Patent Publication Number: US-8985351-B1

Title: Display device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/144,660 entitled, “FIN TREE DISPLAY DEVICE” filed Jan. 14, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to display devices and more particularly to display devices useful for displaying products for consumer inspection. 
     2. Related Art 
     When purchasing products, it is often advantageous for consumers to view products “in-person” which can aid consumers in making purchasing decisions. Such in-person inspections may allow consumers to evaluate products more accurately than would otherwise be available through inspection of a brochure or website. As a result, various types of display systems have been developed to present products to consumers. 
     In one example, products may be placed on shelves or other types of displays in a manner that provides consumers relatively unlimited control to pick up and/or otherwise interact with the product. However, in such an approach, the retailer or other displaying party retains little control over the products. As a result, products may be susceptible to theft, especially in the case of small consumer products such as surfboard fins. 
     In another example, products may be displayed in a secure fashion behind glass or another appropriate barrier to prevent theft. Unfortunately, this approach provides very little or no consumer interaction with the products, which can prevent consumers from sufficiently inspecting the products to the extent desired by the consumers. 
     Accordingly, there is needed an improved approach to the display of goods. In particular, there is a need for an approach to the display of surfboard fins in a manner that provides satisfactory levels of product security and consumer interaction. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a display device is provided for publicly displaying surf products such as surfboard fins. The display device also includes a means for compactly clustering or grouping the fins in an generally horizontal, elevated, and mobile manner with the fins being individually or singularly secured and/or adapted in a suspended secure manner. 
     In another embodiment, the fins are suspended under a movable circular horizontal wheel secured to a vertical element such as a wall or alternatively the wheel may be mounted to a freestanding tube or pole and provide a consumer access to and the inspection of the individual or grouping of the fin or fins. In this display manner, the consumer may fully have access to inspect the fins but limit the complete removal of the fins from the display device. Additionally, the display device may provide areas adjacent to the fins for corresponding sales support materials that may be printed in single or multiple planes (e.g., three dimensionally displayed). 
     In another embodiment, a display device includes a trunk. The display device also includes a support member comprising an aperture adapted to receive the trunk therethrough. The display device also includes a security member adapted to secure an item to the support member for display and manipulation by a consumer without permitting complete removal of the item from the display device by the consumer. The display device also includes a collar adapted to secure the support member to the trunk. The collar is adapted to contact at least a bottom surface of the support member to hold the support member at least at a display position relative to a bottom end of the trunk. The collar comprises an aperture adapted to receive the trunk therethrough. 
     In another embodiment, a display device includes a trunk. The display device also includes a support member adapted to secure an item for display and manipulation by a consumer without permitting complete removal of the item from the display device by the consumer. The support member comprises an aperture adapted to receive the trunk therethrough. The support member comprises a slit extending from an outer surface of the support member to the aperture of the support member. The slit defines substantially opposite surfaces of the support member. The support member is adapted to receive a screw across the slit to pull the opposite sides together to exert pressure on the trunk to hold the support member at a display position relative to a bottom end of the trunk. 
     The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, which are incorporated into this section by reference. A more complete understanding of embodiments of the present invention will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of one or more embodiments. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings that will first be described briefly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a display device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2-3  illustrate a support platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4-5  illustrate a fin secured to a support platform by a cam lock in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a collar in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a support member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a security tether configured to be secured by a security screw in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 9-10  illustrate a receptacle configured to be secured by a security screw in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a display device attached to a wall in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 12A-D ,  13 A-D,  14 A-D, and  15 A-D illustrate various support members in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In accordance with various embodiments disclosed herein, a display device is provided which may be used to display products and related product literature. For example, in one embodiment, a display device (also referred to as a fin tree) includes a plurality of tubes and machined parts which may be assembled and configured as further disclosed herein to display surfboard fins and related product information. Such a display device may be used, for example, to hold and secure the fins to facilitate display of thefts and permit the handling of the fins by consumers. Advantageously, the display device may also be implemented to prevent the fins from being completely detached from the display device without the permission of a retailer. The display device may also be implemented to hold and secure information (e.g., product literature) associated with the fins. Additional embodiments are also provided as will be further described herein. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a display device  100  (e.g., implemented in this embodiment as a display stand) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Display device  100  may be used, for example, to display products (e.g., surfing-related products or other products) in a manner to permit consumers to handle and touch the products while still securing the products to prevent removal of the products from display device  100  by consumers. In one embodiment, display device  100  may be used to display a large number of fins, surf hardware, and product information (e.g., also referred to as sales support materials) in a relatively small retail space. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , display device  100  includes a base  102 , a trunk  104  (e.g., also referred to as a freestanding tube or pole), a plurality of support members such as support platforms  106  (e.g., also referred to as movable circular horizontal wheels), and a sign  112 . Base  102  may be implemented, for example, as a circular support as shown in  FIG. 1 . However, other shapes are also contemplated. 
