Patent Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a retail display having a surface with different elevations. The surface can further be divided into quadrants. A plurality of posts can be mounted in various positions on the different elevations of the top of the surface. The posts can be different heights and have merchandising display holders attached to display a variety of items. Both the posts and the merchandising display holders can be configured in different manners to achieve different themed display zones for each quadrant. The configuration of different elevations provide for improved viewing of items on display and a more aesthetically pleasing display of items.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to an interchangeable multi-level retail display and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for the display of merchandise items having interchangeable arrangements and configurations on a multi-elevational display. 
         [0003]    2. Background of Related Art 
         [0004]    The use of conventional display stands to exhibit jewelry is known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,143 to Gillis is directed to a vertical frame member inserted into a pedestal having a hollow post with an opening for receiving the vertical frame member. This type of construction exemplifies the kinds of stand assemblies in the art, in which the stand is easily susceptible to be detached from the pedestal. Such assemblies are known to be unstable and unsafe because they can topple over easily when jewelry is removed from the stand by a consumer. Instability is one disadvantage of conventional display stands known in the art. 
         [0005]    There are several other disadvantages in using conventional display stands known in the art. Another disadvantage is that the conventional display stand only exhibits one type of jewelry. The display does not allow for a comprehensive exhibit of the merchandise. There is a need to present consumers with a greater number of choices in a display at one time. 
         [0006]    Those of ordinary skill in the art have utilized trays to display jewelry to attempt to overcome the instability and limited display of conventional display stands. These trays are little more than container bins, lacking any specific display components to feature the different and particularized accessory items. The stands or trays are spread in a disorganized or uniform manner across counters. 
         [0007]    Such conventional display stands, racks and trays in the art lack the capacity for variation in arrangement and configuration. Because jewelry stands generally feature only one type of jewelry per stand, a number of different stands are required to exhibit a number of different kinds of jewelry. To arrange and rearrange a conventional display, it is necessary to move each entire stand. For displays featuring a multitude of stands, the task of arrangement and rearrangement is all the more inefficient and inconvenient. In short, there is no unified display in which a plurality of stands can be easily and efficiently arranged and configured as necessary accommodate different presentations. 
         [0008]    Further, conventional display stands and trays do not stand out to the consumer but blend in as average, known marketing tools. They do not effectively promote the jewelry as intended. There is no depth to the display to attract consumers. 
         [0009]    Therefore, what is needed in the art is an improved marketing tool. More particularly, there is a need to create a more aesthetically pleasing display that will draw in consumers for greater sales of the items on display. For example, there is a need to present the items in a three-dimensional manner, with greater depth to the display, to peak the interest of the consumers and attract the consumers to the display. There is also a need to present multiple, stable displays in one system to present jewelry or other items in an organized and visually stimulating manner. A multi-dimensional, multi-component display can provide a clear and organized view of the marketed items compared to those displays known in the art. 
         [0010]    With these goals in mind, the inventors created an improved marketing tool that is a multi-elevational, interchangeable retail display that is capable of being easily and efficiently rearranged to create appealing configurations and attract consumers to the items on display. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a confined, multi-level and interchangeable retail display in which a variety of items may be marketed in a clear, organized, and aesthetically pleasing manner to better attract consumers. 
         [0012]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a multi-level interchangeable retail display in which various display items can be easily coordinated in different assembled arrangements and configurations. 
         [0013]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a multi-level interchangeable retail display that is stable and safe, yet easy and efficient to disassemble for arrangement. 
         [0014]    A display according to the present invention comprises a surface having at least two elevations. Each post can be attached at one end to the surface and another end of the post can receive a merchandising display holder such that a variety of items, such as different types of jewelry, can be displayed. 
         [0015]    Another embodiment of the display comprises a table having a top formed in any shape, where the top has four approximately equal quadrants. For example, the top can be in the shape of an ellipse, circle, square, rectangle, or other geometric shape. The first and second quadrant can have an approximately equal first elevation and diagonally oppose each other. The third and fourth quadrant can have an approximately equal second elevation different from the first elevation and diagonally oppose each other. 
