Patent Publication Number: US-2002000417-A1

Title: Rotating sunglass merchandiser display unit

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] Merchandiser display units are well known in the art. These units, ubiquitous at retail locations, serve the function of displaying a wide array of merchandise to consumers. Such merchandiser display units have found particular utilization in displaying sunglasses and/or non-prescription reading glasses. Although such display units are generally known in the art, they have, as a general rule, suffered from several disadvantages.  
       [0002] To begin with, the display units usually carry numerous sunglasses or non-prescription eyeglasses, for purposes of displaying these items to the consumer for eventual consumer purchase. As the consumer removes a sunglass or non-prescription eyeglass from the display, and purchases it, the display unit is left with a vacancy where the sunglass or non-prescription eyeglass was located. As more and more sunglasses or non-prescription eyeglasses are sold, more and more vacant locations on the display unit are created. This lessens the overall appeal of the display to other consumers for the remaining sunglasses or non-prescription eyeglasses. To overcome this, the display requires frequent restocking of the display unit, frequently from stock kept at a remote location, with commensurate time and effort of sales personnel.  
       [0003] Yet another disadvantage of existing display units, especially those for displaying sunglasses or non-prescription eyeglasses, arises in the rather large “foot print” which these units require, especially in display units which are used to display a significant number of sunglasses or non-prescription eyeglasses.  
       [0004] Yet a further disadvantage of existing merchandiser display units, especially those for displaying sunglasses or non-prescription eyeglasses, arises from the fact that a “trade off” must be made between displaying the sunglasses or non-prescription eyeglasses, and promotional or other materials relating to this merchandise. On one hand, the more merchandise that is displayed, the less room there is for promotional, advertising or other material. On the other hand, the more advertising, promotional or other material included in the display unit, the less room there is for displaying the actual eyewear merchandise.  
       [0005] A still further disadvantage of existing merchandiser display units, especially those used for displaying sunglasses, is that sunglasses tend to be seasonal merchandise in many parts of the United States. During the summer months, demand for sunglasses is high; the demand is lower in winter months. Retailers tend to move merchandiser display units for sunglasses to storage in winter months, especially if the display units have a large sunglass display capacity. If the units are stored away, sales of the sunglasses suffer since no sunglasses are available on the unit for consumer purchase. Moreover, the merchandiser units are sometimes damaged in storage.  
       [0006] Yet another disadvantage of existing merchandiser display units, especially those used for displaying sunglasses or non-prescription eyeglasses, results from the fact that frequently the retailer requires two types of display units, namely, a display unit for counter display and a display unit for floor display. This results in increased manufacturing costs, because two different types of units must be manufactured, namely, a shorter unit for counter top display and a taller unit for floor display.  
       [0007] Accordingly, it is a broad object of the present invention to provide a merchandiser display unit, particularly one for displaying sunglasses or non-prescription eyeglasses, which overcomes one or more of the disadvantages mentioned above.  
       [0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a merchandiser display unit, particularly for displaying sunglasses or non-prescription eyeglasses, which enables a sales person to restock the display from stock located on the display unit so as to make it appear that the display unit has fewer display vacancies.  
       [0009] A still further object of the present invention is to provide a merchandiser display unit, particularly for displaying sunglasses or non-prescription eyeglasses, which has a relatively small footprint, but nonetheless accomplishes the goal of displaying a relatively large number of sunglasses or non-prescription eyewear in an efficient manner.  
       [0010] Yet a still further object of the present invention is to provide a merchandiser display unit, particularly for sunglasses or non-prescription eyeglasses, which allows the unit to have one or more areas for providing or displaying promotional material.  
       [0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a merchandiser display unit, particularly for displaying sunglasses, in which the unit&#39;s capacity to display sunglasses may be seasonably adjusted—with more sunglasses being displayed in summer months and, if desired, fewer sunglasses being displayed in winter months, while still providing a display unit which is visually appealing during the winter “off” season.  
       [0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a merchandiser display unit, for sunglasses or non-prescription eyeglasses, which is aesthetically pleasing, efficient in operation and display of the product, and which is relatively efficient to manufacture, in both counter and floor sizes.  
