Abstract:
A grid wall display system and grid wall brackets for use therein, the grid wall brackets configured to removably secure to adjacent vertical supports and to securely retain a grid wall panel therebetween, without requiring permanent attachment or hardware to secure the grid wall panel to the bracket or the bracket to the vertical supports. The grid bracket includes a first rearwardly extending attachment tab including an upward projection and a downward projection, each projection designed to allow the bracket to fit within or clear the slots of the slotted vertical support when pivoted or tipped at an angle with respect to the position of the vertical support, but also to prevent removal or slippage of the bracket when the grid wall itself is installed or repositioned thereon.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to product display systems, and more particularly to grid wall or panel display systems, wherein a grid panel is supported between adjacent vertical supports, in a commercial and/or retail environment. 
         [0002]    Retailers utilize many types of merchandising and display systems to market, display and sell products. Product display systems can be wall mounted, free-standing or floor mounted, and can include a wide number of accessories for shelving, hanging and/or displaying products. In typical retail environments, the ability to efficiently and attractively organize products within a display system is critical to successful merchandising. Indeed, retailers invest significant time and resources setting up and configuring merchandise display fixtures in order to achieve the best product placement and sales conditions in a consumer friendly environment. 
         [0003]    A common type of product display system includes a grid-like arrangement that is mounted to a wall or flat surface. Typically, grid wall product display systems include parallel, slotted vertical support members between which grid panels are hung with the use of mounting brackets. Grid wall panels include a plurality of horizontally extending bars and a plurality of vertically extending bars mounted on a frame structure. The grid panel is configured to be used with a number of different accessories, such as baskets, racks, hangers, faceouts and other product display members that secure to the horizontal and/or vertical members of the grid. In order to support the weight of the accessories and products to be displayed, grid wall panels are typically constructed of metal or another rigid material. Such systems are quite large and bulky and, as will be recognized, are extremely heavy. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, while grid wall display systems offer a versatile way to configure many different types of products, installation of such systems can require significant time and effort. Due to the size and weight of the grid wall panels, conventional grid wall systems require the grid hanging brackets to be welded or otherwise mechanically fastened to the slotted vertical supports. In turn, the grid wall panel itself is welded or otherwise mechanically fastened to the grid hanging bracket to provide a safe and secure product display system. 
         [0005]    The system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,240 to Allen, teaches a grid panel that is secured between adjacent slotted vertical support members using brackets. The brackets must be welded or mechanically fastened, with screws or the like, to the grid panel members. For example, the patent discloses securing grid mounting brackets to the horizontal members of the grid panel prior to installation of the brackets on the vertical supports. The brackets are stationarily secured to the horizontal members by threading screws through the bracket and tightening the screws to the horizontal members. This procedure is repeated for both sides of the grid panel. The grid panel with the brackets attached to each end thereof is then secured to the slotted columns by placing the hook portions of the brackets in a respective slot in the slotted columns. If, for some reason, the brackets are not properly spaced along the horizontal members of the grid panel, the screws must be loosened, the position of the brackets adjusted, and the grid panel and bracket assembly again positioned to engage the slotted vertical members. 
         [0006]    Due to the size and weight of most grid walls, installation of the brackets to the slotted columns, with the grid wall already attached, is difficult and cumbersome to maneuver and requires more than one individual to install. In addition, after the grid wall and bracket assembly is secured to the slotted vertical supports, the screws/hardware on the brackets must again be tightened, to ensure the grid panel is properly secured within the system, requiring lengthy set up and disassembly time. Once installed, such a system is not easily reconfigurable when the retail environment is changed or rearranged. Indeed, because the grid wall is mechanically fastened to the bracket, there is no horizontal, e.g. left to right, adjustability of the grid panel when repositioning of the grid panel is required or desired. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, a need exists for an attractive and secure grid wall display system that requires less time and resources to install and disassemble. In addition, a need exists for a grid wall merchandising system that allows the grid panels to be easily installed on to and removed from the grid wall brackets, without requiring hardware or fastening devices to ensure the grid is properly secured in place. Also, a grid wall display system having grid wall brackets that are easily installed, repositioned and removed from the vertical supports would also be advantageous. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides, in part, product display grid systems and grid panel hanging brackets for use in such display systems. The display system includes a grid panel supported between adjacent, spaced apart vertical support columns by a plurality of grid wall brackets. 
