PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-12201227-B2
Application Number: US-202217805359-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Product display stand with reduced movement

Abstract:
A product display stand for reducing displayed product movement can be used in a retail environment to reduce movement of a product displayed by the product display stand. Such product display stand includes a damping assembly configured to attach to a display platform. The damping assembly includes a housing configured to attach to the display platform. The housing defines a damping chamber. The assembly also includes within the chamber a damping flange and damping material. The product display stand also includes a display post fixed to the damping flange. The display post extends above the display platform and to retain and display a product.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A product display stand for reducing displayed product movement, the product display stand comprising:
 a damping assembly configured to directly attach to a first side of a display platform, the damping assembly comprising:
 a damping assembly housing configured to attach to the display platform, the damping assembly housing defining a damping chamber; 
 a damping flange disposed within the damping chamber; and 
 damping material disposed between the damping flange and walls of the damping chamber; and 
 
 a display post fixed to the damping flange, the display post extending from the damping flange to outside of the damping chamber, the display post configured to extend through the display platform and away from a second side of the display platform opposite the first side, and to retain and display a product. 
 
     
     
       2. The product display stand of  claim 1 , wherein the damping material comprises an upper damping material unit and a lower damping material unit,
 wherein the lower damping material unit rests on a lower wall of the damping chamber, 
 wherein the damping flange rests on the lower damping material unit, and 
 wherein the upper damping material unit is positioned at an opposite side of the damping flange as is the lower damping material unit. 
 
     
     
       3. The product display stand of  claim 2 , wherein the damping material is foam. 
     
     
       4. The product display stand of  claim 1 , wherein the damping chamber has a height, and wherein the damping flange and the damping material together have a height equal to the damping chamber height. 
     
     
       5. The product display stand of  claim 1 , wherein the damping chamber has a height, and wherein the damping flange and the damping material together have a height greater than the damping chamber height in an unloaded configuration. 
     
     
       6. The product display stand of  claim 1 , wherein the damping material is resilient, and is more compressible than the damping flange. 
     
     
       7. The product display stand of  claim 1 , wherein the display post is fixed to the damping flange at a center of the damping flange. 
     
     
       8. The product display stand of  claim 1 , wherein the display post is removably fixed to the damping flange. 
     
     
       9. The product display stand of  claim 1 , wherein in response to a force applied to the display post, the damping flange is configured to compress a first portion of the damping material disposed between the damping flange and a lower wall of the damping assembly housing, and to compress a second portion of the damping material disposed between the damping flange and the display platform,
 wherein the first portion of the damping material and the second portion of the damping material are disposed opposite each other about the display post. 
 
     
     
       10. The product display stand of  claim 1 , wherein the damping material is compressed in a stationary configuration. 
     
     
       11. The product display stand of  claim 1 , wherein the damping flange comprises damping feet protruding therefrom, the damping feet compressing the damping material to a greater extent than other areas of the damping flange compress the damping material. 
     
     
       12. A product display stand for reducing displayed product movement, the product display stand comprising:
 a damping assembly configured to attach to a display platform, the damping assembly comprising:
 a damping assembly housing configured to attach to the display platform, the damping assembly housing defining a damping chamber; 
 a damping flange disposed within the damping chamber; and 
 damping material disposed between the damping flange and walls of the damping chamber; and 
 
 a display post fixed to the damping flange, the display post extending from the damping flange to outside of the damping chamber, the display post configured to extend to an opposite side of the display platform and to retain and display a product, 
 wherein a lower wall of the damping assembly housing defines an opening therethrough, 
 wherein the damping flange has a diameter larger than a diameter of the opening, and 
 wherein a portion of the damping material is disposed between the flange and the lower wall around the opening. 
 
     
     
       13. The product display stand of  claim 12 , wherein the damping flange comprises a protruding portion extending through the opening. 
     
     
       14. The product display stand of  claim 12 , wherein a lower end of the display post is accessible through the opening. 
     
     
       15. The product display stand of  claim 12 , wherein the display post comprises an attachment member, and wherein the attachment member is received in and couples to a portion of the damping flange protruding through the opening. 
     
     
       16. A product display system for reducing product oscillation, the product display system comprising:
 a retail display fixture comprising a display platform defining an opening therethrough, the retail display fixture configured to support displayed products disposed on or above the display platform; and 
 a display stand comprising:
 a damping assembly attached to an underside of the display platform at the opening; and 
 a display post extending from the damping assembly through the display platform to a position above the display platform, the display post configured to retain a displayed item above the display platform, 
 
 wherein the damping assembly absorbs forces applied to the display post to diminish movement of the display post by transmitting the forces to foam within the damping assembly through compression of the foam. 
 
     
     
       17. The product display system of  claim 16 , wherein as the display post oscillates due to forces applied to the display post, a damping flange of the damping assembly tilts back and forth to transmit the forces to the foam and thereby diminish the oscillation of the display post. 
     
     
       18. The product display system of  claim 16 , wherein the display post is rigidly coupled to a damping flange contained within a damping chamber of the damping assembly, and
 wherein the damping flange is held within the damping chamber by a housing of the damping assembly, and is not directly attached to the display platform. 
 
     
     
       19. The product display system of  claim 16 , wherein the damping assembly is not visible from above the display platform. 
     