       [0013] These and other objects of the present invention are obtained in a merchandiser display unit for sunglasses and/or non-prescription eyewear having a first support member, a second support member and a plurality of vertical display panels disposed between the first support member and the second support member. At least one of the vertical display panels is rotatably movable between a first eyewear display position, in which the sunglasses or non-prescription eyewear are displayed, and a second non-eyewear display position which is assumed when all of the sunglasses have been removed from the vertical display panel. Each display panel includes a nose bridge support element and temple openings for supporting an eyeglass frame for display, when the rotatable support panel is in its first eyewear display position. The merchandise display unit includes locking means for releasably locking the rotatable vertical display panel in either its first eyewear display position or its second non-eyewear display position. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0014] Further understanding of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings, in which:  
     [0015]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a merchandiser display unit according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0016]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the merchandiser display unit of FIG. 1;  
     [0017]FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial sectional view of the merchandiser display unit, taken along the line  3 - 3  of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, and further showing the merchandiser display unit carrying a pair of sunglasses or non-prescription eyeglasses;  
     [0018]FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view, taken along the line  4 - 4  of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;  
     [0019]FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view, taken along the line  5 - 5  of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;  
     [0020]FIG. 6 is a sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 3, but showing one of the rotatable vertical display panels in its second, non-eyewear display position;  
     [0021]FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view, enlarged in scale, showing the interior of one of the rotatable vertical display panels of the present invention;  
     [0022]FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view, enlarged in scale, and taken along the line  8 - 8  of FIG. 7 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the details of the locking mechanism used to maintain one of the rotatable vertical display panels in position;  
     [0023]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing further details of the present invention, with one of the rotatable vertical display panels being in a midway position;  
     [0024]FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a display board which is removably insertable into a rotatable vertical display panel;  
     [0025]FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view, showing further details of the present invention, with one of the rotatable vertical display panels in its second non-eyewear display position and with the display board being removed so as to show further constructional details of the merchandiser unit;  
     [0026]FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of the merchandiser display unit of the present invention, in which one unit rests atop another so as to provide a merchandiser display unit particularly useful for floor displays; and  
     [0027]FIG. 13 is a sectional view, enlarged in scale, taken along the line  13 - 13  of FIG. 12, and showing how one display unit rests on another in the floor display embodiment of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0028] Referring now to the drawings, a merchandiser display unit, particularly useful in displaying sunglasses, non-prescription eyeglasses, or other eyewear according to the present invention is generally designated  10 . Display unit  10  advantageously sits on a base or pedestal  11  which, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, may be generally square in configuration, although the shape of base  11  is not particularly important. The base is configured so as to enable merchandiser display unit  10  to sit on a counter at a retail or other location.  
     [0029] Display unit  10  includes a plurality of vertical display panels, generally designated  12 , which are located between a top horizontal support panel  14  and a bottom horizontal support panel  16 . As will be explained in more detail hereinafter, at least one of the vertical display panels  12   a  (see FIG. 3) is constructed to rotate, relative to the top support panel and the bottom support panel, with rotatable vertical display panel  12   a  being rotatable between a first eyewear display position, in which eyeglasses or sunglasses  34  are presented to the consumer for potential purchase (see FIG. 3), and a second non-eyewear display position, approximately 180 degrees from the first display position, in which the rotatable display panel presents promotional or other material to the consumer, once all of the eyeglasses or sunglasses  34  have been removed (see FIG. 6) In its first eyewear display position, the promotional or other material is substantially hidden from consumer view (see FIG. 3).  
     [0030] Each of the vertical display panels  12  is configured to include a somewhat curved front wall  18  and generally parallel sidewalls  20  (see FIG. 1) which extend rearwardly from the front wall. Each of the vertical display panels also includes a plurality of nose bridge support members, generally designated  24 , which are disposed, one below the other, generally at the center of front wall  18  of the display panel (see FIG. 2).  
     [0031] Each nose bridge support member  24  is formed to support the nose bridge  36  of sunglasses or eyeglasses and, as such, each nose bridge support member includes a protruding, inverted and generally unshaped support  28  which protrudes outwardly from front wall  18  of the vertical display panel, as shown in FIG. 4 and in FIG. 9. Protruding support  28  is slanted downward toward front wall  18 , in order to better support nose bridge  36  of a pair of sunglasses or other eyewear placed on the nose bridge support member. The inverted u-shape of support  28  and its slanted nature also provide a clean visual presentation and a secure location for sunglasses or eyeglasses, while permitting easy product removal from the display unit by the consumer. Further, support  28  may be formed with a notch or cutout on its upper surface for receiving a tag that hangs from bridge  36  of sunglasses  34 .  
