Patent Publication Number: US-8991781-B2

Title: Product display fixture

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Display fixtures in a retail store organize and present products or merchandise to customers for purchase. Dinnerware is one exemplary type of product presented in retail stores for purchase. Dinnerware, such as a plate, comes in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes. For example, plates can be round, oval, square, rectangular and the like. In addition, dinnerware is susceptible to inadvertent breakage upon being handled. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a display fixture for dinnerware that mitigates potential damage, while also providing easy viewing. 
     The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     SUMMARY 
     A display fixture includes a fixed component including a product receiving portion and an elongated spine portion, a first adjustable component insertably engaged with the elongated spine portion and including a product receiving portion and an adjustment portion, a second adjustable component insertably engaged with the elongated spine portion and including a product receiving portion and an adjustment portion, a third adjustable component insertably engaged with the elongated spine portion and including a product receiving portion and an adjustment portion. The adjustment portion of the first adjustable component operates to slidably adjust a distance between the product receiving portion of the fixed component and the product receiving portion of the first adjustable component, while the adjustment portion of the second adjustable component and the adjustment portion of the third adjustable component operate to slidably adjust a distance between the product receiving portion of the second adjustable component and the product receiving portion of the third adjustable component. 
     The elongated spine portion includes a first channel and a second channel with the first channel substantially perpendicular to the second channel. The adjustment portion of the first adjustable arm is received by the first channel and a distal end of the first adjustment arm includes the product receiving portion. The adjustment portions of the second adjustable arm and the third adjustable arm each include a tooth for slidably engaging with each other and are received by the second channel. Distal ends of the second adjustable arm and the third adjustable arm include the product receiving portions. 
     To adjust the display fixture to accommodate different sized products a method includes loosening a fastener that couples the first adjustable component, the second adjustable component and the third adjustable component to the fixed component. The first adjustment portion of the first adjustable component is slid relative to the elongated spine portion to adjust the first distance between the product receiving portion of the fixed component and the product receiving portion of the first adjustment portion. The adjustment portion of the second adjustable component is slid relative to the adjustment portion of the third adjustable component and the adjustment portion of the third adjustable component is slid relative to the adjustment portion of the second adjustable component to adjust a second distance between the product receiving portion of the first adjustable component and the product receiving portion of the second adjustable component. The fastener is tightened to couple the first adjustable component, the second adjustable component and the third adjustable component to the fixed component. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates two product display fixtures located side-by-side and retaining different shaped pieces of product according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one of the product display fixtures of  FIG. 1  with the piece of dinnerware removed. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the product display fixture illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a back view of a backer of the product display fixture illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of a base of the product display fixture illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of a first substantially horizontal arm of the product display fixture illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a bottom view of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a right side view of  FIG. 8   
         FIG. 11  illustrates a front view of a second substantially horizontal arm of the product display fixture illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a top view of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a left side view of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a front view of a substantially vertical arm of the product display fixture illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a side view of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a bottom view of  FIG. 14 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments described herein include a display fixture for mounting to a crossbar of a display unit, such as a gondola display unit, located in a retail store. The display fixture includes a fixed base for receiving a bottom edge of a piece of dinnerware, a pair of adjustable substantially horizontal arms interconnected with the base for retaining sides of a piece of dinnerware and an adjustable substantially vertical arm for retaining a top edge of the piece of dinnerware. The adjustable substantially horizontal arms and adjustable substantially vertical arm provide the display fixture with the ability to retain a variety of different shapes and sizes of dinnerware in a substantially vertical orientation. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates two product display fixtures  100  and  200  located side-by-side and retaining two different shaped pieces of dinnerware according to one embodiment. Each product display fixture  100  and  200  is mounted to a crossbar  300  for mounting to a display unit. More particularly, each product display fixture  100  and  200  is configured to retain a dish  10  and  12 , such as a dinner plate, salad plate, dessert plate, soup bowl, a serving bowl, a serving plate or the like, in a substantially vertical orientation. In this position, not only are customers and purchasers able to easily view dinnerware for style, size, pattern, color, thickness, quality, shape, and the like, but customers and purchasers are also able to evaluate a hands-on look and feel of the dinnerware while decreasing the risk of breakage. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , each product display fixture  100  and  200  is mounted to a crossbar  300 , which can be mounted to uprights of a display unit. Although  FIG. 1  illustrates only two product display fixtures  100  and  200  mounted to crossbar  300 , it should be realized that one or more product display fixtures  100  and  200  can be mounted to crossbar  300 . In addition, any number of crossbars  300  can be mounted to a display unit to expand the number of product display fixtures  100  and  200  that can be mounted for display on a single display unit. Still further, product display fixtures  100  and  200  can mount to a display unit in other ways. For example, product display fixtures  100  and  200  can hang from a back panel of a display unit using peg hooks and the like. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of one of the product display fixtures  100  of  FIG. 1  with dish  10  removed for clarity and  FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of  FIG. 2 . As illustrated, product display fixture  100  includes a backer  106 , a base  108 , a pair of substantially horizontal arms  110  and  111  and a substantially vertical arm  112 . Substantially vertical arm  112  and the pair of substantially horizontal arms  110  and  111  can also be described as a first adjustable component  112 , a second adjustable component  110  and a third adjustable component  111 . Backer  106 , base  108 , substantially horizontal arms  110  and  111  and substantially vertical arm  112  interconnect or are assembled together to form product display fixture  100  that can accommodate a variety of sizes and shapes of dinnerware. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a back view of one embodiment of backer  106 . Backer is adapted to or configured to support base  108 , the pair of substantially horizontal arms  110  and  111  and substantially vertical arm  112  away from a back panel of a display unit, such as a gondola display unit. Backer  106  is made of a sheet material and includes screen printed back and front surfaces  114  and  116  ( FIG. 3 ). For example, back and front surfaces  114  and  116  can include a wood grain screen printing. Backer  106  includes main member  118  and a spacer member  120  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Main member  118  includes a pair of upper through slots  122 , a pair of lower through slots  124 , a pair of upper holes  126 , a pair of lower holes  128  and a centrally located hole  123 . Slots  122  and  124  and holes  123 ,  126  and  128  extend entirely through main member  118 . Upper holes  126  are located between upper through slots  122  and lower holes  128  are located between lower through slots  124 . Upper and lower through slots  122  and  124  receive portions of base  108 . Upper and lower holes  126  and  128  receive fasteners  127  and  129  ( FIG. 3 ) for fastening base  108  to backer  106 . Centrally located hole  123  is configured to receive a multi-functional fastener  125  ( FIG. 3 ) that among other functions fastens base  108  to backer  106 . Multi-functional fastener  125  will be discussed in more detail below. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a front view,  FIG. 6  illustrates a side view and  FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of one embodiment of base  108 . Base  108  is a fixed component that is fixed to backer  106  via fasteners  127  and  129  and includes a product receiving portion  130  for receiving an edge of a product, a mounting portion  148  for mounting to backer  106  and a display unit and an elongated spine or channel portion  168  for receiving and supporting the pair of substantially horizontal arms  110  and  111  and substantially vertical arm  112 . 
     As described, product receiving portion  130  supports an edge of a product, such as a bottom edge of a piece of dinnerware, and includes a back wall  131 , a front wall  132  and a pair of first and second side walls  134  and  136 . In one embodiment, back wall  131 , front wall  132 , first side wall  134  and second side wall  136  are each substantially planar. Front wall  132  includes a bottom edge  144 , an upper edge  143  and extends at a substantially perpendicular orientation from and to a bottom edge  135  (also illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) of first side wall  134  and a bottom edge  137  (also illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) of second side wall  136 . Back wall  131  includes a bottom edge  133  (also illustrated in  FIG. 3 ), a top edge  139  and extends at a substantially perpendicular orientation to bottom edge  135  of first side wall  134  and to bottom edge  137  of second side wall  136 . Each of first side wall  134  and second side wall  136  extends back to front between back wall  131  and front wall  132  opposite one another. Back wall  131  includes a pair of female receiving features  145  for receiving fasteners  129  in order to attach base  108  to backer  106 . Back wall  131  also includes a pair of lower rails  147 , which are elongated protrusions that extend from the front face of back wall  131  and will be discussed in detail below. 
     In one embodiment, first side wall  134  defines an upper edge  138  (also illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) opposite bottom edge  135  and second side wall  136  defines an upper edge  140  (also illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) opposite bottom edge  137 . Upper edges  138  and  140  (also illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) have slopes or curvatures to facilitate reception of a piece of dinnerware, such as an edge or bottom edge of a piece of dinnerware. In addition, first and second side walls  134  and  136  contribute to the overall rigidity of base  108 . With the above in mind, product receiving portion  130  is generally formed as an open box. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and in one embodiment, product receiving portion  130  includes a label or sign support member  142  mounted to front wall  132  between upper edge  143  and bottom edge  144 . Sign support member  142  is substantially planar and defines a substantially planar display face  146  configured to receive a sign or label having indicia related to the type, style, brand, price, etc. of dinnerware to be displayed by product display fixture  100 . 