         [0009]    The product display grid panel is of the type typically found in commercial, warehouse and/or other conventional retail establishments and may be formed in any number of dimensions and constructions, as will be well known to those skilled in the art. Typically, the grid panel comprises a plurality of spaced vertical parallel members and a plurality of spaced parallel horizontal members connected and arranged to form a grid, onto which a variety of product hangers, displays, signage, shelving, racks and other display accessories may be fastened or removably secured. Preferably, the vertical and horizontal members are perpendicular relative to each other, but the grid panel may include diagonal or other shaped members in addition to and/or intersecting the vertical and horizontal members. 
         [0010]    The vertical support columns are substantially identical to each other in construction, and are secured to a wall or another vertical, substantially planar surface of the retail establishment using any type of securing or fastening mechanism, as will known to those skilled in the art. Each of the vertical support columns includes a plurality of spaced-apart, vertically aligned slots, extending longitudinally along the length of the front surface of the vertical support columns. The distance between adjacent slots is determined by the type of columns utilized, and may differ from manufacturer to manufacture, and from system to system, as will be well known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0011]    The grid wall brackets of the present invention are configured to secure the grid panel to the vertical support columns without requiring hardware, mechanical fasteners or other external securing devices. The grid wall brackets are provided to support the left and right hand sides of the grid wall panels, and therefore, the grid wall brackets are preferably mirror image of each other, with at least one left hand bracket used to support the left hand side of the grid wall panel on the left hand vertical support column and with at least one right hand bracket used to support the right hand side of the grid wall panel on the right hand vertical support column. 
         [0012]    The grid bracket is constructed in a substantially U-shaped or channel configuration, including forwardly projecting right and left hand flanges and a web portion therebetween. The web portion/rear surface of the bracket include a tab that extends from the upper, back edge of the left flange and includes a top projection that extends upward from the tab, an arcuate or curved portion that extends downwardly, terminating in a notch for engaging the slotted vertical support column. The tab is dimensioned to clear and/or be insertable into the slots in the vertical support column when the bracket is pivoted to a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical support column. 
         [0013]    The web portion/rear surface of the bracket also includes a stabilization bar that extends from the lower, back edge of the left flange is sufficient long enough to extend through the slots of and engage the vertical support when the bracket is installed. The distance between the tab and the bar can differ from system to system, and depends on the type of vertical supports utilized. 
         [0014]    Each of the right and left hand flanges of the brackets extends frontwardly or forwardly from the web portion of the bracket. Each of the flanges comprises an attachment portion for slidably engaging the horizontal members of the grid wall panel. Each attachment portion preferably comprises a plurality of U-shaped support arms, with each of the arms including a recess for receiving the horizontal members of the grid wall panel. The number of arms of the attachment portions can also vary depending on the size, weight and type of grid wall utilized in the system. The recesses formed with each arm are configured to mate with, and securely retain the horizontal members of the grid panel. 
         [0015]    The grid wall brackets are installed onto the vertical supports by pivoting the bracket upward at an angle away from the vertical support, in a manner that permits the top projection of the tab to be inserted or clear the slot in the vertical support. The grid wall bracket is then lowered or pivoted downward into position, locking it into place. Once the brackets are properly installed on the vertical support columns, the grid wall panel is placed onto the brackets by lifting the grid panel upwards, orienting it between the vertical supports, and lowering it onto the brackets such that the ends of the horizontal members of the grid panel rest and are slidably secured within the recesses of the brackets. 