     
       20. The product display system of  claim 16 , wherein the display post is at least 50 times longer than a diameter of the display post. 
     
     
       21. The product display system of  claim 16 , wherein the display post is at least 100 times longer than a diameter of the display post. 
     
     
       22. The product display system of  claim 16 , wherein the retail display fixture comprises a plurality of openings therethrough, and
 wherein the product display system comprises a plurality of the display stands, the display post of each display stand extending through one of the openings. 
 
     
     
       23. A method for reducing movement of a product displayed on a display stand, the method comprising:
 in response to a force applied to the product, transferring the force through a display post to a damping chamber disposed below a display platform; 
 absorbing the force by compressing resilient damping material within the damping chamber using movement of a structure disposed within the damping chamber and fixed to the display post, wherein the resilient damping material comprises a first damping material and a second damping material, wherein the second damping material has a different damping characteristic from the first damping material; and 
 repeating the absorbing step until the product is still, 
 wherein the first damping material and the second damping material are disposed on the same lateral side of the structure relative to the display post. 
 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 23 , wherein each repeating step alternates a position at which the resilient damping material is compressed. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 23 , wherein the damping material is compressed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the force applied to the product. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 23 , wherein the first absorbing step comprises compressing a first portion of the damping material and simultaneously compressing a second portion of the damping material, wherein the second portion of the damping material is compressed in a direction parallel to and opposite of the direction in which the first portion of the damping material is compressed,
 wherein the second absorbing step comprises compressing a third portion of the damping material and simultaneously compressing a fourth portion of the damping material, wherein the fourth portion of the damping material is compressed in a direction parallel to and opposite of the direction in which the third portion of the damping material is compressed, and 
 wherein the structure is a damping flange, and wherein the first and third portions of the damping material are disposed on opposite sides of the damping flange from the second and fourth portions of the damping material. 
 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 23 , wherein the characteristic is at least one of a damping coefficient, a rebound control rate, and a resiliency.

