WO2000007884A1

WO2000007884A1 - Product display system and display device therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2000007884A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/017603
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony L. Brooks
Original assignee: Imperial Schrade Corporation
Priority date: 1998-08-04
Filing date: 1999-08-04
Publication date: 2000-02-17
Also published as: AU5334499A

Abstract

A product display system (2) comprising a display panel (20) made of ferromagnetic material designed to be used in conjunction with any number of display devices (10, 100, 200, 300), each device is adapted to retain a product therein. The display panel is preferably made of steel or other magnetic material. Each display device preferably comprises a unitary piece of molded or vacuum formed plastic including a recess (18, 22) having an open front side for retaining a product. Each display device further includes at least one magnet (24) for affixing the device to the display panel. Thus, a plurality of devices can be attached to a single panel, allowing for an endless variety of the type, number and arrangement of products.

Description

TITLE: PRODUCT DISPLAY SYSTEM AND DISPLAY DEVICE THEREFOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to systems for holding and displaying products and, more particularly, to a display system generally used at retail for displaying and selling a plurality of different products.

BACKGROUND ART

Devices and systems for displaying assortments of products for retail sale are well known in the art. One typical display system of the prior art comprises a relatively large vacuum form made of molded plastic which is designed to be used within a glass display case. The vacuum form typically includes a plurality of preformed pockets, each pocket molded in a particular shape designed to retain therein a particular product, such as, e.g., a pocket knife. The display case comprises a glass upper portion and a wood base including a storage area and a display panel having an inclined portion and a horizontal portion. The vacuum form rests against the display panel and is sized to cover the entire panel. The panel may include channels which extend around the bottom and sides of the inclined portion to secure the vacuum form in place. Location of the vacuum form inside the display case allows products to be easily viewed by customers, while protecting the products displayed therein from being shoplifted.

This type of conventional display system is deficient because, once the vacuum form is molded, the layout, type and number of the products able to be displayed are fixed. An entirely new vacuum form must be produced in order to introduce a new product to be displayed or to change the layout or number of products being displayed. There have been attempts in the prior art to provide other product display systems.

U.S. Patent No. 2,893,546 to Kendall et al. shows a two-piece display device, for a single article, comprising a plastic cover and a cardboard backing. The cover is shaped to generally conform to the shape of the article to be displayed therein and is open on its rear side. The backing is generally planar and is adapted to slide into two opposing grooves formed in the rearmost portion of the cover, thereby closing the open rear side of the cover. The display device shown in Kendall et al. does not provide easy access to the article contained therein (perhaps intentionally) because the customer must remove the cardboard backing on the rear of the display device in order to gain access to the article, and then slide the cardboard back in place after replacing the article.

U.S. Patent No. 2,943,246 to Riordan shows a display device for a single article comprising a permanently magnetized wafer designed to increase the magnetic attraction between the wafer and a magnetized structure. The wafer includes an article-attaching tab to which is permanently affixed an envelope-shaped eyeglass case. Riordan's display device apparently must be attached to a vertical panel in order for the eyeglass case to hang properly.

U.S. Patent No. 3,566,526 to La Violette shows a box-like structure for displaying a product including a magnetic member affixed to the box-like structure for holding the product. La Violette's magnetic member is permanently affixed to the box-like structure. Thus, the magnetic member cannot accommodate a variety of products. In fact, La Voilette's display case can only accommodate a single product in a fixed position.

U.S. Patent No. 5,1 19,574 to King is shows a collector's album including one or more display pages for displaying a plurality of articles. Each display page includes a fixed array of display pockets each of which comprises a rectangular recess and retaining members for holding an article to be displayed therein. Optionally, each recess may receive one of a variety of holders which are designed to hold baseball cards, stamps, coins or the like. King's recesses are fixed, and therefore cannot be repositioned, removed or replaced. Futhermore, the rectangularly shaped recesses cannot accommodate items having irregular shapes.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a product display system that will enable quick and efficient addition, removal, substitution or rearrangement of the products displayed therein.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a product display system for use within a display case that will allow products to be easily viewed by customers and will protect such products from shoplifting.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a product display system that can be retrofitted to existing display cases.

Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a product display device which accommodates more than one type of product therein.

Another object of the present invention to provide a product display device from which a product can be easily removed and replaced.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a product display device which can be positioned at any location on a product display panel. It is another object of the present invention to provide a product display device which is economical to manufacture.

These and other objects are achieved by the present invention which comprises a product display system comprising a display panel designed to be used in conjunction with any number of display devices. The panel is preferably made of steel or other magnetic material. The display device preferably comprises a unitary piece of molded or vacuum formed plastic and is designed to hold only a single product. In this manner, the number, type and layout of products being displayed may be changed at will.

The display device preferably includes a recess integrally formed therein for removably retaining a product and a tag portion upon which a product label can be placed. In the preferred embodiment, one or more magnets is rigidly attached to or contained within the display device. The display device also preferably includes means for enabling the display device to lay flat against the display panel.

When placed in close proximity to the display panel, the magnet(s) cause the display device to adhere to the panel. A plurality of display devices can be attached to a single panel, allowing for an endless variety of the type, number and arrangement of products. The number of display devices able to be placed on a particular panel is limited only by the size of the panel and the desired display layout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the display system of the present invention, including several embodiments of display devices used therewith;

FIG. 2 shows one preferred embodiment of a display device of the present invention with a product secured therein;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the display device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of an alternate embodiment of the display device of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the display device of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5; and FIGS. 7-9 are front views of three other embodiments of the display device of the present invention, each shown with a product secured therein.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1 , reference numeral 2 generally refers to the product display system of the present invention which enables a plurality of different products to be easily and economically displayed, rearranged, removed, substituted, updated, or sold, without fear of shoplifting. The manner in which this accomplished is that each of the plurality of different products are self-contained within an individual display device, e.g., display devices 10, 100, 200 and 300, to be described in greater detail hereinafter, whose shape is specially designed to accommodate a particular product. The individual display device includes means, such as a magnet, for enabling the device to be positioned at will within the display system, providing an enormous amount of flexibility to the display system. The display device is also designed to facilitate insertion and removal of the product. Thus, both the display system and the individual display devices are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. More particularly, display system 2 comprises a display case 5 within which is positioned a display panel indicated generally by reference numeral 20. Display case 5 ordinarily includes an upper portion 7 formed at least in part of glass to enable customers to view the products displayed therein, and a base 9 for storage.

Display case 5 is often used in retail establishments to display products, such as knives, handguns, tools, cameras, portable audio equipment, wristwatches, writing instruments, calculators, toys or the like. Such products are particularly susceptible to shoplifting because of their small size and relatively high value. Display case 5 allows such products to be easily viewed by customers, while at the same time protecting the products from shoplifting. To that end, display case 5 often includes a lockable hinged or sliding rear panel (not shown) which must be unlocked by a store employee in order to access the products displayed therein.

Display panel 20 is preferably made of a ferromagnetic material, such as sheet steel, and may include an inclined display surface 6 and a horizontal display surface 8. Inclined display surface 6 is preferably oriented so that products contained in display devices 10, 100, 200 and 300 can be easily viewed by customers and so that products can be easily inserted into, arranged within and removed from display case 5. Typically, display surface 6 is slanted rearwardly, for example, on a plane which is 30-60 degrees from a vertical plane. Horizontal display surface 8 provides easy access to display surface 6 and additional space for displaying products. Preferably, display surfaces 6 and 8 are each substantially planar for ease in inserting, arranging and removing display devices 10, 100, 200 and 300 into, within and from display case 5.

As will be more fully described herein, display devices 10, 100, 200, and 300 are designed to removably retain one or more individual products and are removably secured on display panel 20 at any desired location on display surfaces 6 or 8. Thus, display system 2 enables products to be easily added to or removed from the display and arranged on display panel 20 in an infinite number of configurations. The flexibility of display system 2 is particularly valuable in the fast-changing world of retail sales. New products can be added to, and discontinued products removed from, display panel 20 quickly and easily. In addition, display system 2 allows retailers to capitalize on the popularity of a particular product by, for example, enabling salespeople to move that product into a more prominent location on display panel 20 or add additional samples of that product.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of one possible display device which is indicated generally by reference numeral 10 which is seen to comprise a unitary piece of pre-formed plastic sized and shaped to removably retain a product, such as a knife 12, therein. Knife 12 typically includes a handle 14 and a blade 16. Knife 12 is intended to be merely exemplary, as display device 10 can be formed to removably retain a wide variety of products including, but not limited to, handguns, tools, toys, wristwatches, pens, pencils, calculators or the like.