         [0016]    It will be appreciated that the tab and stabilization bar are sufficiently long enough to prevent the brackets from being removed or slipping out of the slots of the vertical support columns when the grid panel is installed. As such, the present invention provides a product display grid system wherein the grid panel is not mechanically fastened to the grid wall hanging brackets, and therefore is slidably and securely received therein. Such configuration permits the grid panel to be adjusted or moved in either the left or right direction without requiring the use of tools, removal of hardware from the system, removal of the grid panel from the brackets and/or removal of the brackets from the vertical supports. The product display grid system of the present invention therefore permits easy installation, adjustment and removal of the grid wall from the brackets. 
         [0017]    It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can lead to certain other objectives. Each objective may not apply equally, in all instances, to every aspect of the present invention. As such, these and other objects can be viewed in the alternative with respect to any one aspect of the present invention. Other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in this summary and descriptions of the disclosed embodiments, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above as taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a grid wall display system, including easily positionable left and right-hand grid wall brackets, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the grid wall system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , shown without a grid wall positioned thereon; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a right side perspective view of the right-hand grid wall bracket, illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a left side perspective view of the right-hand grid wall bracket, illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the right-hand bracket illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , showing installation of the bracket into the slots of a vertical support column; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a partial side view of the grid wall display system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , taken along the line  6 - 6 , showing the right-hand bracket installed onto the vertical support column, with the horizontal members of the grid panel shown in phantom; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7A  is a side view of the grid wall display system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , with the horizontal members of the grid panel shown in phantom, demonstrating the ability of the bracket to be retained in vertical support when grid wall is manipulated; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7B  is an additional side view of the grid wall display system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , with the horizontal members of the grid panel shown in phantom, demonstrating the ability of the bracket to be retained in vertical support when grid wall is manipulated; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a partial top view of the grid wall display system illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 7 , with the horizontal members of the grid panel shown in phantom; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a grid wall display system according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a double slotted vertical support column is utilized; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of a grid wall display system according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a double slotted vertical support column is utilized. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    A grid wall bracket and grid display system in accordance with the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 through 8 . While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and herein are described in detail, certain illustrative embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to those as illustrated and described herein. 
         [0030]    Turning first to  FIG. 1 , a display system  50  of the present invention comprises, in its simplest form, a grid panel  56 , a plurality of grid wall brackets  52  and  54  and substantially parallel, vertical supports  68  and  70 . The display system  50  is of the type typically used in retail establishments to display products to consumers such as food packages in a grocery store. Without limitation, the grid panel  56 , grid wall brackets  52  and  54  and the vertical supports  68  and  70  are constructed of metal or another material capable of supporting the active, working weight of the product display system, as will be well known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0031]    The product display grid system  50  of the present invention will be described hereafter as used in a retail establishment. However, it should be noted that the product display grid system  50  also has uses in other environments such as warehouses, product storage locations, offices and the like in which objects are to be supported and displayed. It will also be appreciated that while the display system  50  is illustrated including a single grid panel  56 , the present invention can include a plurality of connecting or interlinking grid systems, as will be well known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0032]    The grid panel  56  comprises a plurality of spaced vertical members  60  and a plurality of spaced parallel horizontal members  62  connected and arranged to form the grid panel  56 . The vertical and horizontal members  60  and  62  respectively have a perpendicular orientation relative to each other. The grid panel  56  may have structural or frame members  64  and  66  located at the top and bottom of the grid panel  56 , respectively, to add strength and/or rigidity to the grid wall, depending on the type of construction of the grid wall. As such, consistent with the broader aspects of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the grid panel  56  is not limited to any particular construction, provided that at least a portion of the grid wall includes substantially horizontal members that will be received by the grid wall brackets, as will be explained in more detail below. 
         [0033]    In certain preferred embodiments, the vertical and horizontal members  60  and  62  are constructed of metal, cylindrical rods. The diameter of each of the members  60  and  62  is preferably about ¼ inch, but other diameters may also be used. It will be appreciated that the vertical and horizontal members  60  and  62  may be constructed of any substantially rigid material, and can include, but are not limited to, members having square, triangular or oval cross-sectional shapes. 