Description:
FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to product display stands. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to product display stands used in a retail environment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Product display stands are used in retail environments, such as retail stores, or at functions displaying products for viewing by potential customers. Such display stands may hold the product above a display surface to allow for a better view of the product, or to keep the display surface free and available for other purposes. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some embodiments, a product display stand for reducing displayed product movement includes a damping assembly configured to attach to a display platform. The damping assembly includes a damping assembly housing configured to attach to the display platform, the damping assembly housing defining a damping chamber; a damping flange disposed within the damping chamber; and damping material disposed between the damping flange and walls of the damping chamber. The product display stand also includes a display post fixed to the damping flange, the display post extending from the damping flange to outside of the damping chamber, the display post configured to extend to an opposite side of the display platform and to retain and display a product. 
     In some embodiments, a product display system for reducing product oscillation includes a display platform defining an opening therethrough, and a display stand. The display stand includes a damping assembly disposed below a display platform at the opening, and a display post extending from the damping assembly through the display platform to a position above the display platform, the display post configured to retain a displayed item above the display platform. The damping assembly absorbs forces applied to the display post to diminish movement of the display post by transmitting the forces to foam within the damping assembly through compression of the foam. 
     In some embodiments a method for reducing movement of a product displayed on a display stand includes, in response to a force applied to the product, transferring the force through a display post to a damping chamber disposed below a display platform; absorbing the force by compressing resilient damping material within the damping chamber using movement of a structure disposed within the damping chamber and fixed to the display post; and repeating the absorbing step until the product is still. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  show a schematic view of a product display stand with oscillation of a displayed product. 
         FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  show a schematic view of a product display stand with reduced oscillation of a displayed product. 
         FIG.  3    show a display fixture in a retail environment having several product display stands. 
         FIG.  4    shows a schematic sectional view of a display stand system for reducing movement of a displayed product. 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 D  show the display stand system of  FIG.  4    operating to reduce movement of a displayed product. 
         FIG.  6 A  shows a detailed sectional view of a display stand system for reducing movement of a displayed product. 
         FIG.  6 B  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG.  6 A . 
         FIG.  6 C  shows perspective view of a portion of  FIG.  6 B . 
         FIG.  7 A  shows a detailed sectional view of the display stand system of  FIG.  6 A  in motion. 
         FIG.  7 B  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG.  7 A   
         FIGS.  8 A- 8 D and  9 A- 9 D  show arrangements for damping material within a damping assembly of the display stand system. 
         FIG.  10    shows a schematic sectional view of a display stand system including damping feet. 
         FIGS.  11 A and  11 B  show arrangements for the damping feet. 
         FIGS.  12 A- 12 E  show arrangements for adhesives between components of the damping assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     The following disclosure relates to a product display stand that reduces undesired movement, such as oscillation, in the product being displayed. Some stands have long shafts or display posts that support a product vertically above a display platform, like a display fixture in a retail setting for example. If the displayed product experiences a force applied by, for example, a customer pushing the product or bumping the display platform, the display post may flex from side to side, oscillating until the force is dissipated. Such oscillation can be of greater magnitude, and last longer, for heavy products (e.g., a laptop or tablet computer) displayed on long, thin posts. 
     Such oscillation may be undesirable, because it can interfere with an observer clearly viewing the product, and may make the stand appear less sturdy. It can also put more wear and tear on the stand, reducing its useful life. 
     In some display stand embodiments discussed herein, oscillation of a product displayed on a display post is reduced by a damping assembly, which can be a part of the display stand hidden below a display platform, and so out of sight to an observer viewing the displayed product. The display post may extend through a hole in the display platform, for example, into a damping chamber of the damping assembly. The damping chamber may contain damping material, such as resilient foam, for example. And the display post may be fixed to a damping flange also positioned within the damping chamber. When the display post moves (e.g., because of a force applied to the displayed product), the flange will also move, compressing the damping material, which absorbs some of the force, thus diminishing the motion of the damping flange, the post, and the displayed product. This makes the displayed product return to a stationary position much faster and with less movement than it would otherwise. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to the accompanying figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG.  1 A  shows a display stand system  10  including a display stand post  20  fixed to a display platform  30  supporting a displayed product  50 . A force  60  is shown applied to displayed product  50 . Force  60  may be applied, for example, directly (e.g., by a customer touching or pushing displayed product  50 ) or indirectly (e.g., by a customer bumping a display fixture of which display platform  30  is a part). Force  60  causes movement in displayed product  50  and display stand post  20 , as shown in  FIG.  1 B .  FIG.  1 B  illustrates the oscillation that displayed product  50  and display stand post  20  undergo as a result of force  60 . Such oscillation will occur back and forth until the applied force is dissipated, at which point displayed product  50  will return to a stationary position (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  1 A ). Such oscillation can have a high magnitude (i.e., maximum horizontal distance moved), and can take a long time and many oscillations to return to a stationary position. 
     The magnitude and time of oscillation can be greater for a heavier displayed product  50 . As it moves farther from a vertical position of display stand post  20  (e.g., from display stand post  20  flexing, tilting, or both flexing and tilting) the weight of displayed product  50  can apply torque to display stand post  20 , exacerbating its oscillation. 
