Abstract:
A jewelry display stand including a vertical post assembly mounted on a base. A plurality of arms, serving as hanger elements for jewelry or other merchandise, radiate from the post. The arms co-operate with anti-removal elements on the post that prevent merchandise from being removed from the spokes. In one embodiment a ring engaging the tips of the arms provides the anti-removal elements. In another embodiment the anti-removal elements are a set of spokes above the arms. Either the arms or the spokes are movable up and down and are spring-biased upwards, to a position in which the arms are separated from the anti-removal elements and merchandise can be removed from or placed on the arms. A cap on the post engages the movable elements, holding them down, and keeping the arms engaged with the ring or spokes. A slot in the cap allows one arm or spoke to rise to the non-engaging position, and the cap is rotatable about a vertical axis so that the slot can be aligned with any selected arm or spoke. Thus, merchandise can be removed from only the selected arm, reducing the risk of pilferage.

Description:
This application is based on provisional application Ser. No. 60/158,665, filed on Oct. 8, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improved merchandise display stand for supporting jewelry chains or necklaces. 
     In my earlier patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,710, there is disclosed a merchandise display stand comprising a vertical post mounted on a base. A plurality of radially spaced spokes adapted to hold the merchandise to be displayed is mounted on the upper end of the post. A separate closure ring adapted to co-operate with the spokes is also attached to the upper end of the post. The spokes and/or the ring are manually movable in a vertical direction relative to the post to allow merchandise to be placed on the spoke or removed therefrom. 
     As a result a sales clerk must manually raise each spoke and hold each spoke in the raised position in order to open the spoke from the ring so as to hang or to remove the merchandise from display. During the sales day the sales clerk needs to constantly re-raise and hold each spoke to accommodate the customers. To do so the clerk is required to use both hands in order to handle the merchandise, i.e. she must hold the spoke raised with one hand while simultaneously handling the merchandise with her free hand. The display device of my prior patent, while successfully preventing theft and providing an aesthetically pleasing sales display is somewhat difficult to use. In addition the display device requires constant attention during manipulation. 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved display stand for holding and exhibiting articles of jewelry. 
     Another object is to provide a display stand which maintains features for preventing or minimizing theft, shop lifting or pilferage therefrom while simplifying the use and manual operation of the device. 
     A further object is to provide a display stand which is simple to construct, aesthetically appealing, inexpensive to manufacture. 
     These objects together with other objects and advantages are set forth in the following disclosure of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In general, the display stand of the present invention comprises a vertical post assembly mounted on a base. A plurality of spokes and a retaining ring are mounted at the upper end of the post. The spokes are movably mounted to be normally biased in an upward direction. Rotatably attached to the upper end of the post is a center cap adapted to retain said spokes depressed with the post. The cap has an axial slot permitting a selected one of said spokes to automatically raise, when properly rotated. 
     Full details of the present invention are set forth in the following description of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be best understood by reference to the following drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view, of a display stand showing the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along A—A of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view, partially sectioned, of a display stand showing the internal construction of the post assembly. 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view, partially sectioned, of the display stand cap and locking mechanism; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view, of a second embodiment of a display stand incorporating the inventive features of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of an additional embodiment of the display apparatus according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of an additional embodiment of the display apparatus according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the closing features of the embodiment shown in FIG.  7 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As seen, the display stand generally designated by reference numeral  10 , comprises a base  12 , a vertically oriented hollow cylindrical post  14  mounted thereon and a horizontally oriented hanger assembly  16  mounted at the upper end of the post  14 . The hanger assembly  16  comprises a plurality hanger elements in the form of of spokes  18  arrayed radially from the post  14  anti removal elements in the form of and a closure ring  22  fixed by a pair of arms  20  to the post  14 . The closure ring  22  acts to normally close the end of the spoke  18  to retain merchandise M thereon, thereby acting as an anti-removal device. 
     The lower end of the post  14  is removably secured to a central opening preferably should have mating threads to allow the post  14  to be secured to the base  12 . Attached to the upper end of the center post  14  is a pair of diametrically extending arms  20  to the radial outer ends of which is attached a closure ring  22 . The top edge or rim of the center post  14  is provided with a plurality of notches  24  into which the spokes  18  sit. 
     Located within the upper end of the post  14  is a shaft  52  on which is hung a pair of plates  28  and  30 , which are provided with guide holes  29  and  32  respectively. Plate  28  is fixed to the mid-point of the interior of the center post  14  while the other plate  30  is fixed to the upper end of center post  14  just below the notches  24 . The plates  28  and  30  are aligned such that all of the holes  29  and  32  axially correspond to one another as welt as being radially aligned with each notch  24  so as to guide the spokes  18 . 