         [0034]    Preferably, the horizontal members  62  are spaced by a distance of about ½ inch and the vertical members  60  are spaced by a distance of about 8 inches. However, it should be noted that the members  60  and  62  can be spaced at various distances. The vertical and horizontal members  60  and  62  can be secured in the desired configuration by welding, adhesives or using mechanical fasteners, such as screws, clips or pins. As described, the grid panel  56  is preferably made up of parallel, equally spaced vertical and horizontal members  60  and  62 , respectively. However, it should be noted that the grid panel  56  can have adjacent members  60  and/or  62  that are not equally spaced to provide even more versatility in some applications or the grid panel  56  can be comprised of only horizontal members  62 . The grid panel  56 , and indeed, the display system  50  can be of varying overall dimensions, depending on the particular application of the display system  50 . 
         [0035]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , in addition to  FIG. 1 , the vertical supports  68  and  70  are substantially identical in construction, and are secured to a wall or another substantially planar surface of the retail establishment using any type of securing or fastening mechanism known to those skilled in the art. It will be appreciated that the distance between the vertical supports  68  and  70  is determined by the size of the grid panel  56  and the particular display system  50  application. As such, more than two vertical supports may be required for a given display system  50 , depending on the overall size, weight and application of the grid wall display system. In certain preferred embodiments, the vertical supports  68  and  60  are constructed of a metal or metal-alloy material, however, other rigid materials may be used, including but not limited to plastic, wood or ceramic. Each of the vertical supports  68  and  70  includes a plurality of spaced-apart slots  72  and  74 , respectively. 
         [0036]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the grid wall brackets  52  and  54  are configured to secure the grid panel  56  to the vertical supports  68  and  70 . Preferably, the grid wall brackets  54  for use on a first or right side of the grid panel  56  are the mirror image of the brackets  52  used on a second or left side of the grid panel  56  so that the brackets  52  and  54  can support/recieve opposing ends (e.g. left and right-hand ends) of the grid panel&#39;s horizontal members. The grid brackets  54  are designated right side brackets and are illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 7 . With reference thereto, the right brackets  54  will now be described. It will be appreciated that the left hand brackets  52  are mirror images of the right hand brackets  54  illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 8  and are constructed accordingly. 
         [0037]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in addition to  FIG. 2 , the grid bracket  54  comprises a main body, indicated generally at  80 , constructed in a substantially U-shaped or channel configuration, including a web portion/rear surface  82  and forwardly projecting flanges  84  and  86 , respectively. A tab  88  extends rearwardly from a back edge  89  of the flange  84 , a distance beyond the rear surface  82  of the bracket  54 , and includes a top projection  90  extending upwardly from an edge of the tab  88 , a downwardly extending arcuate portion  92 , and a notch  94  for engaging the slotted column  70 , as will be described in more detail below. As described in more detail with respect to  FIGS. 5 through 7 , the tab  88  is dimensioned to be insertable into the slots  74  in the vertical support  70  at a predetermined angle. 
         [0038]    A stabilization/guide bar  96  also extends rearwardly from the back edge  89  of the flange  84  to provide strength to the bracket and is sufficiently long enough to extend through the slots of and engage the vertical support when the bracket is installed. As will be recognized, the distance between the tab  88  and the bar  96  can vary from system to system, and depends on the type of vertical supports utilized and the distance between the slots on the vertical support and the dimensions of the slots. 
         [0039]    The flange  84  extends frontwardly or forwardly from the rear surface  82  of the body  80 , can include a bend or slanted portion  100 , and terminates in an attachment portion  102 . The attachment portion  102  preferably comprises a plurality of U-shaped support arms  104 , with each of the arms  104  defining a recess  1   10  for receiving the horizontal members  62  of the grid panel  56 . The flange  86  is substantially planar and extends frontwardly from the rear surface  82  of the body  80  and terminates in an attachment portion  106 . Like the attachment portion  104 , the attachment portion  106  preferably includes a plurality of U-shaped arms  108 , each defining a recess  112  for receiving the horizontal members  62  of the grid panel  56 . 
