow the product display  10  to neatly and conveniently be positioned thereon, as with a fitted table cloth. However, because the product display  10  is intended to display products, such as golf clubs  27 , golf club shafts  29 , and golf club grips  31 , which together may be of relatively significant weight, the product display  10  should be sufficiently durable and well constructed to resist pulls, tears, product deformation, product spilling out, etc. In this respect, the top panel  12  and side panels  14   a - d  are preferably adapted to be disposable in tension when the products are placed within the product display  10 . While the top panel  12  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  as a monolithic panel, it is contemplated that the top panel  12  may also comprise a plurality of straps, woven strips, netting, or other configurations that allow the product display  10  and the side panel(s)  14   a - d  to be supported by a raised, generally planar surface, such as a table, and substantially fitted thereto. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the product display  10  may comprise on one or more of the side panel(s)  14   a - d  a plurality of generally vertical longitudinal sleeves  16 . As used herein, the term “vertical” refers to a direction aligned with gravity. The sleeves  16  are “generally vertical” in the sense that the longitudinal direction of the sleeves  16  has at least one vector component aligned with gravity. In this respect, it is contemplated that the sleeves  16  may be offset from a vertical axis and may still be “generally vertical.” In its broadest sense, “generally vertical” may refer to any orientation of the sleeve  16  that is not aligned with a horizontal axis. 
     According to one embodiment, each sleeve  16  defines a sleeve opening that is adapted to receive a product for display. As illustrated, the sleeves  16  may be positioned proximate the upper portion of the side panel(s)  14   a - d . Such placement may permit the product, such as the golf club  27  or just its golf club shaft  29 , to be more securely positioned in the display  10  than the prior art, as the sleeves  16  may secure the golf club shafts  29  positioned therein. According to one embodiment, the forward-facing or front side panel  14   a  may be free or substantially free of generally vertical longitudinal sleeves  16  in order to permit the branding or marketing indicia  15  to appear unobstructed thereon, and/or to enable a customer to more readily approach the product display  10  and visualize the products being displayed, demonstrated, or discussed. A sales or other representative of the products being displayed may be positioned behind the product display  10 , for example, behind the back side panel  14   d  in order to further effective communication of the products being displayed, demonstrated, or discussed. 
     As also illustrated, the sleeves  16  may be spaced closely together and may be of a substantially cylindrical geometry. In one aspect, the sleeves  16  may be formed by using strips of canvas, cloth, or sturdy fabric such as that used for straps or ties, and may be sewn, riveted, or otherwise securely fastened to the side panel(s)  14   a - d , for example, in a “wave” pattern such as illustrated schematically in  FIG. 2 . In this aspect, the generally vertical longitudinal sleeves  16  may be formed, for example with a sturdy strap  20  that may, for example, comprise fire hose fabric, canvas, or other robust material. The strap  20  may, as illustrated, be formed into loops  22  and land regions  24 . The land regions  24  may be secured to the display, i.e., to the side panel(s)  14   a - d , for example, by being sewn or riveted thereto. Although the exemplary embodiment shows the sleeves  16  as defining a closed loop, it is understood that in other embodiments, the sleeves  16  may include straps, clips or other devices adapted to maintain the products relative to the side panels  14   a - d  in a desired display orientation. 
     In yet another aspect, one or more of the plurality of generally vertical longitudinal sleeves  16  may comprise a bottom element extending at least partially across the sleeve opening, such that the sleeve  16  may be configured to retain a first product, such as a sample golf club shaft  29  and/or sample golf club grip  31  therein, without sliding through the sleeve  16 . In this aspect, the sleeve(s)  16  may comprise a generally conical or cylindrical member, formed, for example, with a piece of fabric that may be sewn into such configuration and sewn to the side panel(s)  14   a - d . In this aspect, for example, where the sleeve  16  is configured to display a relatively short elongated product, such as a sample golf club grip  31 , the sleeve may be sized to have a depth at least a third as long as the product length, and preferably up to half of the product length or even more, so as to preclude the product from tipping out of the sleeve  16 , while permitting at least a top portion of the product, for example golf club grip  31 , to be seen for display and removal. Selection of grips  31  comprises one of the aspects of a golf club fitting operation, and thus golf club manufacturers often display multiple grip variations for consumers to choose from. Such grip samples may comprise a grip  31  by itself, or may comprise a grip  31  mounted to a golf club shaft  29  or a short section thereof. 
     In another aspect, particularly when the display  10  comprises a golf club fitting system, the sleeves  16  may comprise a generally conical geometry, or may be otherwise sized to provide for a relatively tight friction fit when a golf club shaft  29  or sample grip  31  is placed therein. 