In FIG. 3, display device 10 is shown with knife 12 removed. Display device 10 includes a blade recess 18 and a handle recess 22 that removably receive blade 16 and handle 14 of knife 12, respectively. Obviously, blade recess 18 and handle recess 22 could comprise a single recess, or any number of recesses, depending upon the product to be placed therein.

Display device 10 also preferably includes at least one magnet 24. Magnet 24 removably secures display device 10 to display panel 20 (not shown in this view; see FIG. 1), and may be positioned at any convenient location on display device 10. In situations in which at least a portion of the product restrained by display device 10 is made of steel or other ferromagnetic material, magnet 24 also helps hold the product, such as knife 12, within blade recess 18 and handle recess 22. Alternatively, hook-and-loop fasteners, double-sided tape, or any other suitable means for removably securing display device 10 to display panel 20 could be used instead of magnet 24. Of course, the use of such alternative means for removable securing display device 10 would mean that display panel 20 need not be made of ferromagnetic material.

Display device 10 also preferably includes a product label 26 that displays pertinent information about the product.

As shown in FIG. 4, display device 10 may optionally include an additional magnet 28. Magnet 28 is shown positioned beneath label 26, however, magnet 28 may be positioned in any convenient place on display device 10. Also, display device 10 may include as many additional magnets, in whatever sizes are appropriate, as may be required by the size and weight of the product being displayed.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 5, handle recess 22 may also include one or more tabs 36 which removably secure the handle 14 of knife 12 into handle recess 22. Obviously, the number configuration and shape of tabs 36 can vary widely, depending upon the characteristics of the product being secured in display device 10.

Magnet 24 is preferably located within a like-shaped (e.g., cylindrical) recess

40. In this embodiment, cylindrical recess 40 is positioned beneath blade recess 18. Magnet 28 is also preferably secured in a like-shaped recess 42. In this embodiment, cylindrical recess 42 is located beneath label 26. Magnets 24 and 28 are preferably press-fit into their respective cylindrical recesses 40 and 42. Alternatively, magnets 24 and 28 may be secured with any suitable adhesive, or any other appropriate means.

As shown in FIG. 6, cylindrical recesses 40 and 42 are comprised respectively of walls 52 and 54 which extend downwardly to floors 56 and 58, respectively. Floors 56 and 58, preferably formed in the same plane, constitute the preferred means for providing a flat stable surface for display device 10 to be secured to display panel 20. Obviously, magnets 24 and 28 and recesses 40 and 42 need not be cylindrical; any other shape that is convenient may be used.

A label recess 44 may be provided to aid in the orientation and placement of label 26. Label recess 44 and product recess 22 are both preferably bordered by a rim 46. Rim 46 is connected to a sidewall 48, which can extend downwardly as shown to an outwardly facing lip 50. Lip 50 in this embodiment is shown co-planar with the floors 56 and 58 of recesses 40 and 42 so lip 50 may also be used to enable a flat stable surface for display device 10 to be secured to display panel 20.

In FIG. 6, floors 56 and 58 are shown roughly in the same longitudinal plane as lip 50, so that floors 56 and 58 (primarily) and lip 50 (secondarily) both provide stabilization for display device 10 when secured to display panel 20. Alternatively, the plane of floors 56 and 58 could be located below or above the plane of lip 50. In the former case, floors 56 and 58 would constitute the sole stabilizing surfaces. In the latter case, lip 50 would constitute the sole stabilizing surface.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate additional embodiments of display device 10. It should be understood that FIGS. 7-9 are merely exemplary, as display device 10 can be used to retain and display an endless variety of products.

FIG. 7 shows a display device 100 which is sized and shaped to removably retain two disparate products which can be used together: a folding knife 1 12, and a belt clip 1 18. Two individual recesses are made in the same plastic form, one to removably retain each product. In addition, a recess may be provided for a label, as shown.

