Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
     Display fixtures in a retail store organize and present products or merchandise to customers for purchase. Mattresses are one example of a type of product that can be presented in retail stores for purchase. It is desirable to display the mattresses in a manner that is uncluttered so that the focus of the customer is on the displayed mattresses and not on the display fixture. 
     SUMMARY 
     A mattress display fixture is described that supports a plurality of horizontally oriented mattresses in a vertically stacked arrangement on shelves, with the mattresses vertically spaced from one another, for display to customers. The construction of the display fixture is such that it adequately supports the mattresses, yet is of minimal construction to minimize its aesthetic intrusion on the mattresses so that the customer&#39;s focus is primarily on the mattresses and not on the display fixture. 
     In one embodiment, the shelves of the display fixture are cantilever supported, with each shelf being of sufficient size to accommodate a mattress thereon. Each shelf slopes downwardly from a front side to a rear side thereof such that the front side is disposed at a vertical height greater than the rear side. 
     In another embodiment, each shelf can be supported at first locations by first portions of first and second vertically extending support members and supported at second locations by second portions of the first and second vertically extending support members, where the second portions are positioned forwardly of the first portions. 
     The display fixture can include a pair of vertically extending support members or support means spaced apart from one another, with each of the support members including an upper end and a lower end, a plurality of cut-outs formed therein and vertically spaced from one another between the upper end and the lower end, and a plurality of horizontally extending support beams integrally formed therewith at positions forwardly of and spaced from the cut-outs. Each cut-out includes at least one of the support beams associated therewith. The vertically spaced shelves are removably attached to the vertical support members and cantilever supported therefrom so that the shelves extend forwardly from the vertical support members. Each shelf includes a rear side removably disposed within a respective one of the cut-outs and a front side opposite the rear side, and each shelf includes a portion that is located forwardly of the rear side that is supported on one of the support beams. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the mattress display fixture described herein. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the mattress display fixture of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a right side view of the mattress display fixture of  FIG. 1 . The left side view is identical to  FIG. 3  except for the elements  80 ,  82 . 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the mattress display fixture of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the mattress display fixture of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the mattress display fixture of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of one of the shelves of the mattress display fixture. 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of one of the vertically extending support members of the mattress display fixture. 
         FIG. 9  is an inner side view of the vertically extending support member of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of a portion of the vertically extending support member of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  is a close-up view of the portion of a support beam of the vertically extending support member contained in the circle A in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A mattress display fixture is described that supports a plurality of horizontally oriented mattresses in a vertically stacked arrangement on shelves, with the mattresses vertically spaced from one another, for display to customers. In one embodiment, the shelves of the display fixture can be cantilever supported, with each shelf being of sufficient size to accommodate a mattress thereon. In one embodiment, each shelf can slope downwardly from a front side to a rear side thereof such that the front side is disposed at a vertical height greater than the rear side. In addition, the shelves are configured to provide full support of the mattresses, yet allow the mattresses to be relatively easily pulled out of and slid into the shelves since the support surface formed by the shelves is not continuous thereby reducing friction between the mattresses and the shelves. 
     In an embodiment, the display fixture can include a pair of vertically extending support members or support means spaced apart from one another, with each of the support members including a plurality of cut-outs formed therein and a plurality of horizontally extending support beams at positions forwardly of and spaced from the cut-outs. The shelves are removably attached to the vertical support members and cantilever supported therefrom so that the shelves extend forwardly from the vertical support members. Each shelf includes a rear side removably disposed within a respective one of the cut-outs and a front side opposite the rear side, and each shelf includes a portion that is located forwardly of the rear side that is supported on one of the support beams. 
     An embodiment of the mattress display fixture  10  in an assembled state is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 . The fixture  10  includes first and second vertically extending support members or support means  12   a ,  12   b , and a plurality of shelves  14  detachably attached to the support members  12   a ,  12   b  and cantilever supported therefrom. The number of shelves  14  in the fixture  10  is arbitrary and can be any desired number. In the illustrated example, there are six shelves  14  although a larger or smaller number of shelves can be provided. 