     In another aspect, illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the product display  10  may comprise at least one of the plurality of generally vertical longitudinal sleeves  16  being bottomless, such that one or more golf clubs  27  and/or one or more sample shafts  29  (i.e., without heads) or other elongated product may slide therethrough. In this aspect, the sleeve(s)  16  may be configured to retain a top portion of a product, such as a golf club shaft  29 , on the display  10 , and may be positioned generally vertically above a lower pocket  18 , which may be positioned proximate the lower portion of one or more of the side wall(s)  14   a - d , and may be configured to retain a bottom portion of the product, i.e., the distal end of a golf club shaft  29 , therein. In this aspect, where both the top portion of an elongated product, for example, a region of a golf club shaft  29  proximate to or including the grip  31 , and a bottom portion thereof, for example, the distal end of a golf club shaft  29 , are retained, for example by a sleeve  16  and a lower pocket  18 , the product may be more readily secured, removed, and displayed, for example, in a substantially vertical orientation. As illustrated, the lower pocket  18  may be divided into two or more sections by dividers  19 , which may be formed, for example, by stitching, riveting, etc. 
     According to another embodiment, a plurality of sleeves  16  may be attached to a common attachment panel (not shown) which is configured to be selectively placed on the side panels  14   a - d  in a desired location. In this respect, the side panels  14   a - d  and attachment panel may include cooperating fastener (e.g., Velcro™, snaps, buttons, etc.) for enabling selective attachment of the attachment panel and the sleeves  16  to the side panels  14   a - d . The selective attachment of the attachment panel to the side panels  14   a - d  may enable vertical and horizontal adjustment of the sleeves  16  relative to the side panels  14   a - d.    
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the product display  10  may comprise one or more securing devices  26 ,  28 , such as a grommet  26  and a grommet tab  28  that may permit attachment of the product display  10  to a surface on which the product display  10  rests. In this aspect, if the product display  10  is positioned outside, for example on a grassy surface at a golf demo day, the securing devices  26 ,  28  may be used with stakes or other devices (not shown) to secure the product display  10  to the ground and reduce the effects of wind and/or consumer traffic on the display  10 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the product display  10  may comprise a plurality of individually foldable and flexible side panels  14   a - d , one or more of which may be securable along a common edge  30  with a fastener  32 . The fastener  32  may comprise one or more of snaps, Velcro™ strips, zippers, buttons, ties, etc., which may enable the product display  10  to be broken down and folded or rolled for transport and/or storage. In the broken down configuration, the product display  10 , as well as the products retained therein, when rolled or folded, may be placed within a carrying bag (not shown) of appropriate size and shape for ease of portability. The product display  10  may, in a broken down configuration, assume essentially the same shape as a broken down carton or box, but with no bottom, i.e., a box lid. 
     Although  FIG. 1  illustrates only two fasteners  32  on each of the front corners of the product display  10 , in this example comprising zippers, it will be readily appreciated that more or fewer fasteners  32  may be employed. For example, in the case of a table having four corners that is covered by the product display  10 , all four corners of the product display  10  may comprise a zipper. Particularly, but not exclusively when the fastener(s)  32  comprise a zipper, it may be convenient for the zipper or other fastener  32  to run substantially the entire length of the common edge  30  such that the product display  10  may be more conveniently removed and/or more precisely fitted to a table over which the product display  10  may be positioned. As illustrated, the fastener  32  may be positioned a distance from the common edge  24 , or may be positioned substantially along the common edge  24 . In other aspects, particularly in the case of a product display  10  having only one side panel and a curvilinear top panel  12 , i.e., a circle, only one common edge  24  may exist joined by a single fastening system such as a single zipper. In another aspect, the common edge  24  may alternatively or additionally comprise the edge where the top panel  12  and side panel(s)  14   a - d  join. 
     In another aspect illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the product display  10  may comprise an upper pocket  34 , for example, in the side panel  14   a - d , which upper pocket  34  may be configured to retain promotional material, such as product brochures, therein. 
     It should be here noted that the product display  10  and associated fitting system may be used in a variety of ways to display a variety of products. For example, while a golf club fitting system comprising golf club components such as sample grips and/or sample shafts has been described, it will now be readily appreciated that complete golf clubs may also be displayed using the product display herein described, for example, by displaying the golf club head above the sleeve(s)  16  and running the shaft through the sleeve(s)  16  and/or resting the end of the grip in a lower pocket  18 . 
     As another example, a product display  10  according to the present disclosure may comprise a side panel  14   a - b  that may comprise a flexible wrap-around material with or without a top panel  12  configured to wrap around a table or other raised surface having a substantially planar top surface. In this aspect, the flexible wrap-around material may comprise one or more of the various elements, such as one or more sleeve(s)  16 , lower pocket(s)  18  and upper pocket(s)  34  as described herein, but may also include fasteners configured to fasten the wrap-around material to the table or other raised surface, such as snaps, clips, hooks, etc. 
     Although the foregoing describes the product display  10  as being configured for use with a golf club, it is understood that the product display  10  may be used with other products, including other sporting goods, as well as non-sporting good products. 
     This disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited by these exemplary embodiments. Numerous variations, whether explicitly provided for by the specification or implied by the specification, such as variations in structure, dimension, type of material and manufacturing process may be implemented by one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure.