Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to display apparatus; and, more particularly, to a rotary display for displaying a plurality of different periodicals or the like in a circular array. 
   2. Related Art 
   Many display devices are well known in the art. Some of these, such as the revolving bookcase in U.S. Pat. No. 256,600 to Schell, rotate to display books but cannot be used to display magazines wherein the covers of differing ones of the same can be displayed simultaneously. Other patents are similarly deficient. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,426,010 to Le Mer, there is disclosed a filing drum but magazines cannot be displayed in a circular array. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,334 to Smith, a merchandise display rack is shown but the flat circular discs would prevent display of magazines in a circular array. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,853, there is disclosed a storage rack for baby food containers but magazines could not be displayed in a circular array. 
   Many other prior art devices for displaying magazines or the like include bulky vertical racks wherein the covers of the magazines being displayed may not be visible. 
   Other prior art patents are similarly deficient. There is a need for a rotary display rack that can present the covers of a plurality of differing periodicals, such as magazines, in a circular array so that a viewer can see what magazine he or she would like to read and pick it out of the display. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of this invention to provide a rotary display for displaying periodicals, such as magazines, in a circular array. 
   It is still further an object of this invention to provide such a display having concentric circular areas for displaying a plurality of such periodicals. 
   It is a further object of this invention to provide such a display made of transparent plastic or open wire framework or a combination of both, for viewing the interior of the display. 
   These and other objects are preferably accomplished by providing a rotary display apparatus having a plurality of concentric circular areas in which a plurality of different magazines and other printed materials can be displayed in a circular array presenting the covers of the same to full view. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a display apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an elevational view of the apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the apparatus of  FIGS. 1  to  3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an elevational view of a third embodiment of the apparatus of  FIGS. 1  to  3 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a detailed view of the rotatable turntable alone of the invention; and 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing a plurality of periodicals displayed therein. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1  of the drawing, a display apparatus  1  is shown comprised of a plurality, such as  3 , of concentric cylindrical sections  10 ,  3  and  4 . Section  10  is the largest diameter outer section and may be comprised of a wire framework formed by circular wire elements  11  interconnected by spaced vertical wire elements  12 . The lowermost circular wire element  11  is connected, in any suitable manner, such as connectors  13 , to a generally flat planar circular base  2 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , the underside  14  of base  2  is coupled to a rotary device, such as a rotatable turntable  5  or glides or the like. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 1 , second cylindrical section  3 , of lesser diameter than section  10 , is spaced from section  10  and may be of opaque material of like and also secured to base  2  in any suitable manner. A third cylindrical section  4 , of lesser diameter than section  3 , is spaced from section  3  and may also be of opaque material. It is also secured to base  2  in any suitable manner. 
   As seen in  FIG. 2 , a plurality of circular concentric areas  15  to  17  are thus provided about apparatus  10 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , the sections  10 ,  3  and  4  are preferably of the same overall height so as to present a visually appealing appearance. However, the sections  10 ,  3  and  4  may be of differing heights if desired. 
   As seen in  FIG. 4 , a modification of the outer wall or section  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown. Thus, outer section  1   a  may be of a transparent plastic instead of being formed by a plurality of interconnected wire elements as in the embodiment of FIG.  1 . 
   If desired, a display card or the like may be provided on the apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 4 . This can be seen in  FIG. 5  wherein like numerals refer to like parts of  FIG. 1  In this embodiment, a socket  6  is secured at generally the midpoint of base  2  and a pole  7  extends upwardly therefrom. A display card  8  may be secured to the top of pole  7  to provide indicia associated with the apparatus (or may be provided with hooks or holes to insert fasteners to display cards, packages, etc.). 
   Any suitable means may be used to rotate the apparatuses of  FIGS. 1  to  4 . Rotatable turntable  5  is shown in detail in FIG.  6 . Thus, turntable  5  may include a circular ball bearing plate  18  mounted to the underside  14  of base  2  and secured to a base support  19 . Plate  18  is well known in the art and allows base  2  to rotate with respect to base support  19 . 
   The apparatus  1  of  FIG. 1  is shown in  FIG. 7  having a plurality of magazines and periodicals displayed therein. It is of course understood that the apparatus of  FIGS. 4 and 5  are used in like manner. 
   In any event, it can be seen in  FIG. 7  that a plurality of magazines  20  are displayed in a circular array within area  15  ( FIG. 2 ) and a plurality of other magazines which may be taller, or newspapers  21  (FIG.  7 ), are displayed in center area  17  (FIG.  2 ). Other magazines  20  ( FIG. 7 ) are displayed in a circular array within area  16  (FIG.  2 ). 
   It can be seen that there are disclosed multiple storage areas in a single apparatus for regularly sized magazines, taller magazines or newspapers, or other publications. The newspapers, magazines and other periodicals are organized neatly without sacrificing valuable space. The apparatuses of the invention can be used in a child&#39;s room, a living room, beauty parlors, barbershops, a doctor&#39;s office, etc. The titles and articles in magazines  20  are prominently displayed in a circular array. Colorful comic books and coloring books can be displayed in a like manner in a child&#39;s room, nursery, pediatric office, etc. 
   Although three areas  15  to  17  are disclosed, obviously two may be provided (area  16  may be eliminated). The wall  3  supports the backs of the magazines so they stand up. Although a wire framework is disclosed in  FIG. 1 , and a transparent outer wall in  FIG. 4 , obviously any suitable see-through means may be used, such as a perforated screen, wire mesh, etc. The middle cylinder  4  may be eliminated and if used, can hold other materials. 
   A plurality of devices, such as apparatus  1  in  FIG. 1 , may be stacked and vertically interconnected in any suitable manner. Any suitable materials may be used, such as plastic, metal, etc. The apparatuses of the invention may be of any suitable dimensions, such as 15½″ in overall diameter and 8½″ in overall height. 
   Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, variations thereof may occur to an artisan and the scope of the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 1