US20070158288A1 - Spinner display rack - Google Patents

Abstract

A display rack comprising a horizontally movable trolley mounted on a track and a rotatable shelf mounted to the movable trolley. The track is mounted between a plurality of upright posts in such a manner that the trolley is horizontally movable between the posts. The track may be oriented so that the trolley moves either from side to side or between the back and front of the display. The shelf is mounted is secured to the trolley so that it is rotatable about a vertical axis that is disposed substantially at right angles to the direction of travel of the trolley. The shelf may be positioned either above or below the trolley and, depending upon the shelf's position, the product is displayed on the upper or lower surface of the shelf. The display shelf may therefore be moved horizontally relative to the upright posts and/or rotated to allow for easier access to the products displayed thereon.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Technical Field
• This invention generally relates to display systems for retail products. Specifically, the invention relates to a spinner display rack that is mounted on a sliding carriage that allows the display to be moved horizontally from one position to another and that further is rotatable to allow consumers to easily access the products displayed thereon.
• 2. Background Information
• Retailers are always seeking ways to maximize the display space that they have available. When setting up a display system, the retailer has to consider the shape and size of any particular product to be displayed and whether a large number of different types of the same product need to be made available to the consumer. Electric outlets, for example, are purely functional in nature and fairly small and, apart from their functionality, they are basically identical. A consumer will therefore only need to select which of the different types of outlets they need, e.g., an outlet for a two-bladed plug versus an outlet for a three-bladed grounded plug. After that decision, the selection of the actual individual outlet for purchase is substantially irrelevant. The retailer can therefore display one example of each of the different types of electrical outlets side by side on a display board and simply keep boxes of the various styles of outlets in close proximity to the display.
• Other products, however, present far more of a challenge because the basis for their selection is aesthetic appeal. Consequently, the consumer will wish to examine a large variety of examples of the same type of product before making a decision to purchase. An example of this type of product is lampshades. A lampshade is a decorative article and, as such, a consumer will wish to look at a wide range of styles, colors and sizes of lampshades in order to find that one particular shade that fits their needs. Consequently, the retailer has to display an entire line of products in a manner that is easy for the consumer to look at, yet at the same time does not take up a lot of display space. If this type of product is simply positioned side-by-side on a display rack, then a lot of valuable display space is taken up. If, the retailer attempts to conserve display space and stack the products one-behind-the-other on the shelf, then the consumer may not see those of the products which are placed further inwardly on the shelf. Additionally, consumers will tend to rearrange and redistribute the products as they attempt to reach more buried versions of the product.
• There is therefore a need in the art for a display rack that enables a consumer to quickly and easily access the products displayed thereon, but which also capitalizes on the amount of valuable display space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The device of the present invention is a display rack that includes a horizontally movable trolley mounted on a track and a rotatable shelf mounted to the movable trolley. The track comprises a pair of rails that mounted between spaced apart pairs of upright posts. The trolley is slidably engageable along the rails. Depending on the orientation of the track, the trolley can slide horizontally from one side of a display rack to another, or the trolley can slide between the front and back of the display and may even be able to extend partially into the aisle. The shelf is mounted on the trolley in such a manner that it is able to rotate about a vertical axis that is disposed at right angles to the direction of horizontal motion of the trolley. The shelf includes an upper surface onto which the products are placed. Alternatively, the shelf may include a plurality of hooks on a lower surface that allow product to be suspended therefrom. The shelf can therefore be simultaneously rotated and moved horizontally so that the consumer can more easily access the products displayed thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the spinner display in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the spinner display;
• FIG. 3 is top view of the spinner display mounted on a carriage connected between two shelving units;
• FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the spinner display of the present invention;
• FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the spinner display of the present invention;
• FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the connection between the spinner display and the carriage through line6-6 ofFIG. 4;
• FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the connection between the carriage and the shelving unit through line7-7 ofFIG. 3;
• FIG. 8 is side elevational view of the connection point of the carriage through line8-8 ofFIG. 3;
• FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the connection between the display rack and the carriage through line9-9 ofFIG. 4;
• FIG. 10 is a top view of the spinner rack moved on the carriage toward the second shelving unit;
• FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the spinner display rack moved to the second end of the carriage and display product thereon;
• FIG. 12 shows a second embodiment of the spinner display rack in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the spinner display rack ofFIG. 12;
• FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the spinner display rack ofFIG. 12;
• FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the spinner display ofFIG. 12; and
• FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the connection between the spinner display rack and the carriage through line16-16 ofFIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Referring toFIGS. 1-9, there is shown a display rack in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at10. Rack10 is designed to be mounted between four uprightmetal shelving posts12 which are typically used in large home-improvement type stores.Display rack10 includes a pair of spacedapart tracks20 that are secured toposts12, ahorizontal trolley14 mounted for slidable horizontal movement along saidtracks20, and aspinner shelf16 mounted on thetrolley14.Spinner shelf16 may be disposed above or belowtrolley14 and is mounted for rotational motion about an axis disposed at substantially at right angles to direction of travel oftrolley14 ontracks20. Shelf16 is adapted to display products thereon.
• Tracks20 are secured toposts12 in such an orientation as to ensure the desired direction of motion of thetrolley14 is achieved. So, iftrolley14 is to slide from side to side within thedisplay rack10, thentracks20 are secured so as to be oriented substantially parallel to the front and back of the display rack. Iftrolley14 is to slide between the front and back of thedisplay rack10, thentracks20 are secured so that they are disposed at right angles to the front and back of therack10.FIG. 1 illustrates adisplay rack10 where thetrolley14 is to slide from side to side withinrack10. Thus, a pair of L-shaped brackets18 extend between a front and a rearupright shelving post12 on either side of the display. The right-hand front and rear posts have been removed to simplify the drawing. (If thetrolley14 was to move between the front and back of the display, then thebracket18awould extend between the twofront posts12 and thebracket18bwould extend between the twoback posts12.)
• The pair of parallel, spaced aparttracks20 are mounted betweenbrackets18a,18b.Tracks20 can be mounted tobrackets18 in any suitable manner, such as by way of S-shaped hangers21 that run at least partially along thelength bracket18 or by more permanent means such as fasteners (not shown). Eachtrack20 includes a generally C-shaped guide channel22 and eachguide channel22 has ametal strengthening rod23 disposed therein.
• Thetrolley14 is a generally H-shaped and includes a pair of parallel spaced-apart supports24 which extend between the spaced-apart tracks20 and are connected to each other by acrossbar28. Each end of eachsupport24 is provided with aroller26 that is received within one of the opposingguide channels22 intracks20.Rollers26 mounted on the end ofsupports24 are introduced intoguide channels22 through alignedapertures36 intracks20.Rods23, which are disposed inchannels22 also act as spacers torollers26 by substantially preventingbolts27 from scraping along the interior surface20aoftrack20.Trolley14 has a longitudinal axis of travel A-A (FIG. 1) which is substantially parallel totracks20 and trolley is therefore reciprocally movable along thetracks20 toward and away frombrackets18 and parallel to the axis of travel A-A.Trolley14 also includes at least onestop34, disposed on one ofsupports24 to cushion anyimpact trolley14 may have onbrackets18.Supports24a,24bandcrossbar28 therefore provide a movable unit that may be reciprocally moved along longitudinal axis A-A betweenbrackets18aand18b.
• In accordance with another feature of the present invention,trolley14 is provided with asleeve30 that extends outwardly away fromcentral support24a(FIGS. 4 & 6) and is disposed substantially at right angles thereto.Sleeve30 is connected tocentral support24aandcrossbar28 by a plurality ofgussets32 and preferably is substantially cylindrical in shape.Sleeve30 also defines anaxial bore30atherein.
• Shelf16 is connected totrolley14 by way of acentral post38 which is slidably received withinbore30aofsleeve30. Afirst end40 ofpost38 is inserted through anaperture42 inshelf16 and then into bore30aofsleeve30.First end40 is secured withinbore30aby a spring-biaseddetent44 received through anaperture46 insleeve30 and by a nut andbolt48.Post38 further includes asecond end50 having a bearing52 thereon. Whendisplay rack10 is assembled, bearing52 is disposed below thelower surface16bofshelf16 andshelf16 is therefore essentially suspended fromtrolley14. Shelf15 is rotatable on bearing52 and about the post's vertical axis B-B. As seen fromFIG. 5, the vertical axis B-B ofpost38 lies substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis A-A oftrolley14. More than one spring biaseddetent44 may be provided onpost38 and thus the length ofpost38 and the distance betweenshelf16 andtrolley14 is adjustable.
