Patent Publication Number: US-6658776-B1

Title: Modular bulkhead display system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     A modular bulkhead display system for use in a retail environment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In retail environments which utilize display cases, such as delicatessens, a bulkhead is often disposed above the display case. The bulkhead often displays one or more advertising messages; and it furnishes a pleasing appearance to the display area. 
     Most prior art bulkhead assemblies are permanent structures, often made of drywall and studding; and their appearances cannot readily be changed; and they are time consuming and costly to produce. As a display area within a store changes, or as the items being displayed change, it is difficult to modify the prior art bulkhead assemblies to accommodate changing realities. 
     The prior art bulkhead assemblies are not capable of displaying advertising on both of their sides and, thus, cannot readily be used in the middle of a store. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a modular bulkhead display system which is relatively lightweight, can readily be configured to a variety of retail situations, and can easily be moved from one retail location to another. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with this invention, there is provided a modular bulkhead display system comprised of a first end panel, a first intermediate panel, a second intermediate panel, means for locking said first end panel to said first intermediate panel, means for locking said second end panel to said second intermediate panel, means for supporting and hanging said first end panel, means for supporting and locking said first intermediate panel, means for supporting and hanging said second intermediate panel, and means for supporting and hanging said second end panel. Each of the panels contains a removable decor panel. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description thereof, when read in conjunction with the attached drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the modular bulkhead display system of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the bulkhead display system of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the modular bulkhead display system of the invention illustrating the preferred means for supporting and hanging the panels of the bulkhead display system; and 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the modular bulkhead display system of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of one preferred embodiment of applicant&#39;s modular bulkhead display system  10  disposed in a store and mounted above a display case  14 . 
     The modular display system  10  is comprised of a first decor board  20  disposed on the front of the assembly  10 , and a second decor board  22  disposed at the back of the assembly  10 . Each of decor boards  20  and  22  may be removed from assembly  10  and replaced with other decor boards. Thus, when assembly  10  is utilized in the middle of a store, it can display graphic indicia (like indicia  24 ) in two directions simultaneously. In the application depicted in FIG. 1, however, there is no need for decor board  22  (inasmuch as it is not visible to the public); and such decor board  22  may be omitted. 
     Referring again to FIG. 1, and in the preferred embodiment depicted therein, it will be seen that modular bulkhead assembly is comprised of a first end panel  26  removably connected to a first intermediate panel  28  by means of snap locks  30  and  32 ; the point at which these two panels are contiguous is indicated by dotted line  27 . As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, by varying the sizes of the end panels  26  and the intermediate panels  28 , as well as their a, displays on decor boards  20  and/or  22 , one can construct a huge variety of displays of different sizes. 
     The panels  26  and  28  may be constructed in wide variety of sizes. In one embodiment, these panels have lengths ranging from about 3 to about 6 feet and, preferably, from about 4 to about 6 feet. The panels generally will have a height of from about 2 to about 8 feet. 
     The panels  26  and  28  are comprised of extruded metal, such as extruded aluminum. Consequently, they are relatively lightweight, ranging from about 5 to about 15 pounds per panel. 
     Most of the systems  10  will utilize a left end panel  24 , a right end panel  26 , and at least two intermediate panels  28 ,  29 . It is preferred to utilize from about 2 to about 20 such intermediate panels  28 ,  29 , each removably connected to each other by means of snap locks  30  and  32 . 
     In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, each of the decor boards  22  and  22  are disposed within an exterior channel formed in the panels (not shown in FIG.  1 ). Each of the panels preferably contains a hook  34  for securing the panel to a ceiling, and the hook is part of a hook/support assembly (not shown in FIG. 1) which is disposed within a central channel  36  formed in the panels. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the panel  26  of FIG.  1 . Referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that panel  26  is comprised of a first external channel  38  (in which decor board  20  is disposed), a second external channel  40  (in which decor board  22  is disposed), and an intermediate channel  36 . The same channel appears at both end  42  and end  44  of the uncapped channel  36 . What makes panel  26  an end panel is that the channels  36 ,  38 , and  40  are capped at the end  44  by mitered cap assembly  46 / 48 / 50 . Without such structure the panel  26  illustrated in FIG. 2 would be an intermediate channel capable of receiving connector spline  52  at both of its ends  42  and  44 . 
     In order to connect the uncapped panel  26  to the mitered caps  46 ,  48 , and  50 , a pair of corner brackets  54  is inserted into slots  56  and  58  and into corresponding slots appearing at end  44 . These corresponding slots are similar in structure to the slots  60  and  62  appearing at end  42 . 
     When two or more intermediate panels are to be joined, they are joined by means of both lock  30  and connector spline  52 . One portion of lock  30 , snap lock  31 , is connected to one of the panels, the other portion of lock  30 , clasp  33 , is connected to the other of the panels, and the interaction of these two parts removably locks the two panels together. As is illustrated in FIG. 1, it is preferred to use both a top locking assembly  30  and a bottom locking assembly  32  to removably connected two adjacent panels. 
     Referring again to FIG. 2, the connector spline  52  slides into adjacent slots  64  and, when so engaged, helps support adjacent panels. The connector spline  52  is so configured that it is retained by friction within slot  64 . 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the assembly  10  of FIG.  1 . As will be seen more clearly in FIG. 3, the first external channel  38  is adapted to receive decor board  20  (not shown), the second external channel  40  is adapted to receive decor board  22  (not shown), and the support/hanging assembly  35  is disposed within intermediate (center) channel  36 . 
     The hook assembly  35  is comprised of hook  34  connected to support  66 . A threaded coupling  68  receives and engages with both hook assembly  34  and threaded rod  35 . Threaded rod  35  is captured by nut  70  at end  72  of the panel. As will be apparent, as the threaded rod  35  is turned clockwise or counterclockwise, the amount of force (and support) provided to the surfaces  74  and  76  of the panel can be varied. 
     As will be seen by reference to FIG. 2, slots  56  and  58  are adapted to receive corner brackets  54 , which can be used to attach mitered caps  46 ,  48 , and  50  to the panel to convert an intermediate panel into an end panel. In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, mitered caps  46 ,  48  and  50  comprise one integral assembly. 
     A cover cap  78  may be friction fit into center channel  36  to conceal the support assembly  34 / 35 / 70 . Cover cap  78  may be made from plastic such as, e.g., flexible polyvinyl chloride. In the embodiment depicted, it contains two nubs adapted to engage with nibs  84  and  86 . 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 3, in which the connector splines  52  are shown in sectional view. The connector splines  52  are preferably securely friction fit within slot  51  and provide additional support and engagement between adjacent panels. 
     An panel thickness adaptor  88  may be connected at point  90  and/or point  92  to adjust for the use of panels  20  and/or  22  which are not substantially the same thickness as the external channels  38  and  40 . The panel thickness adaptor  88  may be used by friction fitting it into place at points  90  and/or  92  using either slot  94 ,  96 , and/or  98 . As will be apparent, depending upon which such slot is used, the extent to which the adaptor  88  compensates for a thin decor panel  20  or  22  can be varied. 
     It is to be understood that the aforementioned description is illustrative only and that changes can be made in the apparatus, in the ingredients and their proportions, and in the sequence of combinations and process steps, as well as in other aspects of the invention discussed herein, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.