         [0016]    Each quadrant can have at least one receptacle formed therein for receiving at least one post. Each post can have a first end and a second end and have more than one length among them. The first end of the post is capable of stable insertion into at least one of the receptacles and the second end is capable of receiving a merchandising display holder. The receptacles and first ends of the posts can further comprise threaded portions to engage one another. The posts are capable of being interchangeable among the receptacles and the merchandising display holders are capable of being interchangeable among the posts. 
         [0017]    The merchandising display holder can fit within an inner diameter of the second end of the post. Further, each of the second ends of the posts can have a locking member capable of locking each of merchandising display holder such that each the merchandising display holder is capable of being securely attached to each post. The display can thereby display items, such as a variety of types of jewelry or signs. 
         [0018]    A method of assembly of a multi-level, interchangeable retail display is also described. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a front orthogonal view of an embodiment of a display in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a top orthogonal view of an embodiment of a display in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a side orthogonal view of an embodiment of a display in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a display in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a front orthogonal and partial transparent view of an embodiment of a post and a front orthogonal view of an embodiment of a merchandising display holder in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a front orthogonal view of an embodiment of a merchandising display holder in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a front orthogonal view of an embodiment of a merchandising display holder in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a front orthogonal view of an embodiment of a merchandising display holder in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a display surface or top in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]      FIGS. 1-4  and  9  show an embodiment of multi-level interchangeable retail display in accordance with the invention. The display comprises a surface  20 , or a table  10  having a top  20 . Although in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  9  the surface  20  or top  20  is shown as an ellipse, it is contemplated that the surface  20  or top  20  can be of any geometric shape, including but not limited to a circle, square, rectangle, etc. Furthermore, it is also contemplated that the surface  20  or top  20  can be made of any suitable material, such as wood, metal or plastic. 
         [0029]    The display can be comprised of a table  10  or any other surface  20 , and need not have support members  11  like the table  10  shown in the figures. Alternatively, the table  10  can have at least one support member  11  that can be configured in any manner that is sufficient to support the table  10 . For example the table  10  can further have stationary legs  11  or wheels for mobility. A non-limiting example of a table  10  having support members  11  is shown in FIGS.  1  and  3 - 5 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4  and  9 , the surface  20  or top  20  of the table  10  further comprises at least two elevations  12 ,  14 . In a non-limiting embodiment shown, the table is divided among four substantially equal quadrants  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 . A first quadrant  22  and second quadrant  24  diagonally oppose one another and have an approximately equal first elevation  12 . A third quadrant  26  and fourth quadrant  28  diagonally oppose one another and have an approximately equal second elevation  14 . The different elevations  12 ,  14  of the top  20  allow a more aesthetically pleasing and alluring display of various merchandising display holders  40  held on posts  30  to attract consumers to the display surface  20  or table  10 , compared to displays known in the prior art. 
         [0031]    Each quadrant  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  may be defined as a themed display zone. Themes for each quadrant may be defined by a common style, a type or category of jewelry, by a brand, or price range. 
         [0032]    The surface  20  or top  20  of the table  10  includes at least one receptacle  16  therein to receive at least one post  30 . The number and distribution of posts  30  on the surface  20  or top  20  can be varied. As shown in  FIG. 5 , each post has a first end  32  and a second end  34 . The first end  32  of the post can attach with the surface  20  or top  20  of the table  10 . The second end  34  of the post can attach with a merchandising display holder  40 . 
         [0033]    The posts  30  and receptacles  16  can be fitted with one another to allow secure attachment. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 9 , a receptacle  16  can have a male threaded portion  18  to receive a first end  32  of a post  30  having a female threaded portion  36 , or vice versa, such that the threaded portions  18 ,  36  engage one another to further hold the post  30  in a stable manner. The first end  32  of the post  30  can be removably attached to the post  30  in certain embodiments. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the first end  32  of the post  30  can be a fitted insert. The receptacles  16  are capable of securely engaging the first ends  32  of the posts  30  to prevent movement of the post  30  during normal use and thus enable the invention to work for its intended purpose. 