     The shelves  14  are considered cantilever supported since each shelf  14  is fixed or anchored at only one side to the support members  12   a ,  12   b , and except for the support members  12   a ,  12   b , there is no other structure that supports the shelves  14 . The shelves are supported only at or adjacent to their rear or back sides, with at least the forward half of each shelf unsupported by support structure. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , which is a side view of the fixture  10 , each shelf  14  is of sufficient size to accommodate a mattress  16  thereon (only two mattresses  16  are depicted in dashed lines in  FIG. 3 ). The mattresses  16  can be any size such as king, queen, full, twin or the like, and can have any desired construction. In addition, the term “mattress” as used herein is intended to encompass box springs. 
     The shelves  14  are vertically spaced apart from each other a sufficient distance to accommodate the thickness of each mattress  16 , and the shelves  14  extend forwardly from the support members  12   a ,  12   b . In one embodiment, the shelves  14  are vertically spaced apart from each other by a first, fixed vertical distance D, measured from a front side of one shelf  14  to the front side of another shelf  14  as depicted in  FIG. 3 , which is greater than the thickness of the mattresses  16  to be supported. In one embodiment, the distance D is constant from the front side of the shelves  14  to a rear side of the shelves  14 . The distance D can vary based on the mattress thickness. In addition, the distance D need not be the same for each shelf  14  of the fixture  10 . Instead, within the fixture  10 , the distance D can vary between the shelves  14  if the fixture supports mattresses  16  having different thicknesses. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , each shelf  14  is supported on the fixture  10  to slope downwardly at an angle α measured from a horizontal axis from a front (or second) side  18  thereof to a rear (or first) side  20  (seen in  FIGS. 1 and 7 ) thereof such that the front side  18  is disposed at a vertical height greater than the rear side  20 . The downward slope of the shelves  14  helps to retain the mattresses  16  on the shelves  14 . The specific slope angle α is not critical as long as a downward slope is provided to help retain the mattresses  16  on the shelves  14 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the support members  12   a ,  12   b  are spaced apart from one another by a fixed horizontal, straight-line distance L measured from the outer surface of each support member  12   a ,  12   b . The support members  12   a ,  12   b  can be kept spaced apart from each other by one or more spacer members  21  ( FIGS. 1 and 4 ) that extend between and are fixed to the support members  12   a ,  12   b . In addition, in the top view of  FIG. 5 , a straight-line distance measured between the front side and the rear side of the shelves is X; i.e. in other words, each shelf  14  extends forwardly approximately the distance X. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the distance L is greater than the distance X, and the mattresses  16  are oriented on the shelves  14  such that the longer side of each mattress  16  is parallel to the distance L, and the shorter side of each mattress  16  is parallel to the distance X. However, the display fixture can be constructed such that the distance X is greater than the distance L, and the mattresses  16  can be oriented such that the longer side of each mattress  16  is parallel to the distance X, and the shorter side of each mattress  16  is parallel to the distance L. In other embodiments, for example for substantially square mattresses  16 , the distance L can be approximately equal to the distance X. As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , in one embodiment the distance X can be such that the front edges of the mattresses  16  do not, or only minimally, extend beyond the front sides  18  of the shelves  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6  together with  FIG. 7  which is a perspective view of one of the shelves removed from the support members  12   a ,  12   b , each shelf  14  is configured to provide full support of the mattress  16  disposed thereon, yet is formed as a discontinuous structure to reduce friction between the mattress  16  and the shelf  14  to allow the mattress  16  to be relatively easily pulled out of and slid onto the shelf  14 . 
     In the illustrated example, each shelf  14  includes first and second L-shaped members  22   a ,  22   b  that are spaced apart from one another by approximately the distance L. The L-shaped members  22   a ,  22   b  are identical in construction to each other, with each L-shaped member  22   a ,  22   b  including a substantially solid and continuous horizontal leg portion  24  and a substantially solid and continuous vertical base portion  26 . The L-shaped members  22   a ,  22   b  are oriented relative to each other so that the leg portions  24  extend toward one another with the base portions  26  extending vertically upward. In this orientation, the leg portions  24  are positioned to support opposite lower sides of the mattress  16  while the base portions  26  limit side-to-side movements of the mattress  16  when disposed on the shelf  14 . The base portions  26  may also act as guides when loading a mattress onto the shelf  14 . 
     Each shelf  14  further includes a plurality of spacers that are fixed to the L-shaped members  22   a ,  22   b  to space the L-shaped members  22   a ,  22   b  from one another and that support an intermediate portion of the mattress  14 . In the illustrated example, the spacers include a rear spacer  28 , a front spacer  30 , and an intermediate spacer  32  between the rear spacer  28  and the front spacer  30 . Although each shelf  14  is illustrated and described as having three spacers  28 ,  30 ,  32 , a larger or smaller number of spacers can be used. 
     The spacers  28 ,  30 ,  32  are fixed at their ends to and extend between flanges  34  that extend vertically downward from the leg portions  24  of the L-shaped members  22   a ,  22   b . As evident from  FIG. 7 , the rear spacer  28 , the front spacer  30 , and the intermediate spacer  32  are parallel to one another, and spaced from one another with gaps or spaces  35  therebetween to form a discontinuous support surface. The spacers  28 ,  30 ,  32  also extend parallel to the spacer members  21 . In addition, an upper surface  36  of each spacer is approximately flush with upper surfaces  38  of the leg portions  24  which form continuous support surfaces. In the illustrated example, the spacers  28 ,  30 ,  32  are generally cylindrical rods. However, the spacers  28 ,  30 ,  32  can have any shape and construction that permits the spacers  28 ,  30 ,  32  to perform their functions. 
     This construction of the shelves  14  provides for full support of the mattresses  16 , with the upper surfaces  38  of the leg portions  24  supporting end edges of the mattresses and the upper surfaces  36  of the spacers  28 ,  30 ,  32  supporting the intermediate portions of the mattresses  16 . However, since the intermediate portions of the mattresses are supported only by the upper surfaces  36  of the spacers  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and are not supported in the gaps  35  between the spacers  28 ,  30 ,  32 , there is reduced friction between the mattresses  16  and the shelves  14  which allows the mattresses  16  to be relatively easily pulled out of and slid onto the shelves  14 . Further, since the upper surfaces  36  of the spacers  28 ,  30 ,  32  are substantially flush with the upper surfaces  38  of the leg portions, the mattresses are supported on a generally smooth support surface. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-11  together with  FIGS. 1-6 , the vertically extending support members  12   a ,  12   b  are identical in construction. In the illustrated example, each support member  12   a ,  12   b  is formed as an integral, single-piece, unitary construction. 
     As discussed in further detail below, each support member  12   a ,  12   b  defines a pair of support structures that support each shelf  14 , including a plurality of rear support structures and a plurality of forward support structures located forwardly of the rear support structures. Each of the rear support structures is configured to removably receive therein a rear portion of one of the shelves  14 , and each of the forward support structures is configured to removably support thereon an intermediate portion of one of the shelves. With this construction, each shelf  14  is supported at two spaced locations by each of the support members  12   a ,  12   b . The support members  12   a ,  12   b  can have any construction that provides the two separate support locations. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8-11 , each of the support members  12   a ,  12   b  includes a rear panel  40 , a front panel  42 , an interior side panel  44 , and an exterior side panel  46 . The rear panel  40  forms a rearward surface of the support member  12   a ,  12   b  and is disposed in a plane that is generally parallel to the spacer members  21  and parallel to the axes of the spacers  28 ,  30 ,  32 . In the illustrated example, the rear panel  40  is substantially rectangular with few or no apertures or cut-outs formed therein. However, as seen in  FIG. 8 , the rear panel  40  includes mounting apertures  47  that are used to secure the ends of the spacer members  21  to the rear panels  40  using fasteners such as bolts, screws, rivets or the like (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 8-11 , the front panel  42  is spaced from the rear panel  40  and extends parallel thereto. The front panel  42  is a partial panel and includes a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal support beams  50  that extend generally parallel to the plane of the rear panel  40  and each of which supports a corresponding one of the shelves  14 . Each support beam  50  includes a connected end  51  and a free or unconnected end  53 , an upper surface  55  on which bottom surfaces of the leg portions  24  of the shelves  14  rest to support the shelves  14 , and a lower surface  57  opposite to the upper surface  55 . The support beams  50  form a plurality of forward support structures that support intermediate portions of the shelves  14  forwardly of rear portions of the shelves  14  that are supported by a different portion of the support members  12   a ,  12   b.    