     [0032] To further facilitate this support and removal, protruding support  28  terminates, at one of its ends, in a nose bridge support opening  26  (see FIG. 4, FIG. 7 and FIG. 9) which is formed in front wall  18  of each of the vertical display panels. Opening  26  prevents damage to the bridge structure of the sunglasses or eyeglasses as these items are placed on the nose bridge support member, should the eyeglasses or sunglasses slip along the incline of protruding support  28 . As shown in FIG. 4 and in FIG. 9, the other end of protruding support  28  terminates in an upstanding lip  30 , which is provided so that the sunglasses or eyeglasses do not fall off the nose bridge support member.  
     [0033] Each vertical display panel  12  includes substantially identical edge walls  22  which extend outwardly from, and at the rear of, the respective sidewalls  20  of each vertical display panel and which terminate at end walls  22   a  (see FIG. 9). Each edge wall  22  includes a plurality of temple openings  32  which are adapted to receive the temples  38  of sunglasses or eyeglasses  34 , when the sunglass or eyeglass is placed on the vertical panels  12  of display unit  10 . As shown, for example, in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, two temple openings  32  are provided for each nose bridge support member  24 . As further shown, for example, in FIG. 7 (which shows a rear view of the vertical support panel), temple openings  32  define temple opening surfaces  32   a  which receive the corresponding right or left temple of the sunglass or eyeglass which is placed on the nose bridge support member  24 . Temple opening surfaces  32   a  of temple openings  32  may be disposed somewhat lower than the protruding support  28  of nose bridge support member  24 , thereby providing, along with nose bridge support member  24 , a structure which tends to enable the sunglasses or eyeglasses  34  to rest against front wall  18  of the vertical display panels, thereby providing a secure, albeit removable, support for the sunglasses or eyeglasses within merchandiser display unit  10 . This also positions the displayed sunglass or eyeglass at an upward angle for increased visibility.  
     [0034] Rotatable vertical display panel  12   a  is also configured to receive advertising or promotional material, in the form of a generally rectangular and planar board  42  (see FIG. 10), which is carried at the “rear” of the rotatable display panel. Specifically, the sidewalls  20  of the rotatable vertical display panels define tabs  40  which allow the display board  42  to slip in, and be held in place within, rotatable vertical display panel  12   a : As shown, for example, in FIG. 3, board  42  may advantageously be slightly wider than the distance between the tabs  40  of the edge wall, such that when the board  42  is inserted it remains slightly bow-shaped thereby insuring that the board is kept in position as display panel  12   a  is rotated, as will be explained hereinafter.  
     [0035] Board  42 , which may advantageously have artwork or graphics printed thereon, may also be formed to include temple openings  43 , thereby allowing temples  38  of the sunglasses or eyeglasses  34 , to pass not only through temple openings  32  in edge wall  22 , but also through the display board  42 , as shown in FIG. 3.  
     [0036] As shown, for example, in FIG. 7, FIG. 9 and FIG. 11, each of the vertical display panels  12  includes a top wall  44  and a bottom wall  46 . Top wall  44  and bottom wall  46  cooperate with top horizontal support panel  14  and bottom horizontal support panel  16 , respectively, to allow rotatable movement of rotatable vertical display panel  12   a  from the position generally shown in FIG. 3 to the position generally shown in FIG. 6. To this end, bottom wall  46  of the display panel includes a post opening  48 , which is sized to receive a post  50  that extends upwardly from bottom horizontal support panel  16 , as indicated in FIG. 9. Similarly, top wall  44  of the vertical display panel includes an opening (not shown) which enables a similar post  50   a , which extends downwardly from top horizontal support panel  14 , to provide a pivot or turning point near the top of the display panel, as illustrated in FIG. 11.  
     [0037] A post collar  51 , shown in FIG. 7, provides further support and facilitates the turning or pivoting action of rotatable vertical display panel  12   a  relative to bottom support panel  16 . A similar post collar (not shown), formed as part of top horizontal support panel  14 , similarly facilitates the rotational movement of rotatable display panel  12   a  relative to support panel  14 .  