     As described above, mounting portion  148  is configured to mount to a backer  106  and to a display unit and includes a main member  152  and a pair of interface members  154  and  156  for interfacing with support elements of a display unit, such as crossbar  300  of a display unit. In particular, the pair of interface members  154  and  156  sit on crossbar  300 . Main member  152  includes an upper edge  158 , a lower edge  159 , a pair of female receiving features  149  and a pair of rails  151 . 
     Lower edge  159  is substantially vertically spaced apart from upper edge  139  of back wall  131  of product receiving portion  130 . Main member  152  is substantially planar and laterally centered with respect to product receiving portion  130 . The pair of female receiving features  149  receive fasteners  127  in order to attach base  108  to backer  106 . The pair of rails  151 , like rails  147  on back wall  131  of product receiving portion  130 , are elongated protrusions that extend from the front face of main member  152  and will be discussed in detail below. 
     The pair of interface members  154  and  156  extend backward from main member  152  and include substantially identical substantially horizontal sections  162  and substantially vertical sections  164  that include interior and exterior edges. At the intersection of the interior edges of substantially horizontal sections  162  and main member  152 , first corners  165  are formed. At the intersection of interior edges of substantially horizontal sections  162  and the interior edges of substantially vertical sections  164 , second corners  166  are formed. Interior edges of substantially vertical sections  164 , second corners  166  and interior edges of substantially horizontal sections  162  are configured to receive a crossbar for mounting product display fixture  100  to a display unit. 
     Elongated spine or channel portion  168  not only receives and supports substantially vertical arm  112  and the pair of substantially horizontal arms  110  and  111 , elongated spine or channel portion  168  also connects product receiving portion  130  to mounting portion  148 . Elongated spine portion  168  is laterally centered with respect to back wall  131  of product receiving portion  130  and main member  152  of mounting portion  148  and extends from back wall  131  across the space between upper edge  139  of back wall  131  and bottom edge  159  of mounting portion  148 . Elongated spine portion  168  includes a first channel  170  having a first end  121 , a second end  141  and extends in a substantially vertical direction. First end  121  of first channel  170  receives substantially vertical arm  112 . In other words, substantially vertical arm or first adjustable component  112  is insertably engaged with first channel  170  of elongated spine portion  168 . Elongated spine portion  168  also includes a second channel  172  (also illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) having a first end  194 , a second end  195  and extends in a substantially horizontal direction. First end  194  receives substantially horizontal arm  110  and second end  195  receives substantially horizontal arm  111 . In other words, second adjustable component  110  is insertably engaged with second channel  172  and third adjustable component  111  is insertably engaged with second channels  172 . Second channel  172  is substantially perpendicular to first channel  170 . 
     In addition, elongated spine portion  168  includes an aperture  173  that extends entirely through the thickness of spine portion  168  and is substantially laterally centered on spine portion  168 . Aperture  173  is configured to align with centrally located hole  123  in backer  106  as well as receive multi-functional fastener  125 . In this way and as described above, multi-functional fastener  125 , among other functions that will be described below, fastens base  108  to backer  106 . For example, multi-functional fastener  125  can be a carriage bolt that mates with a washer and wing nut as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a front view,  FIG. 9  illustrates a bottom view and  FIG. 10  illustrates a right side view of one embodiment of a first substantially horizontal arm or first adjustable component  110  of the pair of substantially horizontal arms or adjustable components  110  and  111 .  FIG. 11  illustrates a front view,  FIG. 12  illustrates a top view and  FIG. 13  illustrates a left side view of a second substantially horizontal arm or second adjustable component  111  of the pair of substantially horizontal arms or adjustable components  110  and  111 . First substantially horizontal arm  110  and second substantially horizontal arm  111  are substantially identical except in orientation. For example, the bottom of first substantially horizontal arm  110  is the top of second substantially horizontal arm  111  and the left side of first substantially horizontal arm  110  is the right side of second substantially horizontal arm  111 . 