         [0040]    Although the attachment portions shown on each bracket are illustrated having three support arms, the number of arms can vary depending on the size, weight and type of grid wall utilized in the system. In addition, it will be appreciated that the size and shape of the recesses  110  and  112  defined by each of the arms  104  and  108 , respectively, is determined by the size and shape of the horizontal members  62  of the grid panel  56 . As such, the arms  104  and  108 , and recesses defined therein, are configured to mate with, and securely retain the horizontal members  62  of the grid panel  56  within the recesses  110  and  112 , respectively. 
         [0041]    Turning next to  FIGS. 5 through 8 , installation of the grid wall bracket  54  onto the vertical support  70  is illustrated. First, the rear surface  82  of the grid wall bracket  54  is pivoted upward at an angle  120  away from or upwardly from the vertical support  70 , in a manner that permits the top projection  90  of the tab  88  to be inserted into a slot  74   a  of the vertical support  70 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0042]    The grid wall bracket  54  is then lowered or pivoted downward until the lower arcuate end  92  of the tab  88  is completely inserted into the slot  74   a . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the tab  88  is inserted into the slot  74   a  so that the vertical support  70  engages/interfits the notch  94  in the bracket  54  and the stabilization bar  96  is substantially completely inserted into a slot  74   b . It will be appreciated that the left-hand grid wall bracket  52  is installed onto the vertical support  68  in the manner described with respect to the right-hand bracket  54 . Once the brackets  52  and  54  are properly installed on the vertical supports, the grid panel  56  is placed onto the brackets  52  and  54  by lifting the grid panel  56  upwards, placing it between the vertical supports, and lowering it onto the brackets such that the ends of the horizontal members  62  of the grid panel  56  rest and are secured within the recesses of the brackets, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 8 . 
         [0043]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 A and  7 B, with the bracket  54  engaging the slot  74   a  as shown, the downwardly extending arcuate portion  92  and the upwardly extending top projection are sufficiently long enough to prevent the bracket  54  from being removed or slipping out of the slot  74   a  of the vertical support  70  when the grid panel  56  is installed thereon and sized to permit the system  50  to support loads encountered when the products are displayed on the system. As will be readily appreciated, the grid panel  56  is not mechanically fastened to the recesses of the brackets, and therefore is slidably, yet securely, received therein. Such configuration permits the grid panel  56  to be positionally adjusted, laterally slid or moved in either the left or right direction without requiring the use of tools, removal of hardware from the system, removal of the grid panel from the brackets and/or removal of the brackets from the vertical supports. The system  50  therefore permits easy installation, adjustment and removal of the grid wall from the brackets. 
         [0044]    It will be appreciated that the grid wall display system and grid hanging brackets of the present invention can be used to removably secure a grid wall, slat wall or other type of display wall to vertically mounted support structures, provided the grid or slat wall is provided, at least in part, with horizontal ends/members that can be supported therein. Further, the display systems and brackets of the present invention can be of any size required by the given application, and are not limited in dimension, as will be well known to those skilled in the art. In addition, how the vertical supports, and therefore, the grid wall system  50 , are secured to the retail space can vary according to how the retail space is configured. Further, the system  50  of the present invention can comprise one or a number of grid panels  56  supported between two or more vertical slotted support members depending upon overall dimension and fully loaded weight of the system and/or the needs of the retailer. 
         [0045]    In a conventional arrangement utilizing vertical slotted support members, a grid wall display system  150  of the present invention can be adapted for use with double slotted vertical support members  168  and  170 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . As illustrated, the brackets  152 ,  154  are adapted to include two tabs  188  and two stabilization bars  190 , spaced apart in a manner the permits the tabs and bars to engage adjacent slots of the vertical member.