     [0038] Merchandiser display unit  10  also includes a locking mechanism which releasably locks rotatable vertical display panel  12   a  in either its first eyewear display position, shown generally in FIG. 3, in which the display board is hidden from view and in its second non-eyewear position, wherein the display board  42  is viewable, as generally shown in FIG. 6.  
     [0039] Specifically, bottom wall  46  of vertical display panel  12   a  includes indents  52  defining stop surfaces  54 . Similar indents are also included (but not shown) in top wall  44  of the vertical display panel. These indents are adapted to receive flexible tabs  56 , formed on both top horizontal support panel  14  (see FIG. 11) and on bottom horizontal support panel  16  (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 9). Each flexible tab  56  defines one or more detent buttons  58 , thereby providing a detent button surface  57  or a detent button surface  59  which is adapted to make contact with stop surface  54  on rotatable vertical display panel  12   a . With display panel  12   a  in its first display position, flexible tabs  56  fit within indents  52 , with stop surface  54  of an indent abutting detent button surface  57  of a flexible tab. With rotatable vertical display panel  12   a  rotated 180 degrees, so that the display panel is now in its second non-eyewear display position, flexible tabs  56  also fit within indents  52 , but this time detent button surfaces  59  abut stop surfaces  54 . As will be explained hereinafter, as rotatable display panel  12   a  is rotated, flexible tabs  56  flex to clear respective stop surfaces  54 , thereby facilitating rotation of display panel  12   a  between its first eyewear display and its second non-eyewear display positions.  
     [0040] While one or more of the vertical display panels  12   a  are rotatable, it is often beneficial for the entire merchandiser display unit  10  to also rotate. To this end, display unit  10  is adapted to receive a central tube  60 , which is attached to base  11 . Central tube  60 , which passes through an opening defined by collars  62  in bottom horizontal support panel  16  and a corresponding collar (not shown) in top horizontal support panel  14 , allows the merchandiser display unit  10  to be supported by, and rotate around, central vertical tube  60 . Suitable thrust bearings and washers (not shown) may be included to permit easy rotation of the merchandiser display unit relative to central tube  60 .  
     [0041] In order add rigidity to merchandiser display unit  10 , the display unit includes a plurality of ribs which are formed, for example, in top horizontal support panel  14 , bottom horizontal support panel  16  and vertical display panels  12 . Thus, bottom horizontal support panel  16  includes, as shown for example in FIG. 3, radial ribs  64  which extend outwardly from collar  62 , circular rib  66  generally concentric to collar  62 , and radial ribs  67  which extend from circular rib  66 . Cross ribs,  68 , are also provided. Similar ribs (not shown) are formed in top horizontal support panel  14 . To add further strength, vertical display panels  12  are formed to include cross ribs  31 , each of which supports an upstanding flange  33 , which is formed to abut the rear of protruding support  28  of nose bridge support member  24 , thereby adding strength to the vertical display panel in the area of each nose bridge support member.  
     [0042] To further provide strength and structural integrity to merchandiser display unit  10 , the unit is desirably formed with one or more vertical display panels  12   b  which do not rotate, that is, these vertical display panels may be permanently and securely attached to top and bottom horizontal support panels,  14  and  16 , in a non-rotating manner. This may be accomplished by providing pins or screws (not shown) which pass through top horizontal support panel  14  and top wall  44  of each non-rotating vertical display panel  12   b . Similar pins or screws (not shown) may also be provided to fasten bottom wall  46  of non-rotating vertical display panel  12   b  to bottom horizontal support panel  16 , thereby also preventing the display panel from rotating relative to the bottom horizontal support panel.  
     [0043] Alternatively, or in addition to the screws and/or pins, other ways may be provided to prevent vertical display panel  12   b  from rotating. For example, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, bottom horizontal support panel  16  may include one or more locking barbs  72  which are carried by an upstanding wall  70 , with the barb  72  cooperating with bottom wall  46  of non-rotating vertical display panel  12   b , to also fixedly secure bottom horizontal support panel  16  to non-rotating display panel  12   b . Locking barb  72  advantageously engages non-rotating display panel  12   b  at indent  52  and stop surface  54  formed in the bottom wall  46  of the non-rotatable vertical display panel, thereby keeping panel  12   b  fixed in place. One or more corresponding locking barbs (not shown) may also be formed in top horizontal support panel  14  to engage the indents formed in top wall  44  of non-rotating display panel  12   b  to keep panel  12   b  fixed in place.  