     Each substantially horizontal arm  110  and  111  includes a proximal end  174  and a distal end  171 . In  FIGS. 8 and 11 , proximal end  174  of first substantially horizontal arm  110  is the right side of first substantially horizontal arm  110  and the proximal end  174  of second substantially horizontal arm  111  is the left side of second substantially horizontal arm  111 . Distal end  171  of first substantially horizontal arm  110  is the left side of first substantially horizontal arm  110  and distal end  171  of second substantially horizontal arm  111  is the right side of second substantially horizontal arm  111 . 
     More particularly, first substantially horizontal arm  110  and second substantially horizontal arm  111  include proximal sections  175 , adjustment sections or portions  176  and clasp sections or product receiving portions  177 . Each adjustment section  176  includes a recessed area  178  and a raised area  179 . Recessed area  178  includes a through slot  199  that extends entirely through the material of first substantially horizontal arm  110  and second substantially horizontal arm  111  and runs along the intersection between recessed area  178  and raised area  179 . Through slot  199  extends from proximal section  175  to clasp section  177 . Each proximal section  175  includes a tooth  198  ( FIGS. 3 ,  10  and  13 ) that extends toward the back of the substantially horizontal arm and an interior shoulder  180  ( FIGS. 8 and 12 ) where raised area of proximal section  176  intersects with slot  199  and proximal section  175 . 
     To interconnect first substantially horizontal arm  110  with second substantially horizontal arm  111 , one of the proximal ends  174  of either first substantially horizontal arm  110  or second substantially horizontal arm  111  is inserted through second channel  172  of spine portion  168 . Then tooth  198  of first substantially horizontal arm  110  is inserted into through slot  199  on second substantially horizontal arm  111  and tooth  198  of second substantially horizontal arm  111  is inserted into through slot  199  on first substantially horizontal arm. For example, proximal end  174  of first substantially horizontal arm  110  can be inserted into first end  194  of second channel  172  or proximal end  174  of second substantially horizontal arm  111  can be inserted into second end  195  of second channel  172 . With teeth  198  inserted into respected through slots  199 , proximal section  175  of second substantially horizontal arm  111  is adapted to or configured to slide from interior shoulder  180  of first substantially horizontal arm  110  along recessed area  178  of first substantially horizontal arm  110  for a distance  182 . Likewise, proximal section  175  of first substantially horizontal arm  110  is adapted to or configured to sliding from interior shoulder  180  of second substantially horizontal arm  111  along recessed area  178  of second substantially horizontal arm  111  for a distance  182 . 
     Clasp sections  177  of substantially horizontal arms  110  and  111  are located at distal ends  171  and in one embodiment include clasps for gripping an edge of a product, such as an edge of a piece of dinnerware, and having a first clasp portion  183  and a second clasp portion  184 . First clasp portion  183  extends forward from distal end  171  and second clasp portion  184  extends substantially inward and slightly angled backward toward the remainder of substantially horizontal arm  110  or substantially horizontal arm  111 . First clasp portion  183  is coupled to distal end  171  of each substantially horizontal arm  110  and  111  with suitable give or flexibility such that first clasp portion  183  is allowed to slightly rotate or bend about the intersection between distal end  171  of each substantially horizontal arm  110  and  111  and first clasp portion  183  upon the application of a suitable force to first clasp portion  183 . Second clasp portion  184  is similarly formed with suitable give to allow slight rotation or bending about the intersection between first clasp portion  183  and second clasp portion  184  upon the application of sufficient force. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a front view,  FIG. 15  illustrates a side view and  FIG. 16  illustrates a bottom view of one embodiment of substantially vertical arm  112 . Substantially vertical arm  112  includes a proximal end  185  and a distal end  186 . Proximal end  185  is the bottom of substantially vertical arm  112  and the distal end  186  is the top of substantially vertical arm  112 . Substantially vertical arm  112  includes an adjustment section or portion  187  and a clasp section  188 . Adjustment section or portion  187  includes an elongated slot  189  that extends through an entire thickness of substantially horizontal arm  112 . Elongated slot  189  spans a distance  190  that is less than a length of adjustment section or portion  187  and does not intersect with proximal end  185  or distal end  186 . Clasp section  188  is located at distal end  186  and like clasp section  177  of substantially horizontal arms  110  and  111  includes clasps for gripping an edge of a product, such as an edge of a piece of dinnerware, and having a first clasp portion  191  and a second clasp portion  192 . First clasp portion  191  extends forward from distal end  186  and second clasp portion  192  extends substantially inward and slightly angled backward toward the remainder of substantially vertical arm  112 . First clasp portion  191  is coupled to distal end  186  with suitable give or flexibility such that first clasp portion  191  is allowed to slightly rotate or bend about the intersection between distal end  186  and first clasp portion  191  upon the application of a suitable force to first clasp portion  191 . Second clasp portion  192  is similarly formed with suitable give to allow slight rotation or bending about the intersection between first clasp portion  191  and second clasp portion  192  upon the application of sufficient force. 