       FIG.  2 A  shows a display stand system  100  including a display stand post  200  extending above a display platform  300 . Display stand post  200  is coupled to a damping assembly  400  of display stand system  100  according to some embodiments. Display stand post  200  supports a displayed product  500 . Force  600  may be applied to displayed product  500  in the same manner as described above for force  60 . As with display stand system  10 , force  600  causes movement in displayed product  500  and display stand post  200 , as shown in  FIG.  2 B . However, damping assembly  400  reduces the oscillation that displayed product  500  and display stand post  200  undergo as a result of force  60 . Such oscillation will stop and the applied force will be dissipated through damping assembly  400  much more quickly than in display stand system  10 . Thus, relative to display stand system  10  without a damping assembly, such oscillation of displayed product  500  has a lower magnitude and takes a shorter time and fewer oscillations to return to a stationary position (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  2 A ). 
       FIG.  3    shows a display fixture  310  forming display platform  300 , with several display stand systems  100  displaying products  500  above display platform  300 . As can be appreciated in  FIG.  3   , such long, thin display stand posts  200  provide a clean, elegant way to display products. They also leave display platform  300  free for other uses. Products  500  displayed on such long, thin display stand posts  200 —especially heavy products—however could oscillate in the manner described above, which could give an undesirable appearance of motion or instability. A damping assembly  400  as described herein reduces such oscillation and returns product  500  to a stationary position faster and with less oscillation than would occur otherwise. Such benefits as described are not limited only to long, thin posts, but are in some implementations particularly evident in this context. 
       FIG.  4    shows a schematic view with more detail of display stand system  100 . As shown, display stand system  100  includes a display stand including display post  200  and damping assembly  400 . In the illustrated embodiment, display stand system  100  also includes display platform  300 . Display stand system  100  may also include displayed product  500 . 
     Damping assembly  400  may be coupled to display platform  300 . For example, as shown, damping assembly  400  may be attached to an underside of display platform  300 , opposite the side of display platform  300  above which displayed product  500  is displayed. Display post  200  may extend from damping assembly  400  through an opening  302  of display platform  300 , to an opposite side of display platform  300  as the side at which damping assembly  400  is coupled. Opening  302  may be slightly larger (e.g., have a greater diameter) than display post  200  to allow for movement of display post  200 . In this configuration damping assembly  400  is not visible from above display platform  300 , thereby effecting its damping without affecting the displayed appearance of display stand system  100 . 
     Damping assembly  400  may be removably coupled to display platform  300  (e.g., using bolts, screws, or other removable fastener) or it may be permanently affixed to display platform  300  (e.g., using a permanent adhesive or other permanent fastening technique). 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , damping assembly  400  includes a damping assembly housing  410  forming a damping chamber  420 . Damping chamber  420  houses damping material  430  and a damping flange  440 . 
     Damping assembly  400  may be coupled to display platform  300  via a connection between damping assembly housing  410  and display platform  300 . Damping chamber  420  within damping assembly housing  410  may be defined by a bottom surface  422 , a top surface  424 , and one or more side surfaces  426 . As shown, bottom surface  422  is formed by bottom wall  412  of damping assembly housing  410 , top surface  424  is formed by display platform  300 , and side surface  426  is formed by side wall  416  of damping assembly housing  410 . Additionally or alternatively, other structure may define damping chamber  420 . For example, damping assembly  400  may have an upper wall that forms top surface  424 , or there may be intermediate elements between damping assembly housing  410  and/or display platform  300  and damping chamber  420  that define damping chamber  420 . In some embodiments, damping chamber  420  is closed, as shown in  FIG.  4   . In other embodiments damping chamber may be more open, for example without side surfaces, and/or with openings through its surfaces. 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , damping flange  440  is positioned vertically between solid damping material units  430 . In other words, in a height direction (e.g., the direction in which product display post extends), a first damping material unit  430 A (e.g., an upper damping material unit) is disposed below and in contact with damping flange  440 , and a second damping flange is disposed above and in contact with damping flange  440 . Display stand system  100  is shown as a schematic section view in  FIG.  4   . 
     Display stand system  100  may have rotational symmetry about product display post  200 , such that the portions of a second damping material unit  430 B (e.g., a lower damping material unit) are portions of the same continuous damping material unit, having an annular shape in plan view. Likewise, first damping material unit  430 A may have a circular or annular shape in plan view, and flange  440  may have a circular shape in plan view. Such circular shapes can allow damping assembly  400  to dampen oscillation in any direction. However, other shapes may be used for various reasons, including to tailor the degree or direction of oscillation while damping. 
     Damping material  430  may be a compressible, resilient material. In some embodiments, damping material  430  is a solid, resilient foam (e.g., EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) foam, PEVA (poly-ethylene-vinyl acetate) foam) or foam-like material (e.g., synthetic rubber such as neoprene). 
     In some embodiments, damping material  430  is more compressible and flexible than the material from which damping flange  440  is formed. Damping flange  440  is rigid and inflexible. 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , damping flange  440  is sandwiched between damping material units  430 , which hold damping flange  440  in place within damping chamber  420 . In some embodiments, damping flange  440  is not directly attached to display platform  300 , but is only indirectly attached through its retention within damping chamber  420 . In some embodiments, damping flange  440  is not coupled to damping assembly  400  except through contact with damping material  430 . This can help isolate movement of damping flange  440  from display platform  300  for more effective absorption of energy by damping material  430 . 