     [0044] Each non-rotating vertical display panel  12   b , which is locked in place so as to display the eyeglasses or sunglasses, functions as a structural member of the entire merchandiser display unit  10 , thereby eliminating or lessening the need for additional vertical support components. Preferably, an even number of vertical display panels  12  are provided, with rotating vertical display panels  12   a  alternating with fixed or non-rotating vertical display panels  12   b.    
     [0045] The merchandiser display unit  10  may also be formed in a floor display version, with this embodiment being illustrated in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. In this embodiment, two substantially identical merchandiser display units  10   a  and  10   b , generally described previously, are provided with merchandiser display unit  10   a  resting on merchandiser display unit  10   b , and with central column  60  extending through both units. Each display unit  10   a  and  10   b  is formed with a locating and locking post  74  which fits within a corresponding locating and locking opening  76  formed in the other unit, thereby maintaining both units  10   a  and  10   b  together so that they can rotate as a single unit. Thus, as shown in FIG. 13, locating and locking post  74   a  of unit  10   a  fits into, and is held in place within, locating and locking opening  76   b  formed in display unit  10   b . Similarly, locating and locking post  74   b  fits within and cooperates with locating and locking opening  76   a  formed in display unit  10   a , as illustrated in FIG. 13. A base pedestal  78  may be provided should it be necessary to add further height to the floor display unit.  
     [0046] Since the floor unit essentially is formed of two or more identical counter units stacked one atop the other, manufacturing costs are reduced since multiple different molds are not required for the floor and counter units.  
     [0047] In operation, a plurality of sunglasses or other eyewear is placed on merchandiser display unit  10 ; the sunglasses or eyeglasses  34  are placed on nose bridge support members  24  such that nose bridge  36  of each sunglass or eyeglass rests on a corresponding protruding support  28  and such that the temples  38  of each eyeglass or sunglass pass through corresponding temple openings  32  within edge walls  22 .  
     [0048] It should be noted that edge walls  22  of adjacent vertical display panels are disposed close to each other, that is, a minimum gap is provided between end walls  22   a  of adjacent vertical display panels, thereby providing an aesthetically “clean” look without large gaps between adjacent vertical display panels which would otherwise reveal the inside of the unit.  
     [0049] Typically, a respective vertical display panel  12  is approximately 5¾ inches (the distance being measured from end wall  22   a  to end wall  22   a  of the vertical display panel), each edge wall  22  of a respective vertical display panel  12  is approximately ¾ inches wide (the distance being measured from end wall  22   a  to side wall  20 ) and the distance between side walls  20  is approximately 4¼ inches. This enables the corresponding temple openings  32  to be separated by approximately 5 inches (when measured between the centers of each opening  32 ). On the other hand, the gap between end walls  22   a  of adjacent vertical display panels  12  is no more than approximately ¼ inch, and preferably between about {fraction (1/16)} inch and {fraction (1/32)} inch. Thus, the width of display panel  12  is over twenty times greater than the gap between adjacent vertical display panels. This provides an aesthetically pleasing look and a minimum gap between adjacent panels.  
     [0050] Temples  38  of sunglasses or eyeglasses  34  also pass through temple openings  43  in each of the display or promotional boards  42 , with each board located only on rotating display panels  12   a , it being noted that display boards  42  are viewed only when rotatable display panel  12   a  is in the non-eyewear display position (see FIG. 6). There is no need for a board  42  to be inserted into a non-rotating vertical display panels  12   b , since these panels are always in their eyewear-display position; these non-rotating display panels  12   b  do not move and do not include a display board  42  which would not be seen by a consumer.  