     Adjustment section or portion  187  is configured to be received by first channel  170  of elongated spine portion  168  or adjustment section  187  is configured to be insertably engaged with first channel  170  such that proximal end  185  is located either within first channel  170  or below first channel  170  and distal end  186  is located external to first channel  170 . With reference back to  FIG. 5 , rails  147  and  151  provide a mechanism for substantially vertical arm  112  to ride along and make contact against as it slides between first end  121  and second end  141  in first channel  170 . Rails  147  and  151  push substantially vertical arm  112  against the interior of the front side of first channel  170  so that substantially horizontal arms  110  and  111  have ample room to be located behind substantially vertical arm  112  when interconnected together and positioned in second channel  172  or so that substantially vertical arm  112  is prevented from interfering with second channel  172 . 
     Substantially horizontal arms  110  and  111  and substantially vertical arm  112  can be adjusted to accommodate different sized product, such as different sized dinnerware. In particular, adjustment portion  187  of substantially vertical arm  112  operates to slidably adjust within first channel  170  a distance or span between product receiving portion  130  of base  108  and product receiving portion  188  of substantially vertical arm  112 . Furthermore, adjustment portion  176  of substantially horizontal arm  110  and adjustment portion  176  of substantially horizontal arm  111  operate to slidably adjust relative to each other within second channel  172  a distance or span between product receiving portion  177  of substantially horizontal arm  110  and product receiving portion  177  of substantially horizontal arm  111 . 
     With reference back to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , multi-functional fastener  125  performs three primary functions. First, fastener  125  couples substantially horizontal arms  110  and  111  to substantially vertical arm  112 . Second, fastener  125  couples substantially horizontal arms  110  and  111  and substantially vertical arm  112  to base  108 . Third, fastener  125  couples base  108  to backer  106 . In this way, when fastener  125  is tightened, display fixture  100  is adapted to or configured to support a piece of dinnerware for display. When fastener  125  is loosened, substantially horizontal arms  110  and  111  and substantially vertical arm  112  can be adjusted to accommodate various sizes of dinnerware. For example, if a substantially horizontal span between clasp portion  177  on substantially horizontal arm  110  and clasp portion  177  on substantially horizontal arm  111  is too small or too large, fastener  125  can be loosened to spread arms  110  and  111  apart or to push arms  110  and  111  together. Upon retightening, fastener  125  holds the new substantially horizontal span in place. In another example, if a substantially vertical span between clasp portion  188  on substantially vertical arm  112  and fixed product receiving portion  130  is too small or too large, fastener  125  can be loosened to move substantially vertical arm  112 . Upon retightening, fastener holds the new substantially vertical span in place. 
     To adjust product display fixture  100  to accommodate different sized products, the following method is employed. Fastener  125  is loosened. The adjustment portion  187  of the first adjustable component  112  is slid relative to elongated spine portion  168  to adjust a first distance between product receiving portion  130  of fixed component  108  and product receiving portion  188  of first adjustable component  112 . The adjustment portion  176  of second adjustable component  110  is slid relative to adjustment portion  176  of third adjustable component  111  and adjustment portion  176  of third adjustable component  111  is slid relative to adjustment portion  176  of second adjustable component  110  to adjust a second distance between product receiving portion  177  of second adjustable component  110  and product receiving portion  177  of third adjustable component  111 . Fastener  125  is tightened to couple first adjustable component  112 , second adjustable component  110  and third adjustable component  111  to fixed component  108  so that the various components do not move relative to each other. 
     Before tightening the fastener, a product, such as a piece of dinnerware, can be placed between the product receiving portion of the fixed component and the product receiving portion of the first adjustable component and between the product receiving portion of the second adjustable component and the product receiving portion of the second adjustable component. The first adjustment portion of the first adjustable component is slid relative to the elongated spine portion to engage the product receiving portion of the fixed component and the product receiving portion of the first adjustable component with the product. The adjustment portion of the second adjustable component is slid relative to the adjustment portion of the third adjustable component and the adjustment portion of the third adjustable component is slid relative to the adjustment portion of the second adjustable component to engage the product receiving portion of the second adjustable component and the product receiving portion of the third adjustable component with the product. 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.