     Trunk  104  is secured to base  102  and extends upward from base  102  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In various embodiments, trunk  104  may be implemented as a tube or a plurality of tubes (e.g., having substantially circular, square, or other cross-sections) or a plate. In other embodiments, trunk  104  may be secured to a wall, an existing surfboard rack, vertical element, or other appropriate mounting location. In such embodiments, display rack  100  may be implemented without base  102  (for example, see  FIG. 11  further described herein). 
     Display device  100  also includes support platforms  106  which may receive one or more fins  150  or other products to be held by display device  100 . Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3  and  6 , support platforms  106  are secured to trunk  104  by collars  108  which may be implemented, for example, as substantially circular collars configured with slits  120  (e.g., cuts in collars  108 ) such that the collars  108  do not form a complete circle. Screws  122  may be placed across slits  120  and tightened to cause the collars  108  to exert pressure on trunk  104 . Upper and lower collars  108  may be placed above and below each support platform  106  to secure support platforms  106  to trunk  104 . In this regard, each support platform  106  may be supported by a corresponding lower collar  108  (e.g., collar  108 ( 1 ) in  FIG. 2 ), and may be prevented from being moved upward by a corresponding upper collar  108  (e.g., collar  108 ( 2 ) in  FIG. 2 ). 
     In another embodiment, bearings may be provided between support platforms  106  and trunk  104  to permit support platforms  106  to rotate around trunk  104  (e.g., through a  360  degree rotation). 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , support platforms  106  are implemented as circular disks. However, other shapes may be used in different embodiments. 
     Support platforms  106  may be spaced along trunk  104  by appropriate distances to permit different sized products to be displayed. 
     Support platforms  106  include various apertures  110  (e.g., holes, slots, spaces, or other type of apertures) which may be used to hold products to be displayed and/or to provide locations for security features of display device  100 . 
     For example, in one embodiment, apertures  100  may be configured to receive a security tether  114  (e.g., a wire, cable, rope with a loop on both ends, a tether or other appropriate security device) which threads through one or more of apertures  110  and also through an appropriate aperture  152  in a fin  150  or other product to be displayed by display device  100  (e.g., through one or more of apertures  152  in the base of fin  150  as shown in FIG.  1 ). In this embodiment, the ends of security tether  114  may be secured together, for example, using an appropriate standard security clip or fastener. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-5 , in another embodiment, one end of security tether  114  may thread through one of apertures  152  in the base of fin  150  and over a crimp on the other end of security tether  114 . The ends of security tether  114  may be secured together. The crimped end of security tether  114  may be attached to an appropriate one of support platforms  106  by securing the crimped end in a twist cam lock  116  attached to support platform  106  and locked by an appropriate security screw  118 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , in another embodiment, fin  150  may be secured to display device  110  by a through hole in the base of fin  150 . For example, trunk  104  may be inserted in an aperture  126  of a support member  124 . In one embodiment, support member  124  may be engaged with trunk  104  in a similar manner as discussed herein with regard to collars  108 . In another embodiment, support member  124  may be supported by one or more collars  108  in a similar manner as discussed herein with regard to support platform  106 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , multiple fins  150  may be engaged with support member  124  to display fins  150  around a circumference of trunk  104  (e.g., when trunk  104  is inserted into aperture  126  of support member  124 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , in another embodiment, fin  150  may be secured to display device  100  by security tether  114  which may be secured to support platform  106  by a security screw  130 . In this embodiment, support platform  106  includes one or more threaded apertures  128  configured to receive security screw  130 . In another embodiment, security screw  130  may pass through one or more apertures  152  in the base of fin  150  to secure fin  150  directly to support platform  106 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9-10 , in another embodiment, fin  150  may be secured to support platform  106  by a molded or machined receptacle  132  that is secured to support platform  106  by security tether  114  and cam lock  116 . Receptacle  132  is configured to receive a base of fin  150  which slides into receptacle  132  and is secured to receptacle  132  by an appropriate security screw  134  which also passes through an aperture  136  in the base of fin  150 . 
     In another embodiment, display device  100  may be used to hold product literature, signs, catalogs, point of purchase displays, or other information pertaining to displayed products. For example, such information may be attached to display device  100  by collars  108 . In this regard, one or more of collars  108  may include apertures configured to receive heavy gauge wire, thin metal, or other appropriate material that extends out from trunk  104  in the form of a loop (e.g., a continuous loop in the shape of half circle having a diameter smaller than that of support platforms  106 ) or other configuration. The edge of the loop may include a slot to hold an edge of a printed card to be positioned in proximity to fin  150 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , in another embodiment, a display device  200  is shown mounted to a wall  210  by a wall support member  105  connected to trunk  104 . The various aspects of display device  100  as described herein may be implemented in display device  200  where appropriate. 