• FIGS. 10 & 11 show howtrolley14 andshelf16 mounted thereon can move horizontally betweenbracket18aandbracket18balong the trolley's longitudinal axis A-A. This movement is accomplished by graspingshelf16 orcentral post38 and sliding the same alongtracks20 either towardbracket18aor towardbracket18b. Whentrolley14 is moved in a first direction, as indicated by arrow “C” inFIGS. 10 & 11,trolley14 moves fromproximate bracket18atowardbracket18b. Movement in this direction is arrested whenstop34 engagesbracket18b.Trolley14 may be moved in the opposite direction to arrow “C”, thereby moving fromproximate bracket18btowardbracket18a. Movement in this direction is substantially arrested when rollers26aandsupport24aencounter bracket18a. The horizontal sliding motion allows the consumer or the store assistant to slideshelf16 from one side of a display to another.
• It will be understood thattracks20 may be mounted to posts in such a manner as to allowshelf16 to slide partially into and out of a store aisle. This orientation is not shown in the drawings. However, this movement permits theshelf16 to be moved at least partially into the aisle so thatproducts56 displayed on theshelf16 may be more easily accessed by the consumer.
• FIG. 11 illustrates thatshelf16 may also be rotated through 360° about the vertical axis B-B ofpost38. This motion allows the consumer to rotateshelf16 to accessproducts56 that may initially be held on that part ofshelf16 remote from the consumer.Shelf16 can therefore be moved horizontally along the longitudinal axis A-A oftrolley14 and/or may be rotated about the vertical axis B-B ofpost38 so as to positionshelf16 in a manner that allows the consumer to more easily gain access toproducts56 thereon.
• Because theshelf16 is circular in shape, the shelf occupies a horizontal display space generally equivalent to the diameter of theshelf16. However, the actual space available onshelf16 for display ofproducts56 is equivalent to the circular area of the shelf. This is a considerably larger display space than the horizontal distance that theshelf16 occupies. Furthermore, becauseshelf16 is suspended, it is possible for the store to display other products on a fixed shelf disposed beneath theshelf16, thereby maximizing the display space.
• It will be understood that more than one shelf can be secured to themovable trolley16 and that if two or more shelves are so secured, that each shelf could be individually rotatable.
• Referring toFIGS. 12-16 there is shown a second embodiment of a display rack in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at110. Inrack110, the L-brackets118 are secured to a display surface (not shown) andtrolley114 again includesrollers126 which engagetracks120 and that enabletrolley114 to slide horizontally along the longitudinal axis D-D ofrack110.Shelf116 is mounted so as to be disposed abovetrolley114 withpost138 being inserted throughaperture142 in collar154 (FIG. 16). Bearing152 allowsshelf116 to rotate about the vertical axis E-E ofpost138. Products (not shown) are placed on theupper surface116aofshelf116.Shelf116 can therefore be horizontally moved along the longitudinal axis of travel D-D oftrolley114 and/or can be rotated about the vertical axis E-E ofpost138 to make the products onshelf116 more accessible to the consumer. The consumer can moveshelf116 either from side to side, or into and out of the aisle in order to access products on the shelf. Furthermore, they can rotate the shelf to gain access to products that are located toward the rear of the display. The horizontal sliding motion and the rotational motion can occur simultaneously.
• It will be understood that while theshelves16,116 are shown as formed as a series of concentric metallic rings, the shelves can alternatively be formed with a substantially solid upper or lower surface. Furthermore, it will be understood that while rollers are provided to allow the trolley to slide back and forth along the tracks, any other suitable mechanism can be provided for this purpose.
• It will also be understood that while the trolley is shown as mounted on a pair of spaced apart parallel tracks, it may alternatively be mounted for slidable movement along only a single track without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, while the bearing is shown as received within the aperture within the shelf, it will be understood that the bearing may alternatively be disposed on the trolley end of the central post.
• It will further be understood that while the preferred embodiment of the invention discloses that products are displayed on an upper surface of the shelf, the shelf may be connected to the trolley in such a manner that it is positioned beneath the same. The lower surface of the shelf may then be provided with hooks or other connectors upon which the products to be sold may be suspended. Furthermore, the shelf may be secured in such a manner that it can be used to display products on both the upper and lower surfaces thereof.
• In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
• Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims (22)