FIG. 8 shows a display device 200 which is adapted to removably retain a pocket knife 212 having two opposing foldable blades 215 and 216, one at each end of the handle of knife 212. Blades 215 and 216 are respectively retained within two blade recesses 218 and 220. FIG. 9 shows a display device 300 which is adapted to removably retain a pocket knife 312 also having two folding blades 31 5 and 316 which pivot out of the same end of the handle. Blades 31 5 and 316 are respectively retained within two blade recesses 318 and 320.

Thus, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the described embodiments, and departures may be made therefrom without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its primary advantages. Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

I CLAIM AS MY INVENTION:

1. A product display system, comprising: a display panel; a plurality of display devices, each of said display devices being shaped to retain a product therein; each of said display devices including means for removably securing said display device to said display panel; and each of said display devices being positionable at any location on said display panel.

2. The product display system of claim 1 , wherein said display panel comprises a substantially planar display surface.

3. The product display system of claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of display devices further includes a product recess for receiving at least a portion of said product therein; said recess generally conforming to the shape of said product and having an open front side to allow easy removal of said product from said recess.

4. The product display system of claim 3, wherein said plurality of display devices comprises a first display device and a second display device; and said recess of said first display device having a different shape than said recess of said second display device.

5. The product display system of claim 4, wherein said plurality of display devices further comprises a third display device; said recess of said third display device having a different shape than both said recess of said first display device and said recess of said second display device.

6. The product display system of claim 3, wherein said recess further comprises means for removably retaining said product therein.

7. The product display system of claim 6, wherein said means for removably retaining said product comprises a tab.

8. The product display system of claim 6, wherein said product includes a ferromagnetic portion and said means for removably retaining said product comprises a magnet.

9. The product display system of claim 3, wherein said recess is sized so that at least a portion of said product may be press-fit therein.

10. The product display system of claim 1 , wherein said means for removably securing said display device to said display panel comprises a magnet; and said display panel further comprises a ferromagnetic portion.

1 1. The product display system of claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of display devices further includes means for providing a stable surface for said display device to rest against said display panel.

12. The product display system of claim 1 1 , wherein each of said display devices further includes a rear side; and said means for providing a stable surface for said display device to rest against said display panel comprises a lip located on said rear side.

13. The product display system of claim 1 , wherein one of said plurality of display devices is shaped to retain two products.

14. The product display system of claim 1 , wherein said display panel and said plurality of display devices are located within a display case having translucent front and top surfaces.

15. A display device, comprising: a plastic form having a front side and a rear side, a recess in said form for receiving a product therein, and means for providing a stable surface for said rear side to rest against an outside support; said recess being shaped to generally conform to the shape of said product and being open on said front side to allow easy removal of said product; and a magnet affixed to said form.

16. The display device of claim 1 5, wherein said plastic form further includes a surface for receiving a label.

1 7. The display device of claim 1 5, wherein said form further includes means for removably retaining said product therein.

18. The display device of claim 15, wherein said means for removably retaining said product comprises a tab.

19. The display device of claim 18, wherein said product includes a ferromagnetic portion and said means for removably retaining said product comprises a magnet.

20. The display device of claim 15, wherein said recess is sized so that at least a portion of said product may be press-fit therein.

21. The display device of claim 15, wherein said means for providing a stable surface for said rear side to rest against an outside support comprises a cylindrical recess for retaining said magnet, said recess having a floor adapted to rest adjacent said outside support.

22. The display device of claim 1 5, wherein said means for providing a stable surface for said rear side to rest against an outside support comprises a substantially planar lip located on said rear side.

23. The display device of claim 22, wherein said means for providing a stable surface for said rear side to rest against an outside support further comprises a cylindrical recess for retaining said magnet, said recess having a floor adapted to rest adjacent said outside support.

24. A product display system, comprising: a display panel comprised of ferromagnetic material; a plurality of differently shaped display devices, being shaped to retain a product therein; each of said display devices including: a product recess for receiving a product therein, said recess generally conforming to the shape of said product and having an open front side to allow easy removal of said product from said product recess; a magnet for removably securing said display device to said display panel; a rear side; a lip located on said rear side for providing a stable surface for said display device to rest against said display panel; and a surface for receiving a label.