     Other types of support members are also contemplated. For example,  FIGS. 12A-D ,  13 A-D,  14 A-D, and  15 A-D illustrate various support members in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In various embodiments, the support members of  FIGS. 12A-D ,  13 A-D,  14 A-D, and  15 A-D may be engaged with trunk  104  in a similar manner as discussed herein with regard to collars  108 , or may be supported by one or more collars  108  in a similar manner as discussed herein with regard to support platform  106 . 
       FIGS. 12A-D  illustrate a support member  1200  including a hub  1202 , an aperture  1203  which may receive trunk  104  therethrough, and a plurality of branches  1204  which may support one or more fins  150 . Branches  1204  include recesses  1206  and apertures  1208 . Recesses  1206  define recessed surfaces  1207  which are substantially perpendicular to trunk  104  when support member  1200  is mounted on trunk  104  (e.g., while trunk  104  is inserted through aperture  1203 ). Each recess  1206  may receive a base  154  of a corresponding fin  150  which is secured to support member  1200  by a security screw  1210  inserted through base  154  and screwed into a corresponding aperture  1208 . As a result, one or more fins  150  may be displayed in a substantially vertical orientation as shown in  FIGS. 12A-D   
       FIGS. 13A-D  illustrate a support member  1300  including a hub  1302 , an aperture  1303  which may receive trunk  104  therethrough, and a plurality of branches  1304  which may support one or more fins  150 . Branches  1304  include recesses  1306  and apertures  1308 . Recesses  1306  define recessed surfaces  1307  which are inclined relative to trunk  104  when support member  1300  is mounted on trunk  104  (e.g., while trunk  104  is inserted through aperture  1303 ). Each recess  1306  may receive a base  154  of a corresponding fin  150  which is secured to support member  1300  by a security screw  1310  inserted through base  154  and screwed into a corresponding aperture  1308 . As a result, one or more fins  150  may be displayed in a substantially inclined orientation as shown in  FIGS. 13A-D . 
       FIGS. 14A-D  illustrate a support member  1400  including a hub  1402 , an aperture  1403  which may receive trunk  104  therethrough, and a plurality of branches  1404  which may support one or more fins  150 . Branches  1404  include recesses  1406  and apertures  1408 . Recesses  1406  define recessed surfaces  1407  which are substantially perpendicular to trunk  104  when support member  1400  is mounted on trunk  104  (e.g., while trunk  104  is inserted through aperture  1403 ). Each recess  1406  may receive a base  154  of a corresponding fin  150 . 
     Branches  1404  also include clamp members  1405 , apertures  1408 , and apertures  1411 . Apertures  1411  may receive a pin  156  of fin  150 . Fin  150  is secured to support member  1400  by a security screw  1410  inserted through base  154  and screwed into apertures  1408  on substantially opposite sides of recess  1406 . As security screw  1410  is tightened, the corresponding clamp member  1405  is urged against, and applies pressure to, base  154  of the corresponding fin  150  such that base  154  is held in place. As a result, one or more fins  150  may be displayed in a substantially horizontal orientation as shown in  FIGS. 14A-D . 
       FIGS. 15A-D  illustrate a support member  1500  including a hub  1502 , an aperture  1503  which may receive trunk  104  therethrough, and a plurality of branches  1504  which may support one or more fins  150 . Branches  1504  include recesses  1506  and apertures  1508 . Recesses  1506  define recessed surfaces  1507  which are substantially perpendicular to trunk  104  when support member  1500  is mounted on trunk  104  (e.g., while trunk  104  is inserted through aperture  1503 ). Each recess  1506  may receive a base  154  of a corresponding fin  150 . 
     Branches  1504  also include clamp members  1505 , apertures  1508 , and apertures  1511 . Apertures  1511  may receive a pin  156  of fin  150 . A security screw  1510  is inserted through aperture  1508  and screwed into an aperture (e.g., a blind hole) of branch  1504  to hold clamp member  1505  in a fixed position relative to an opposite side of branch  1504 . While clamp member  1505  is held in the fixed position, pin  156  of fin  150  remains engaged with apertures  1511  and secured to support member  1500 . Because clamp member  1505  does not apply pressure directly against base  154  of fin  150  in this embodiment, fin  150  remains free to rotate about pin  156  while fin  150  still remains secured to support member  1500 . 
     Embodiments described above illustrate but do not limit the invention. It should also be understood that numerous modifications and variations are possible in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined only by the following claims.