     The spokes  18  are the longitudinal extensions of an elongated rod  34  bent mid-way between the ends, in an I-shaped fashion. Each rod  34  passes loosely through a respective guide hole  32  and a respective guide hole  29  so as to be vertically movable. A cotter pin  36  prevents the rod  34  from rising out of guide hole  29 . While a cotter pin is used to prevent the rod from rising out of the guide hole  29  any other retention means (i.e. a cap) may be used. The rod  34  is also provided with a circumferential groove  38  spaced a distance upward from cotter pin  36 , in which a C-clamp  40  is seated. An open helical compression spring  42  is wound about each rod  34  between the plate  28  and the C-clamp  40 . Alternatively, C-clamp  40  can be replaced with a through hole and cotter pin configuration, a collar grip and bolt, a fitters clamp or any other means which would cause the compression spring  40  to become compressed as the rod  34  is lowered. In normal use, the compression spring  42  keeps the spokes  18  biased upwardly. 
     Having the upper end of each rod  34  pass through guide holes  32  ensures that each rod  34  is raised and lowered solely in a vertical axis. Each guide hole  32  is provided with a bushing  44  for smooth axial movement of each rod  34 . 
     The closure ring  22  is provided with a plurality of indents or recesses  46  on its upper surface into which the ends of the spokes  18  are received so that when each rod  34  is in the lowered second position, the end of the spoke  18  sits in a corresponding recess  46  preventing unauthorized removal of merchandise. When the rod  34  is in the raised first position, the end of the spoke  18  is spaced a vertical distance away from the recess  46  so that merchandise can be added or removed from the display  10  as needed. 
     Movement of the integral spoke  18  and rod  34  is controlled by a cap  48  which is rotatably journaled, by bearing  50 , to the upper end of a center shaft  52 . The outer race of hearing  50  is fixedly attached to the center of the cap  48  while the inner race of bearing  50  is fixedly attached to the upper end of center shaft  52 . The center shaft  52  passes through the center of the plates  28  and  30  respectively and is secured in place by a threaded nut  54 . In this manner, the cap  48  is free to rotate about the center shaft  52 . 
     The cap  48  is cup shaped, having a horizontal wall and depending skirt. The cap  48  is provided with a single axial slot  56  in its skirt which does not extend to the horizontal wall. The bottom of the slot  56  creates a stop  58 . The lower peripheral edge, or lip of the cap  48 , except for the opening of the slot  56 , provides a cam surface against which the spokes  18  ride when the cap  48  is rotated. 
     In use, all of the spokes  18  are initially in a second depressed position and the cap  48  rotated so that the slot  56  is out of register with any of the spokes  18 . The lower edge of cap  48  acts as a barrier which prevents the spokes  18  from rising until the slot  56  is moved into alignment with a selected spoke  18 . When the slot  56  of the rotating cap  48  is moved in line with the selected spoke  18 , the selected spoke  18  is automatically raised to a first position under bias of the compression spring  42 . The display  10  is thus opened and remains in an opened position, locked in place by the continual force of the compression spring  42 . To close the display  10 , the sales clerk pushes down on the spoke  18 , thus re-compressing the spring  42 , and thereafter rotates the cap  48  so as to move the edge of the lip above the spoke  18 . 
     In order to provide for the automatic return of the cap  48  to a closed position, wherein all of the spokes are depressed, a coil or spiral spring  60  is attached at one end to the cap  48  and at its other end to the center shaft  52 . In this manner the cap  48  is rotatively biased with respect to the post  14  into its initial normal position. 
     The cap  48  may also be provided with locking means comprising a tongue  64  and a key operated pivot  62  which prevents any spoke  18  from being inadvertently raised, no matter what rotation of the cap  48  occurs. 
     The display stand of the present invention may be built of metal tubing, i.e. chrome or brass which are most suitable for their appearance as well. Other metals can, of course, be used. 
     While the base  12  is depicted as being circular in shape it may, in fact, take any shape or form. Also, while the post  14  is cylindrical, any ornamental contour can be utilized or any finish applied to create the aesthetic effect desired by the retailer. 
     In FIGS. 5 to  8  a modified display stand  100  employing the present invention is shown. The display stand is generally formed of a cylindrical post  102 , mounted on a conventional base  104 , on which is located a display wheel  106 , consisting of a cylindrical hub  108  having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the post  102  so that it fits over and seats on the top of the post  102 . A plurality of hanger elements in the form of radially extending arms  110  ( 4  being shown) are fixedly attached to the hub  108 . Each arm  110  has a plurality of hangers  112  on which product is held. Supported on the hub  108  is a manifold receptacle  114  housing the guide plate in which a plurality of anti-removal elements in the form of retention spokes  116  are located. The arms  110  are angularly offset from the radius as depicted in FIG. 5 in order to accommodate the radially extending spokes  116 . A cap  118  is rotatably mounted over the manifold receptacle  114  and the entire assembly held together by a central shaft  120  all operating in the manner previously described. 
