Display device

• US 20030230095A1
• Filed: 06/18/2002
• Published: 12/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hill Phoenix Incorporated (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation Incorporated (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Kahler, Shawn M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,745,588 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/155
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 2003/0473 Vending or display tables
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 2005/165 with inclined display surface
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/0486 for charging, displaying or discharging the articles
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0087 movable around an axis

Abstract

An adjustable angle display device for holding and displaying objects includes a base portion, a display portion coupled to the base portion and adapted to pivot about a pivot point, and a positioning device having a first end coupled to the base portion and a second end coupled to the display portion, the positioning device adapted to adjustably position the display portion in a first position and a second position relative to the base. A method of providing an adjustable angle display device includes pivotally coupling a first end of a display portion to a base portion, providing a positioning device to selectively raise and lower a second end of the display device relative to the base portion, coupling the positioning device in operable engagement with the base portion and the display portion, and operating the positioning device to selectively adjust a display angle of the display device.

Claims

1. A temperature controlled display device having an adjustable angle display system for holding and displaying objects, comprising:

a base portion;

a display portion coupled to the base portion and adapted to pivot about a pivot point; and

a positioning device having a first end coupled to the base portion and a second end coupled to the display portion, the positioning device configured to adjustably position the display portion in a first position and a second position relative to the base portion.

2. The temperature controlled display device of claim 1, wherein the display portion is adapted to display refrigerated objects.

3. The temperature controlled display device of claim 1, wherein the base portion houses a refrigeration system in communication with at least one cooling interface in the display portion.

4. The temperature controlled display device of claim 3, further comprising at least one flexible hose adapted to couple the refrigeration system to the cooling interface.

5. The temperature controlled display device of claim 1, wherein the positioning device includes an elongated telescoping device having a fixed member and an extension member.

6. The temperature controlled display device of claim 5, wherein the extension member is selectively extendable and retractable relative to the fixed member by a threaded drive device.

7. The temperature controlled display device of claim 5, wherein the positioning device includes a linkage member operably engaging the extension member and the display portion.

8. The temperature controlled display device of claim 5, wherein the elongated telescoping device is configured substantially horizontally.

9. The temperature controlled display device of claim 1, wherein the pivot point is located at a front end of the display device and the positioning device is adapted to raise and lower a rear end of the display portion to provide a plurality of adjustable display positions.

10. The temperature controlled display device of claim 1, further comprising at least one mobile interface coupled to the base and adapted to selectively position the temperature controlled display device in a desired location.

11. A method of providing an adjustable angle display device for a temperature controlled case, the method comprising:

pivotally coupling a first end of a display portion to a base portion;

providing a positioning device adapted to selectively raise and lower a second end of the display portion relative to the base portion;

coupling the positioning device in operable engagement with the base portion and the display portion; and

operating the positioning device to selectively adjust a display angle of the display portion.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a refrigeration system in the base portion adapted to interface with at least one cooling interface in the display portion.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the positioning device includes a telescopingly extendable and retractable drive member.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the positioning device further includes a linkage device coupled to the display portion and operably engaging the telescopingly extendable and retractable drive member.

15. A refrigerated merchandiser for storing and displaying objects, and having an adjustable display portion,-comprising:

a base portion having a refrigeration device, the base portion supporting the adjustable display portion;

at least one cooling device in cooling communication with the adjustable display portion;

at least one coolant member communicating between the refrigeration device and the cooling device;

a positioning device operably engaging the base portion and the adjustable display portion, and adapted to adjust a display angle of the adjustable display portion relative to the base portion.

16. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 15, wherein a front end of the base portion is pivotally coupled to a front end of the adjustable display portion and the positioning device is operable to raise and lower a rear end of the adjustable display portion.

17. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 15, wherein the refrigeration device is a self-contained unit located within the base portion.

18. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 15, wherein the refrigeration device is coupled to a draw-out device.

19. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 15, wherein the positioning device includes a drive screw member rotatably coupled to a linkage.

20. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 15, wherein the coolant member is a flexible hose.

21. An adjustable angle display device, comprising:

a display portion pivotally supported on a base portion;

a display angle adjustment device operably engaging the display portion and the base portion, the adjustment device including a linear actuation device adapted to deliver an extension or retraction force in a first direction of motion, the linear actuation device being coupled to a linkage device adapted to move the display portion in a second direction of motion.

22. The adjustable angle display device of claim 21, wherein the first direction of motion is substantially horizontal and the second direction of motion is substantially vertical.

23. The adjustable angle display device of claim 21, wherein a front end of the display portion is pivotally coupled to a front end of the base portion.

24. The adjustable angle display device of claim 21, wherein the adjustable angle display device is adapted for use in one of a supermarket, grocery store, deli, cafeteria, restaurant, or food service kitchen.

25. The adjustable angle display device of claim 21, wherein the linear actuation device is a drive screw member.

26. The adjustable angle display device of claim 21, wherein the display portion includes a cooling device adapted to cool objects.

27. The adjustable angle display device of claim 21, wherein the display portion is adjustably positionable in a plurality of angular positions relative to the base portion.