     [0051] As customers purchase the sunglasses or eyeglasses  34 , various vacancies are created along vertical display panels  12 . In due course, the sales person advantageously removes the remaining sunglasses or eyeglasses from one of the rotatable vertical display panels  12   a , placing them in the once-vacant locations on other panels. Rotatable vertical display panel  12   a , now empty; is then rotated 180 degrees, with the flexible tabs  56  allowing movement of display panel  12   a  relative to top and bottom horizontal support panels  16  and  18  by flexing (see FIG. 8) to allow detent buttons  58  to “clear” the rotating display panel. (Rotatable vertical display panel  12   a  should be rotated only after all the sunglasses or eyeglasses have been removed—otherwise the sunglasses or eyeglasses will hit an adjacent display panel  12 , resulting in possible damage to the merchandise.) After approximately 180 degrees of movement, rotatable vertical display panel  12   a  is moved from its sunglass or eyeglass display position (see FIG. 3) to the second non-eyeglass display position, where promotional board  42  is now visible (see FIG. 6). In this second position, flexible tabs  56  engage indents  52 , such that stop surfaces  54  of the indents engage or abut the respective surfaces  59  of the flexible tabs, to releasably lock vertical display panel  12   a  in place in this non-eyeglass display position.  
     [0052] In both display positions, flexible tabs  56  are disposed within indents  52  and abut stop surfaces  54 . In the first eyeglass display position, however, surfaces  57  of detent buttons  58  abut stop surfaces  54 ; while in the second non-eyeglass display position, surfaces  59  of detent buttons  58  abut the stop surfaces.  
     [0053] By treating rotatable vertical display panel  12   a  as a source of sunglasses or eyewear to be used to fill vacant locations on fixed vertical display panel  12   b ,-the rotatable display panel is “emptied” of sunglasses or eyeglasses and, once emptied, display panel  12   a  is then rotated so as to assume its second non-eyewear display position in which board  42 , carrying artwork, graphics or items ancillary to the sale of the eyewear, may be viewed by the consumer.  
     [0054] Rather than providing vacant locations which would otherwise detract from appeal to the consumer, rotating vertical display panel  12   a  provides enhanced consumer appeal for display unit  10  by allowing graphics, promotional material or even other non-eyewear items to be displayed when the sunglasses or eyeglasses have been removed, i.e., when display panel  12   a  is in its second non-eyewear display position (FIG. 6). Moreover, since display board  42  is hidden from view when rotatable vertical display panel  12   a  is in its first eyewear display position (FIG. 3), display board  42  does not detract from sale of the sunglasses or eyeglasses, when rotatable display panel  12   a  is carrying or displaying the sunglasses or eyeglasses carried by this panel.  
     [0055] Eventually, rotatable vertical display panel  12   a  is moved back to its eyeglass display position (with tabs  56  allowing such rotational movement, by flexing so that detent buttons  58  clear stop surfaces  54 ), and additional sunglasses or eyeglasses may be placed on display panel  12   a  from stock kept at a remote location or from other rotatable display panels.  
     [0056] It will thus be apparent that the objects set forth above among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.  
     [0057] Thus, while the invention has been described as including both rotating and non-rotating vertical display panels  12   a  and  12   b , respectively, it is to be understood that only one panel need be rotatable; alternatively, all of the display panels may be rotatable. Similarly, while display board  42  has been described as including advertising or promotional material, such as graphics or artwork, it will be appreciated that the board may carry other products or items, such as a pocket for brochures, which may be mounted on board  42 . Board  42  may also carry, alone or in combination with the graphics, one or more hooks for holding non-eyewear merchandise. This is particularly useful when the display unit is used in times when purchase of sunglasses is at a lower demand than peak seasons, since rotating display panels  12   a  may be kept in their second non-eyewear display positions so as to display other merchandise, and keep the overall quantity of sunglasses on display unit  10  at a smaller number than when demand for sunglasses is higher. This allows display unit  10  to have a sunglass display capacity which is seasonably adjusted.  
     [0058] Still further, while flexible tabs  56  which cooperate with detents  52  have been described as releasably locking rotatable vertical display panel  12   a  in the first eyewear display position and the second non-eyewear display position, it should be recognized that other releasable locking mechanisms may be provided for releasably locking vertical display panel  12   a  in either of its two display positions.  
     [0059] Finally, although the invention has been described as having particular usefulness in the display of sunglasses, eyeglasses, or other like products, it will be appreciated that the display unit may be usable for displaying non-eyeglass or eyewear merchandise, if so desired.  
     [0060] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.