     As best seen in  FIG. 10 , the front panel  42  including the support beams  50  has a length L fp  extending from the exterior side panel  46  that is approximately equal to the length L rp  of the rear panel  40  so that the ends  53  of the support beams  50  are generally flush with and generally do not extend beyond the plane of the interior side panel  44 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the interior side panel  44  extends forwardly from the rear panel  40  generally parallel to the exterior side panel  46 . The interior side panel  44  extends toward the free ends  53  of the support beams  50  to a front edge  59  thereof. The front edge  59  is spaced from the ends  53  of the beams  50  to define a gap  63  therebetween. 
     The interior side panel  44  is a partial wall that includes a plurality of vertically spaced, L-shaped cut-outs  52 , each of which removably receives therein the rear spacer  28  of the first side  20  of one of the shelves  14 . Each cut-out  52  includes a generally horizontal portion  64  that opens through the front edge  59  of the interior side panel  44  and a generally vertical portion  66  extending upwardly from the horizontal portion  64 . The horizontal portion  64  and the vertical portion  66  of each of the cut-outs  52  form a generally L-shape. The cutouts  52  form a plurality of rear support structures that are configured to removably receive therein rear portions, such as the rear spacers  28 , of the shelves  14 . 
     In one embodiment, the number of the support beams  50  equals the number of the L-shaped cut-outs  52  which in turn equals the number of the shelves  14 , and each one of the support beams  50  is associated with a corresponding one of the L-shaped cut-outs  52 . In the illustrated embodiment, there are six shelves  14 , and six of the support beams  50  and six of the cut-outs  52  on each support member  12   a ,  12   b . However, a larger or smaller number of shelves  14  can be used. The support beams  50  are spaced forwardly of the cut-outs  52  by a distance that is approximately equal to the gap  63 , or by a distance that is slightly less than the length of the exterior side panel  46 . 
     The exterior side panel  46  extends between and is connected to the rear panel  40  and the front panel  42 , and is parallel to the interior side panel  44 . The panel  46  is substantially rectangular with few or no apertures or cut-outs formed therein and forms an L-shape with the rear panel  40 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 11 , the free end  53  of each support beam  50  is formed with an upwardly facing slot  70  and a shoulder  72 . In use, as discussed further below, the leg portions  24  of the shelves  14  rest on and are supported by the upper surfaces  55  of the support beams  50 , with the flanges  34  of the shelves fitting within the slots  70  of the support beams  50  so that the flanges  34  are disposed adjacent to the shoulders  72 . The flanges  34  fitting within the slots  70 , together with the shoulders  72 , help to prevent side-to-side shifting of the shelves  14  on the support beams  50 . 
     With the construction described above, each of the support members  12   a ,  12   b  forms a generally rectangular shape defining an open interior space and that is open at its interior side due to the gap  63  because the interior side panel  44  does not extend all the way to the front panel  42 . 
     In addition, as best seen in  FIGS. 1, 8 and 9 , a support arm  60  is connected to a floor engaging base end  61  of each of the support members  12   a ,  12   b . Each support arm  60  extends forwardly from the support members  12   a ,  12   b , and each support arm  60  has a length that is approximately equal to the length of each shelf  14  measured between the first side  18  and the second side  20 , or approximately equal to the distance X (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     The support arms  60  are configured to engage the floor to help support the display fixture  10  on the floor and help stabilize the fixture  10  together with the floor engaging ends  61  of the support members  12   a ,  12   b . In the illustrated example, the support arms  60  include a front end plate  62  (see  FIGS. 1, 8 and 9 ) that contacts the floor along with the ends  61  of the support members  12   a ,  12   b  to stabilize the fixture  10  during use. In addition, the support arms  60  extend through the lowermost support beam  50  of each support member  12   a ,  12   b  and are suitably fixed to the support members  12   a ,  12   b  for example by welding or using mechanical fasteners. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 and 5 , an optional sign support  80  is fixed to outside surfaces of a plurality of the base portions  26  of one of the L-shaped members  22   a ,  22   b  of the shelves  14  adjacent to the front side of the shelves. For example, as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the sign support  80  can be fixed to the right side L-shaped member  22   a  when facing the display fixture  10 . The sign support  80  can also be installed on the left side of the fixture as well in a similar manner. The sign support  80  comprises a rod or bar that extends generally vertically and is suitably fixed to the shelves  14 , and a forwardly facing surface  82  connected to the sign support  80  on which promotional material for the mattresses  16 , for example brand information, prices, and the like, can be positioned for easy viewing. 