     Damping flange  440  extends horizontally in a width direction between damping material units  430 . Product display post  200  is fixed to damping flange  440 . In some embodiments, a connection  442  between damping flange  440  and product display post  200  does not allow for relative motion between damping flange  440  and product display post  200  at connection  442  in normal use (i.e., connection  442  is a rigid connection). For example, in some embodiments damping flange  440  is fixed to product display post  200  by a reversible mechanical connection such as a bolt or collet mechanism. Alternatively, in some embodiments damping flange  440  is permanently coupled to product display post  200  (e.g., by welding), and in some embodiments damping flange  440  is unitary with product display post  200 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5 A , due to connection  442  between product display post  200  and damping flange  440 , a motion (e.g., a horizontal motion) of displayed product  500  oscillating above display platform  300  (e.g., due to a force  600  applied to displayed product  500  or product display post  200 ) will cause a tendency toward corresponding perpendicular motion (e.g., vertical motion) at ends of damping flange  440 , shown in  FIG.  5 B . As shown in  FIG.  5 B , motion of displayed product  500  in a first horizontal direction (left in  FIG.  5 B ) causes corresponding vertical motion of the ends of damping flange  440  (upward motion  443 A of the right side of damping flange  440  and downward motion  443 B of the left side of damping flange  440 ). But because damping material  430  sandwiches damping flange  440  within damping chamber  420 , such vertical motion serves to compress damping material  430 , thereby absorbing some of the force caused by the oscillation of displayed product  500 , thereby counteracting and diminishing the oscillation (e.g., in terms of amplitude and time). 
     The longer and thinner that product display post  200  is for a given weight of displayed product  500 , the greater the potential magnitude and duration of motion of displayed product  500 , and thus the greater impact and effect that damping assembly  400  can have to reduce such motion. In some embodiments, product display post  200  is at least 50 times longer than an average diameter of display post (e.g., at least 100 times longer). 
     As displayed product  500  reaches the maximum extent of its motion in one direction, it may spring back in a second horizontal direction (right in  FIG.  5 B ) opposite of the first horizontal direction. This may be due in part to energy and flexibility remaining in displayed product  500 , product display post  200 , and damping flange  440 . As damping material  430  compresses it reaches a maximum compression from flange  440  and pushes back  436  against flange  440  until flange  440  stops pressing against damping material  430  and begins moving in an opposing direction. In continuing its oscillation in this way (e.g., due to resiliency of display post  200 ), displayed product  500  may overshoot its stationary position (e.g., centered over post  200 ) and move toward a maximum extent of motion in the opposing direction (see  FIG.  5 C ). Due to the absorption of force by damping material  430  described with reference to  FIG.  5 B , the maximum extent of motion in the second horizontal direction (shown in  FIG.  5 C ) is diminished relative to the maximum extent of motion in the first horizontal direction (shown in  FIG.  5 B ). This is represented by the decrease in an angle θ of deviation from a stationary position. 
     Damping flange  440  and damping material  430  may operate similarly in response to the horizontal motion of displayed product  500  in the second horizontal direction as described above for the first horizontal direction, just compressing damping material  430  on opposing sides, as shown in  FIG.  5 C . This process may repeat back and forth, diminishing oscillation of product  500  each time until product  500  (and the rest of product display system  100 ) are stationary as shown in  FIG.  5 D . 
     Put another way, display stand system  100  provides a method for reducing movement of displayed product  500  displayed on product display post  200 . For example, in response to a force applied to displayed product  500  (or product display post  200 ), the force is transferred through display post  200  to damping chamber  420  disposed below display platform  300 . The force is absorbed by compressing resilient damping material  430  within damping chamber  420  using movement of a structure disposed within damping chamber  420  (e.g., damping flange  440 ) and fixed to product display post  200 . Such absorption by compression repeats—at alternating positions of the damping material  430 —until displayed product  500  is still. 
     As described, such repeating absorption by compression involves first compressing a first portion of damping material  430  (e.g., portion  432 ) and simultaneously compressing a second portion of the damping material  430  (e.g., portion  434 ), the second portion being compressed in a direction parallel to and opposite of the direction in which the first portion is compressed. Next, such repeating absorption by compression involves compressing a third portion of damping material  430  and simultaneously compressing a fourth portion of damping material  430 , the fourth portion being compressed in a direction parallel to and opposite of the direction in which the third portion is compressed. 
     Directions are discussed herein in terms of horizontal and vertical for clarity of description with reference to the figures, but it should be appreciated that display stand system could operate similarly in a different orientation. Further, though some motions and directions of displayed product  500 , product display post  200 , and damping flange  440  may be described in terms of horizontal and vertical, it is recognized that their overall movement may be more complex and somewhat rotational, with both horizontal and vertical components. The terms horizontal and vertical are used in reference to the predominant component direction of the described motion, for clarity of description with reference to the figures. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 B and  5 C , compression of damping material  430  occurs in different, alternating positions of damping material  430 . This gives compressed material in one position time to resiliently return to its pre-deformed state before being compressed again, thereby most effectively dissipating force and reducing oscillation. For clarity of description this motion and oscillation is shown and described in two dimensions, but it should be apparent that it can occur in three dimensions, with the described portions of display stand system  100  extending all around display post  200  (e.g., in a circular configuration), and with the positions of compression of damping material  430  moving to correspond to the motion of oscillation of product  500  as it is transferred down display post  200  and through damping flange  440 . 
     In some embodiments, a total height of damping material  430  (e.g., damping material units  430 A and  430 B together) in and damping flange  440  together is equal to a total height of damping chamber  420 . In some embodiments this is the case when damping material is unloaded (i.e., not undergoing compression from damping assembly  400 ). 