         [0034]    The post  30  is mounted to the top  20  by inserting post  30  into the receptacle  16 , such that the body of the post  30  rests on the top  20  surface of table  10  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The posts  30  are interchangeable among the plurality of receptacles  16 . In another embodiment, the post  30  can be secured to the surface  20  or top  20  by any appropriate mounting system, such as a washer and nut assembly that mounts the post  30  from the underside of the surface  20  or top  20  to maintain the post  30  in a stable upright position. 
         [0035]    The post  30  can have a second end  34  that is capable of receiving a merchandising display holder  40  to which an item, such as a piece of jewelry, is placed for display. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the posts  30  can be of varying lengths, i.e. height, to display multiple types items on different posts  30  in a clear, attractive and organized manner. The merchandising display holder  40  can be of any various shape, size or configuration to display any item desired to be on display. For example, the merchandising display holder  40  can be a vertical rod that can be used to display bracelets or watches, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The merchandising display holder  40  can be a rack that can be used to display, e.g., earrings or cards  13  with earrings attached, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The merchandising display holder  40  can be a horizontal rod that can be used to display, e.g., bracelets, watches or necklaces, as shown in  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the merchandising display holder  40  can be a placeholder, in which a sign can be inserted. 
         [0036]    The merchandising display holders  40  are interchangeable among the posts  30 , thereby allowing different display arrangements. It is in the scope of the invention to have the posts and merchandising display holders made of any suitable material sufficient to maintain and hold the items chosen for display, for example, metal or stainless steel. 
         [0037]    Regardless of its shape, size or configuration, the merchandising display holder  40  can have a connecting end  42  to attach to a second end  34  of a post  30  in any suitable manner. The second end  34  of the post  30  can have an inner diameter  34 A and an outer diameter  34 B. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the diameter  44  of the connecting end  42  can be substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter  34 A that defines an aperture within the post  30  such that the merchandising display holder  40  is securely fitted in the post  30  when inserted in the post  30 . The remaining portion of the post  30  beyond the aperture defined by the inner diameter  34 A of the second end  34  of the post  30  can be solid. 
         [0038]    In addition, the post  30  can have a locking member  38  to securely attach the merchandising display holder  40  to the post  30 . The locking member  38  can be, for example, a screw or wing nut that is accommodated through a hole in the post  30  to engage a connecting end  42  of a merchandising display holder  40 , so as to lock the merchandising display holder  40  into a desired position. Referring to  FIG. 5 , locking member  38  can be assembled to a post  30  by inserting a threaded portion of locking member  38  through a threaded hole provided in the post  30  to engage the merchandising display holder  40 . The merchandising display holders  40  can be locked into the posts  30  at various lengths. 
         [0039]    It is also within the scope of the invention that each post  30  and merchandising display holder  40  are permanently integrated as one assembly, having one end that can attach to the surface  20  or top  20  of the display  10  (the first end  32  of the post  30 ) and the other end is comprised of a merchandising display holder  40  that can hold items for display. When the post  30  and merchandising display holder  40  are integrated as one assembly, the assembly, like the posts  30 , can be interchangeable among the receptacles  16  or attached in different positions on the different elevations  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  of the display  10 . 
         [0040]    As such, it is contemplated a myriad of displays can be achieved by combining posts  30  in different locations on the surface  20  or top  20  of a table  10 , with various heights and assortments of merchandising display holders  40 , to create a multitude of arrangements and configurations. 
         [0041]    This invention is not to be limited by the embodiments shown in the drawings and described in the specification, which is given by way of example and not of limitation, but only in accordance with the scope of the appended claims. All equivalent adaptations and modifications based on the technological spirit of the present invention shall remain protected within the scope and claims of the invention herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0