25. The product display system of claim 24, wherein said plurality of display devices comprises a first display device and a second display device; and said recess of said first display device having a different shape than said recess of said second display device.

26. The product display system of claim 25, wherein said plurality of display devices further comprises a third display device; and said recess of said third display device having a different shape than said recess of said first display device and said recess of said second display device.

27. The product display system of claim 24, wherein said recess further comprises means for removably retaining a product therein.

28. The product display system of claim 27, wherein said means for removably retaining said product comprises a tab.

29. The product display system of claim 27 , wherein said product includes a ferromagnetic portion and said means for removably retaining said product comprises a magnet.

30. The product display system of claim 24, wherein said recess is sized so that at least a portion of said product may be press-fit therein.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 03 January 2000 (03.01.00) ; original claims 6 and 17cancelled ; original claims 1,3,7-8,10,15,18-19 and 24 amended ; remaining claims unchanged (4 pages)]

1 CLAIM AS MY INVENTION:

1 . A product display system, comprising: a display panel;

5 a plurality of display devices, each of said display devices being differently shaped to respectively retain a differently shaped product therein; each of said display devices including means for enabling said display device to be repeatedly secured to and removed from said display panel; each of said display devices being positionable at any location and orientation 10 on said display panel; and each of said display devices having means for enabling a product to be repeatedly secured to and removed from said display device.

2. The product display system of claim 1 , wherein said display panel 15 comprises a substantially planar display surface.

3. The product display system of claim 1, wherein said means for enabling a product to be repeatedly secured to and removed from said display device comprises a product recess for receiving at least a portion of said product

20 therein; said recess generally conforming to the shape of said product and having an open front side to allow easy removal of said product from said recess.

4. The product display system of ciaim 3, wherein said plurality of

25 display devices comprises a first display device and a second display device; and said recess of said first display device having a different shape than said recess of said second display device.

5. The product display system of claim 4, wherein said plurality of 30 display devices further comprises a third display device; said recess of said third display device having a different shape than both said recess of said first display device and said recess of said second display device.

7. The product display system of claim 3, wherein said means for enabling a product to be repeatedly secured to and removed from said display device comprises a tab.

8. The product display system of claim 3, wherein said product includes a ferromagnetic portion and said means for enabling a product to be repeatedly secured to and removed from said display device comprises a magnet.

10. The product display system of claim 1, wherein said means for enabling said display device to be repeatedly secured to and removed from said display panel comprises a magnet; and said display panel further comprises a ferromagnetic portion.

12. The product display system of claim 11 , wherein each of said display devices further includes a rear side; and said means for providing a stable surface for said display device to rest against said display panel comprises a lip located on said rear side.

13. The product display system of claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of display devices is shaped to retain two products.

15. A display device, comprising: a plastic form having a front side and a rear side, a recess in said form for receiving a singie solid product therein, and means for providing a stable surface for said rear side to rest against an outside support; said recess being shaped to generally conform to the shape of said solid product and being open on said front side and having means for enabling said solid product to be repeatedly secured to and removed from said form; and a magnet affixed to said form.

16. The display device of claim 15, wherein said plastic form further includes a surface for receiving a label.

18. The display device of claim 15, wherein said means for enabling said solid product to be repeatedly secured to and removed from said form comprises a tab.

19. The display device of claim 15, wherein said product includes a ferromagnetic portion and said means for enabling said solid product to be repeatedly secured to and removed from said form comprises a magnet.

22. The display device of claim 15, wherein said means for providing a stable surface for said rear side to rest against an outside support comprises a substantially planar lip located on said rear side.

24. A product display system, comprising: a display panel comprised of ferromagnetic material; a plurality of differently shaped display devices, each of said display devices being shaped to retain a single product therein; each of said display devices including: a product recess for receiving a product therein, said recess generally conforming to the shape of said product and having an open front side to allow easy removal of said product from said product recess; a magnet for removably securing said display device to said display panel; a rear side; a lip located on said rear side for providing a stable surface for said display device to rest against said display panel; and a surface for receiving a label.