     In some embodiments, damping material  430  may be pre-loaded within damping chamber  420 . In other words, even when product display system  100  is in a stationary configuration, without movement of displayed product  500 , damping material  430  may be compressed (relative to a free state) within damping chamber  420 , by walls of damping chamber  420 . For example, damping material unit  430 A may be compressed between damping flange  440  and bottom surface  422  of damping chamber  420 , and damping material unit  430 B may be compressed between damping flange  440  and top surface  424  of damping chamber  420 . To effect this pre-loading, a total height of damping material  430  (e.g., damping material units  430 A and  430 B together) in an unloaded configuration and damping flange  440  together may be greater than a total height of damping chamber  420 . This allows damping chamber  420  to compress damping material  430  against damping flange  440  within damping chamber  420 . This helps keep damping flange  440  and product display post  200  stationary and not prone to wobbling. It also improves the effectiveness of damping material  430  in absorbing and dissipating forces and associated oscillation of displayed product  500 . 
       FIGS.  6 A- 6 C,  7 A, and  7 B  show product display stand system  100  in more detail.  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  are central cross-sectional views and correspond to a state of display stand system  100  in which displayed product  500  is stationary, like in  FIG.  5 D , discussed above.  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  are also central cross-sectional views (taken at the same plane as  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B ) and correspond to a state of display stand system  100  in which displayed product  500  is in motion (e.g., oscillating), like in  FIGS.  5 B and  5 C , discussed above. The description relating to  FIGS.  5 A- 5 D  above applies to display stand system  100  as shown in  FIGS.  6 A- 6 C,  7 A, and  7 B . And the description relating to  FIGS.  6 A- 6 C,  7 A, and  7 B  applies to display stand system  100  as shown in  FIGS.  5 A- 5 D . 
       FIG.  6 A  shows display stand system  100 ,  FIG.  6 B  shows an enlarged view of a lower portion of display stand system  100 , and  FIG.  6 C  shows an enlarged lower perspective view of certain parts of display stand system  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  6 B , in some embodiments, damping assembly housing  410  may be coupled to display platform  300 . For example, damping assembly housing  410  may be coupled to an underside of display platform  300  via fasteners  450  (e.g., bolts  450 ) passed through openings  414  in damping assembly housing  410  and threaded into receptacles  332  (e.g., threaded inserts  332 ) of display platform  300 . In some embodiments display platform  300  may be formed of an upper layer  320  and a lower layer  330 . While opening  302  extends entirely through display platform  300  (including through both layers  320  and  330 ), fastening mechanisms for fastening damping assembly housing  410  to the underside of display platform  300  may only extend into lower layer  330  (or at least not above the top surface of display platform  300  or upper layer  320 ). 
     As shown, such bolts  450  and openings  414  are outside damping chamber  420  and so do not interfere with the operation of damping assembly  400  as discussed above. Additionally or alternatively, damping assembly housing  410  may be coupled to display platform  300  using other mechanisms such as, for example, other mechanical fasteners or coupling mechanisms or adhesive. 
     In some embodiments, damping assembly housing  410  includes a lower opening  418 . Opening  418  may be accessible from an exterior of damping assembly  400  when damping assembly is installed and coupled to display platform  300 . Opening  418  may be centered in bottom wall  412  of damping assembly housing  410 . In some embodiments, a lower end of product display post  200  may be accessible through opening  418 . This can enable a user to service or make changes to display stand system  100  while it is still installed. For example, in some embodiments product display post  200  can be coupled to or decoupled from damping flange  440  through opening  418 , or the height or rotation of product display post can be adjusted. 
     In embodiments having opening  418 , bottom surface  422  of damping chamber extends around the periphery of opening  418 , with damping material  430  and portions of damping flange  440  disposed above it as described above and shown, for example, in  FIG.  6 B . 
     Damping flange  440  may have a maximum width (e.g., diameter) that is less than an interior width of damping chamber  420  such that it fits inside damping chamber  420  without touching side surfaces  426  of damping chamber  420 . In embodiments having opening  418 , damping flange  440  has a maximum width (e.g., diameter) that is greater than a width (e.g., diameter) of opening  418 , such that it cannot fit through opening  418 . In this way, damping flange  440  and damping material  430  remain in the stacked arrangement described above and shown in  FIG.  6 B  (e.g., sandwiched together with damping material  430  arranged above and below damping flange  440  and in contact with interior surfaces of damping chamber  420 ). 
     Damping flange  440  may include an attachment mechanism  444  for attaching to product display post  200 , which acts as connection  442  to fix damping flange  440  to display post  200  as described above. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  6 B  for example, attachment mechanism  444  is a collet that receives product display post  200  and is tightened around and fixed to display post  200  by collet nut  446 . In such embodiments where attachment mechanism  444  is on a lower side of damping flange  440  (as shown in  FIG.  6 B ), damping flange  440  may include a hole  448  therethrough (e.g., centered, as shown in  FIG.  6 B ) through which display stand post  200  can pass to reach attachment mechanism  444 . Alternatively product display post  200  may be coupled to display flange in other manners as described above. For example, product display post  200  may be fixed to damping flange by a threaded connection (e.g., a threaded end of display post  200  may be received by a threaded hole of damping flange  440 ), a weld, or other connection mechanism. 
     In some embodiments damping flange may have a protruding portion  441  extending downward and through opening  418  such that the entirety of damping flange is not disposed within damping chamber  420 . Protruding portion  441  may have a shape corresponding to a shape of opening  418  but slightly smaller, so that protruding portion  441  can protrude through opening  418 . In some embodiments, when damping flange  440  is centered within damping chamber  420 , a minimum distance between protruding portion  441  and a side of opening  418  is less than a minimum distance between an end of damping flange  440  and an interior side surface  426  of damping chamber  420 , which can help prevent damping flange  440  from contacting interior side surface  426  within damping chamber  420 . 
     Damping material  430  can take a variety of configurations, as will be explained in more detail below. In  FIG.  6 B , damping material  430  is formed of two damping material units  430 : first damping material unit  430 A disposed beneath damping flange  440 , and second damping material unit  430 B disposed above damping flange. In the illustrated embodiment, both damping material unit  430 A and damping material unit  430 B are annular, forming a ring shape (seen in cross-section in  FIG.  6 A  and  FIG.  6 B ). As discussed above, damping material  430  may be a resilient foam or foam-like material. 