     The retention spokes  116  are normally closed over the hangers  112  of the display wheel  106  to prevent removal of the products being displayed, thereby acting as an anti-removal element. The selection cap  118  is rotatable to specifically select a single retention spoke  116  allowing it to be raised for the removal only of the goods held by the corresponding arm  110 . The arms  110  are fixed at their outer ends to a ring  122  which joins the arms  110 , in common and acts to stabilize the arms  110 . 
     The manifold receptable  114  comprises a cylindrical stub body  128  having a smaller exterior diameter, at its lower end, than the interior diameter of the post  102 , and a slightly larger diameter at its upper end providing a shoulder  130  against which the hub  108  and post  102  will seat when the narrower end of the manifold receptacle  114  is inserted in the post  102 . The wall of the manifold receptacle  114  is provided with an L-shaped slot  132  into which a pin  134  extending inwardly from the surface of the hub  108  fits, allowing the manifold receptacle  114  to be locked into place, bayonet fashion. 
     Each of the post  102 , the hub  108  and the manifold receptacle  114  are formed with a threaded hole  124 ,  135  and  136  respectively. The post  102 , hub  108  and manifold receptacle  114  are then fastened together in fixed position by a screw  126 . 
     Secured within the body of the manifold receptacle  114  is a transverse plate  138  having a central opening  140  and a plurality of bushings  142  arrayed about the central opening. The number of bushings  142  will generally conform to the number of retention spokes  116 . Each bushing  142  is adapted to receive the elongated stem  144  of a respective spoke  116 . The spokes  116  are constructed similar to those shown and described earlier and are biased by compression springs  146  in the same manner. To allow for full seating of the spokes  116 , the upper edge of the manifold receptacle  114  is provided with semi-circular indents or notches  150  corresponding to each spoke  116 . 
     From this point in the disclosure on, the construction of the post  102 , the spokes  116 , the cap  118 , the biasing means and the like are identical to the structure previously shown and described and further description is referred thereto. 
     The entire device is assembled by first installing each of the spokes  116  by their stems  144  through the bushings  142  and the compression springs  146  positioned into place. Thereafter the display wheel  106  is placed onto the post  102  and by then installing the manifold receptacle  114  onto the hub  108  and post  102 . The selection cap  118  is thereafter inserted over the manifold receptacle  114  so that the central shaft  120  passes through the center of the manifold receptacle  114  until an enlarged upper end  160  of the central shaft  120  abuts against the plate  138  within the manifold receptacle  114 . The spokes  116  are thus retained within their respective notches  150 . 
     In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, the arms  110  terminate in a free end having a cavity or recess  170  rather than in a ring  122 . On the other hand the spokes  116  terminate in a downturned end  170  which is inserted into the cavity  168 , when spoke  116  is lowered to the closed position, preventing the removal of the product therefrom. 
     In this embodiment, the arms  110  do not have offset hangers  112  although they are provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced indents  172  along their upper edge. Pins  174  may be inserted along the length of each arm  110  for the display of jewelry which has a clasp. 
     The display shown in FIG. 6 is particularly useful with jewelry having a clasp which includes a retaining ring. The pins  174  permit the clasp ring to be slipped over the end of pin  174  and prevented from being removed therefrom when arm  110  is lowered to the closed position to come into contact with the ends of each pin  174 . A plurality of evenly spaced upside down cups  176  are located along the underside of each arm  110  and each aligned with a respective pin  174 . Thus, when the arm  110  is lowered to the closed position, the cups  176  the pins  174  and thus further prevent possible removal of the jewelry therefrom. In this way, both clasped and unclasped jewelry can be displayed without fear of unauthorized removal. 
     In yet another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the arms  110  as well as the spokes  116  are modified to tilt downward. In this configuration, merchandise, such as handbags, may be hung from the hangers  112  of arms  110  by their shoulder straps and allowed to freely hang down. Similarly cups  176  can be located along the underside of each arm  110  for engaging the free ends of the hangers  112  when in the closed position. 
     It should be pointed out that while the invention has been described in conjunction with womens&#39; fashion items such as jewelry, bracelets, necklaces and handbags it must be realized that the invention can be effectively used for storing or holding a variety of other articles such as mens belts, chains, ties and the like. The invention effectively minimizes unauthorized removal of articles from the display device, and jewelry is highly susceptible to theft. 
     Various embodiments and modifications have been suggested herein and other changes and modifications will be obvious to those skilled in this art. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure be given wide scope and the invention limited only by the claims appendant hereto.