1. A rack for displaying retail products; said rack comprising:

a track adapted to be mounted to a retail display;

a trolley horizontally movable along the track; and

a shelf rotatably mounted on the trolley, said shelf being adapted to support a plurality of articles to be displayed thereon.

2. The display rack as defined inclaim 1, wherein the track comprises:

a first and a second bracket, each of said brackets being adapted to be secured between a pair of upright posts of the retail display;

a first and a second rail, each of said rails extending between the first and second brackets and being disposed substantially at right angles thereto.

3. The display rack as defined inclaim 2, wherein the track further includes a first and second hanger, and said first hanger secures the first rail to the first bracket; and said second hanger secures the second rail to the second bracket.

4. The display rack as defined inclaim 3, wherein both of the first and second brackets are L-shaped in cross-section; and both of the first and second hangers are substantially S-shaped in cross-section.

5. The display rack as defined inclaim 2, wherein each of said first and second rails is substantially C-shaped and includes an interior channel, and wherein said channels open up toward each other.

6. The display rack as defined inclaim 5, wherein said trolley is operationally engageable in the channels of said rails and is reciprocally movable therealong.

7. The display rack as defined inclaim 6, wherein the trolley comprises:

a first and a second support; each of the first and second supports having opposing ends;

a crossbar connected between the first and second supports; and

a roller mounted on each of said ends of the first and second supports; and wherein the rollers are sized to be rotatably received within the channels in the first and second rails of the track; whereby the trolley is reciprocally slidable along the track.

8. The display rack as defined inclaim 6, wherein the trolley further includes a stop mounted to one or both of said first and second supports, said stop being adapted to engage one of said first and second brackets and to thereby limit movement of said trolley on the track.

9. The display rack as defined inclaim 1, wherein the shelf is mounted to one of an upper and a lower surface of the trolley.

10. The display rack as defined inclaim 7, further comprising a vertical post extending between the trolley and the shelf; and wherein the post includes a vertically disposed axis therethrough and wherein the shelf is rotatable around the vertical axis.

11. The display rack as defined inclaim 10, wherein the trolley is slidable along the tracks in a direction substantially at right angles to the vertical axis of the post.

12. The display rack as defined inclaim 10, wherein the vertical post comprises a first section that extends outwardly away from the trolley and a second section that extends outwardly away from the shelf; and wherein the first and second sections are adjustably connected together.

11. The display rack as defined inclaim 10, wherein the first section of the vertical post is mounted at right angles to the crossbar; and the second section of the vertical post is mounted at right angles to an upper surface of the shelf.

12. The display rack as defined inclaim 11, wherein the second section of the vertical post includes a bearing disposed between the shelf and the second section of the vertical post.

13. The display rack as defined inclaim 1, wherein the shelf is substantially circular in shape.

14. The display rack as defined inclaim 1, wherein the shelf is simultaneously horizontally slidable and rotatable about a vertical axis.

15. A display rack for displaying products thereon; said rack including a horizontal shelf adapted to support a plurality of products thereon for display; said shelf being reciprocally rotatable in said rack about a vertical axis and further being reciprocally movable in said rack along a horizontal axis.

16. The display rack as defined inclaim 15, wherein said rack has a front, a back and opposing sides; and wherein said shelf is reciprocally movable between the opposing sides of the rack.

17. The display rack as defined inclaim 15, wherein said rack has a front, a back and opposing sides; and wherein said shelf is reciprocally movable along an axis that extends between said front and back of the rack; and wherein said shelf is slidable to a point where at least a portion thereof is disposed in front of the front of the rack.

18. The display rack as defined inclaim 15, wherein the shelf is simultaneously slidable along the horizontal axis and rotatable about the vertical axis.

19. The display rack as defined inclaim 15, wherein the shelf is circular in shape.

20. The display rack as defined inclaim 13, wherein the shelf includes an upper and lower surface and wherein the shelf is adapted to display products on one or both of the upper and lower surfaces thereof.

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