     In some embodiments, damping assembly  400  includes a damping leveler plate  402  disposed between bottom wall  412  of damping assembly housing  410  and first damping material unit  430 A. Damping leveler plate  402  may be a rigid flat element (e.g., metal or a hard polymer) and in embodiments in which it is included damping leveler plate  402  may form an interior surface of damping chamber  420  (e.g., bottom surface  422 ). Damping leveler plate may be supported on bottom wall  412  directly or via leveler posts  404  (e.g., adjustment screws, such as set screws) that can be adjusted up or down relative to bottom wall  412  to thereby adjust the angle at which damping flange  440  rests within damping chamber  420 . This can allow the angle of product display post  200  to be adjusted if needed (e.g., to make sure that its stationary position is vertical). 
       FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  show display stand system  100  in an active state, where displayed product  500  is in motion (e.g., oscillating), swaying above display platform  300 , with product display post  200  moving (e.g., flexing, tilting, or both flexing and tilting) away from a stationary vertical position by an angle θ. Referring to  FIG.  7 B , in the same way as described above with reference to  FIGS.  5 B and  5 C , damping flange  440  tilts in response to the movement of product display post  200  and compresses portions of damping material  430  above and below damping flange  440  on opposite sides of product display post  200 . Specifically, a first portion of damping material  430  below damping flange  440  is compressed (at area  432  in  FIG.  7 B ) by damping flange  440  on the same side of damping assembly  400  as the direction in which product display post  200  is tilted away from vertical (the left side in  FIG.  7 B ) and a second portion of damping material  430  above damping flange  440  is compressed (at area  434  in  FIG.  7 B ) by damping flange  440  on the side of damping assembly  400  positioned away from the direction in which product display post  200  is tilted (the right side in  FIG.  7 B ). 
     As discussed above, by compressing, damping material  430  absorbs energy from flange  440 , slowing its motion for its next oscillation. To effect this outcome, damping material  430  may have a high damping coefficient. Damping material  430  may be selected for its damping characteristics such as, for example, damping coefficient, rebound control rate, resiliency, to suit the characteristics of a particular implementation, taking account of characteristics such as displayed product  500  weight, product display post  200  length and flexibility, and height of the space in which damping material  430  is to be disposed. 
     The shape and position of damping material  430  also may be leveraged to help achieve desired damping and movement outcomes for displayed product  500 .  FIGS.  8 A- 8 D  show different potential configurations for damping material  430  within damping chamber  420 .  FIG.  8 A  shows damping material element  430  having an annular configuration about a central axis  428  (coinciding with the position of product display post  200 ), like in  FIGS.  6 B and  7 B .  FIGS.  8 B- 8 D  show alternative configurations, including an evenly-segmented arrangement with linear gaps ( FIG.  8 B ), a configuration of small, discrete pads ( FIG.  8 C ), and a cross configuration with small, discrete pads ( FIG.  8 D ). The uniform configuration of  FIG.  8 A  may help control oscillation evenly in any direction, while the arrangements of  FIGS.  8 B- 8 D  may help control the direction of oscillation by arranging damping material  430  and gaps therebetween. 
     Units of damping material  430  need not be of the same type or have the same damping characteristics. In some embodiments damping material units  430  are different types or have different damping characteristics.  FIGS.  9 A- 9 D  show different potential configurations for damping material  430 C and damping material  430 D within damping chamber  420 . Damping material  430 C is different from damping material  430 D in at least its type (e.g., different type of foam), damping characteristics (e.g., different damping coefficient, rebound control rate, and/or resiliency), or thicknesses. The arrangements of  FIGS.  9 A- 9 D  may help control the direction or degree of oscillation by arranging damping material  430 C, damping material  430 D, and gaps therebetween. 
     The damping material arrangements of  FIGS.  8 A- 9 D  in some embodiments are applied at both an upper side of damping flange  440  within damping chamber  420  and a lower side of damping flange  440  within damping chamber  420 . In some embodiments the upper and the lower side have the same arrangement (e.g., the same of one of the arrangements shown in  FIGS.  8 A- 9 D  or another arrangement), in some embodiments they have different arrangements (e.g., different ones of the arrangements shown in  FIGS.  8 A- 9 D  or another arrangement). 
     In some embodiments, damping material  430  may be stacked in layers (e.g., multiple layers of damping material  430  disposed to one side (i.e., above or below) of damping flange  440  between damping flange  440  and an interior surface of damping chamber  420 . Such stacked layers may have the same arrangement but different material qualities (e.g., a different material and/or different damping coefficient, rebound control rate, and/or resiliency), or they may have different arrangements with different material qualities. The damping material selection and arrangement can be customized help allow the desired damping effect of display stand system, according to its expected environment (e.g., displayed product  500  weight, product display post  200  height, environment of installation and expected forces to be encountered). 
     In some embodiments the upper and lower surfaces of damping flange  440  that contact damping material  430  are flat, such that flat surfaces of damping flange  440  press against and compress flat surfaces of damping material units  430  as discussed above. As also discussed above, damping material  430  may be pre-loaded. That is, even in a stationary position of display stand system  100 , with displayed product  500  evenly balanced and supported by product display post  200 , damping material  430  may be compressed relative to its free, unloaded state. This compression can be caused by pressing together damping material  430  and flange  440  within damping chamber  420  (e.g., damping material  430  may be pre-loaded by being compressed in the vertical direction in fit within a vertical dimension of damping chamber  420 ). In such a pre-loaded state, the resilience of damping material  430  will press against damping flange  440  (e.g., from above and from below) to help stabilize it and keep it in a stationary position (e.g., with displayed product  500  evenly balanced and supported above by product display post  200 ). In some embodiments, such upward and downward pressure from damping material  430  will be applied radially around product display post  200  due to damping material  430  being positioned radially around product display post. 