     Use of the mattress display fixture  10  is as follows. The two support members  12   a ,  12   b  are stood on a floor or other support surface by arranging the floor engaging ends  61  and the support arms  60  thereof on the floor, with the interior side panels  44  of the support member  12   a ,  12   b  facing each other. The support members  12   a ,  12   b  are spaced from each other using the spacer member(s)  21 . The shelves  14  are then installed by angling each shelf slightly upward and sliding the rear spacer  28  of each shelf  14  into the horizontal portion  64  of the cut-out  52 . The shelf  14  is then rotated downward so that the rear spacer  28  moves upwardly into the vertical portion  66  of the cut-out  52  to a locked position. At the same time, the bottom surfaces of the leg portions  24  of the shelves  14  come to rest on top of and are supported by the upper surfaces  55  of the support beams  50 , with the flanges  34  fitting within the slots  70  of the support beams. 
     When the shelves  14  are mounted in position, the rear spacer  28  of each shelf  14  is removably disposed within one of the cut-outs  52  in each of the support members  12   a ,  12   b  at the same vertical height. In addition, the lower surface of the leg portion  24  of the L-shaped member  22   a  is supported on the upper surface  55  of the support beam  50  of the support member  12   a  at that vertical height, and the lower surface of the leg portion  24  of the L-shaped member  22   b  is supported on the upper surface  55  of the support beam  50  of the support member  12   b  at that vertical height. In addition, as best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the rear end of each leg portion  24  of the L-shaped members  22   a ,  22   b  is disposed within the open interior space of the support members  12   a ,  12   b , with the leg portions  24  fitting between the exterior side panel  46  and the interior side panel  44 . 
     Optionally, the shelves  14  can be further secured to the support members  12   a ,  12   b  using mechanical fasteners or welding. 
     Once the display fixture  10  is assembled, a mattress  16  can then be disposed on each shelf  14 . 
     Once the shelves  14  are installed, the rear spacer  28  of each shelf is detachably attached to a first portion (i.e. the interior side panel  44 ) of each of the support members  12   a ,  12   b . In addition, the leg portions  24  of the L-shaped members  22   a  are supported on a second portion (i.e. the upper surfaces  55  of the support beams  50 ) of the support member  12   a , and the leg portions  24  of the other L-shaped members  22   b  are supported on a second portion (i.e. the upper surfaces  55  of the support beams  50 ) of the support member  12   b . The second portions (i.e. the upper surfaces  55  of the support beams  50 ) are positioned forwardly of the first portions (i.e. the interior side panel  44 ). 
     With the described construction, each shelf  14  is not directly supported by the support members  12   a ,  12   b  (or by any structure connected to the support members) forwardly of the support beams  50 . The language “not directly supported” means that there is no structure that is directly attached to the shelf  14  forwardly of the support beams  50  that supports the shelf  14  in its operative or in-use position. Another of way of expressing this feature is that each shelf  14  is free of direct support forwardly of the support beams  50 . For example, the support arms  60  may be considered as supporting each shelf  14 . However, the support arms  60  are not directly attached to or in any way directly supporting any of the shelves  14  forwardly of the support beams  50 . Therefore, each shelf  14  is not directly supported by, and is free of direct support from, the support arms  60  forwardly of the support beams  50 . 
     The components of the display fixture  10  can be made of any material(s) that provide sufficient strength to perform the support and display functions of the fixture  10 . Examples of suitable materials include plastics and metals such as steel and aluminum. 
     The described embodiment(s) may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or novel characteristics thereof. The embodiments disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limitative. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Technology Category: 1