     In some embodiments, as shown, for example, in  FIG.  10   , damping flange  440  may have damping feet  445  extending from a main body  447  (e.g., a main plate  447 ) of damping flange  440 . Main body  447  may be flat (e.g., have flat upper and lower surfaces). Damping feet  445  may be interposed between main plate  447  and damping material  430 . Damping feet may have a diameter much smaller than a diameter of main plate  447 . For example, a damping foot  445  may have a maximum width (e.g., diameter) that is less than 1/10 a maximum width (e.g., diameter) of main plate  447 . In some embodiments damping feet  445  are cylindrical (like damping flange  440  in some embodiments), but can have other shapes. Damping feet  445  may compress damping material  430  in a concentrated manner focused at the positions of damping feet  445 , pre-loading damping material  430  in a similar way as discussed above, except that such pre-loading is concentrated at the positions of feet  445 . 
     In some embodiments, feet  445  are distributed radially about a center of main plate  447  (e.g., about the position at which product display post  200  connects to display flange  440 , at connection  442  between product display post  200  and main plate  447 ).  FIGS.  11 A and  11 B  show views that can represent both top and bottom sides of display flange  440  with feet  445 . As shown in  FIG.  11 A , four feet  445  can be distributed evenly about central axis  428 . As shown in  FIG.  11 B , three feet can be distributed evenly about central axis  428 . In some embodiments the upper and the lower sides of flange  440  have the same arrangement of feet  445  (e.g., the same of one of the arrangements shown in  FIG.  11 A or  11 B  or another arrangement), in some embodiments they have different arrangements (e.g., different ones of the arrangements shown in  FIG.  11 A or  11 B  or another arrangement). 
     By concentrating initial compression of  430  using feet  445 , display stand system  100  can effect a two-stage damping when displayed product  500  moves (e.g., oscillates) above display platform  300 . The first stage is compression of damping material  430  by damping feet  445 . The second stage is compression of damping material  430  by main body  447 , which presses against damping material  430  after or to a lesser degree than feet  445 . Thus, as a consequence of an initial movement of product display post  200  (e.g., due to movement of displayed product  500 ) damping flange  440  tilts to one side, and damping feet  445  extend deeper into damping material  430 , driving greater compression and encountering greater resistance due to the resilience of damping material  430 . This is the first stage. As the motion continues and damping flange  440  tilts more, main body  447  of damping flange  440  compresses damping material  430 , though not as deeply as at damping feet  445 , providing a softer, wider resistance by pressing more shallowly against a greater area of damping material  430 . This is the second stage. 
     The first stage can be useful for quickly absorbing energy and thereby reducing motion below a threshold magnitude, while the second stage can be useful for absorbing energy and thereby reducing motion above the threshold, thereby bringing it down beneath the threshold so that it can be absorbed by the first stage. Thus, the first stage focuses compression more deeply in a concentrated area, while the second stage spreads compression more widely and shallowly. This two-stage damping arrangement helps to bring even relatively larger forces and movement down quickly, by allowing the second stage to engage and dampen relatively larger forces and relatively smaller forces in different ways, allowing the damping effect of display stand system  100  to be tailored to most effectively absorb energy and reduce oscillation according to its expected environment (e.g., displayed product  500  weight, product display post  200  height, environment of installation and expected forces to be encountered). 
     In some embodiments, damping flange  440  and damping material  430  are retained in position relative to each other simply by their constricted motion due to being contained within damping chamber  420 . (And in the case where damping material  430  is pre-loaded, forces between damping material  430 , damping flange  440 , and damping assembly housing  410  due to the compression of damping material  430  can help maintain their relative positions.) However, in some embodiments, an adhesive  438  may be applied between damping material  430  and other portions of damping assembly  400  (e.g., between damping material  430  and damping flange  440 , and/or between damping material  430  and surfaces defining damping chamber  420 ). 
       FIGS.  12 A- 12 E  show some example configurations of adhesive  438  relative to damping flange  440 .  FIGS.  12 A- 12 E  show views that can represent both top and bottom sides of display flange  440 . Such adhesive example configurations may also be applied between damping material  430  and surfaces defining damping chamber  420 . 
       FIG.  12 A  shows no adhesive being used.  FIG.  12 B  shows adhesive  438  radially branching out from central axis  428 .  FIGS.  12 C and  12 D  show adhesive circles evenly radially spaced about central axis  428 . The circles of  FIG.  12 C  are all the same size. The circles of  FIG.  12 D  are also all the same size, but smaller than those of  FIG.  12 C .  FIG.  12 E  shows a single circle adhesive  438  centered on central axis  428 . Such adhesive  438  may be applied to ends of feet  445  in embodiments in which feet  445  are used. 
     As mentioned, the adhesive configurations of  FIGS.  12 A- 12 E  may be interposed between damping material  430  and another element, to help fix the adhered elements together and retain their relative positions. For example, they can be disposed between damping material  430  and damping flange  440 , between damping material  430  and interior surfaces of damping chamber  420 , between different layers of damping material  430 , or any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments adhesive  438  between different elements can have the same arrangement, in the same or different orientation about central axis  428 , (e.g., the same of one of the arrangements shown in  FIGS.  12 A- 12 E  or another arrangement). In some embodiments they have different arrangements (e.g., different ones of the arrangements shown in  FIGS.  12 A- 12 B  or another arrangement). 
     It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20220603
Publication Date: 20250121
Grant Date: 20250121
Priority Date: 20220603
Inventors: WANG, ERIC WEIJIA
RITTER, GREGORY R.
ADAMS, JOSHUA
CHING, Olivia
NAMBIAR, PRIYA K.
SCHWALBACH, CHARLES A.
HERMAN, David S.
CAMP, JOHN S.
SCHNEIDER, SAMUEL O.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "F16F15/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M11/22", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M2200/08", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M13/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M2200/08", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M11/22", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16F2230/0076", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16F15/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16F1/445", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47B13/16", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F5/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F5/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M2200/08", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M11/22", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16F15/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F5/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 88977608