Modular dispenser and display system

• US 6,010,017 A
• Filed: 07/02/1997
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visual Marketing, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Visual Marketing, Inc.
• Inventors: Nielsen, Dennis, Michaelis, Jack, Wendel, Donald, Barnes, Russ
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROBERT W
• Application Number:
  US08/887,098
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 211/133.4, 211/107, 211/131.1, 211/205, 211/182, 248/297.21, 248/230.2, 248/413, 248/218.4
• US Class Current: 211/133.4
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 11/10 Arrangements of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/04 Stands with a central pillar, e.g. tree type A47F5/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/08 secured to the wall, ceiling, or the like; Wall-bracket display devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0892 Suspended show stands, e.g. secured to the ceiling by means of cords or chains suspended shelves A47B43/003; uprights A47B96/14, e.g. secured to both ceiling and floor A47B96/1425
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/146 the show stands or the like being provided with compartments or pockets with theft prevention A47F7/0246

Abstract

The present invention provides a modular dispenser and display system having a foundational unit. A supporting collar can be mounted to the foundational unit at any position and at any height. The supporting collar also has a plurality of attachment means aligned vertically and peripherally on the supporting collar and one or more trays can be mounted to the supporting collar.

Claims

1. A modular dispenser and display system comprising:

a foundational unit;

a supporting collar that is moveably mounted to the foundational unit;

one or more trays that can be connected to the supporting collar;

a base;

a column connected to the base, the supporting collar movably mounted to the column; and

an inner column having an axis, a plurality of vertically aligned holes through the axis, and a fixed cross pin;

a screw that can be inserted through and extend beyond the holes in the inner column; and

a first hollow outer column that can fit around the inner column, having a lower edge with notches that can rest on the fixed cross pin whereby the outer column is supported by the pin; and

a second hollow outer column that can fit around the inner column, having aligned holes such that the length of the column can be adjusted by placing the screw through different holes in the inner column and the second outer column.

2. A modular dispenser and display system comprising:

a foundational unit;

a supporting collar having at least one peripherial attachment means, that is moveably mounted to the foundational unit;

one or more trays that can be connected to the supporting collar;

wherein the attachment means on the supporting collar is comprised of a slot that is open on a top surface and along an outside surface of the supporting collar.

3. A modular dispenser and display system comprising:

a foundational unit;

a supporting collar that is moveably mounted to the foundational unit;

one or more trays that can be connected to the supporting collar;

wherein the tray is radially expandable.

4. A modular dispenser and display system comprising:

a foundational unit;

a supporting collar that is moveably mounted to the foundational unit;

one or more trays that can be connected to the supporting collar;

wherein the tray has a bottom portion comprised of a plurality of interleaved fingers.

5. A modular dispenser and display system comprising:

a foundational unit;

a supporting collar that is moveably mounted to the foundational unit;

one or more trays that can be connected to the supporting collar; and

a clip, connecting the one or more trays to the supporting collar.

6. A modular dispenser and display system in accordance with claim 5 wherein the clip has opposed grooves, and the clip is mounted to the supporting collar.

7. A modular dispenser and display system in accordance with claim 6 wherein the clip is mounted to the supporting collar by a peg, registerable in a slot in the supporting collar, and a brace.

8. A modular dispenser and display system comprising:

a foundational unit;

a supporting collar that is moveably mounted to the foundational unit; and

one or more trays that can be connected to the supporting collar; and

one or more display units that can be connected to the supporting collar.

9. A modular dispenser and display system in accordance with claim 8 wherein the display unit further comprises:

a housing, having a channel for slideably accepting a clip or a support arm;

a front panel that can be attached to the housing; and

a frame that attaches to the housing and holds the front panel on the housing.

10. A modular dispenser and display system in accordance with claim 8 further comprising a clip connecting the display units to the supporting collar.

11. A modular dispenser and display system in accordance with claim 10 wherein the clip has a planar member and the clip is mounted to the supporting collar by a peg, registerable in a slot in the supporting collar, and a brace.

12. A modular dispenser and display system comprising:

a foundational unit;

a supporting collar that is moveably mounted to the foundational unit;

a support arm, with a planar surface, that can be connected to the supporting collar; and

one or more display units slideably mounted to the support arm.

13. A modular dispenser and display system in accordance with claim 12 wherein the support arm further comprises a first planar surface pivotably connected to a second planar surface.

14. A modular dispenser and display system comprising:

a foundational unit;

a supporting collar that is moveably mounted to the foundational unit;

a support arm, with a planar surface, that can be connected to the supporting collar;

one or more trays that can be connected to the supporting collar; and

a display unit slideably mounted to the support arm.

15. A modular dispenser and display system in accordance with claim 14 further comprising a light assembly contained within the display unit for illuminating a translucent sign.

16. A modular dispenser and display system comprising:

a foundational unit;

a supporting collar that is moveably mounted to the foundational unit;

a clip, having opposed grooves and having a peg registerable in the slots in the supporting collar;

a support arm, with a planar surface, slideably mounted between the opposed grooves in the clip; and

a display unit slideably mounted to the support arm.

17. A modular dispenser and display system comprising:

a foundational unit;

a supporting collar that is moveably mounted to the foundational unit;

a clip, having opposed grooves and having a peg registerable in the slots in the supporting collar;

a support arm, with a planar surface, slideably mounted between the opposed grooves in the clip;

a display unit slideably mounted to the support arm; and

a tray slideably mounted between the grooves in the clip.

18. A modular dispenser and display system comprising:

a foundational unit;

a supporting collar that is moveably mounted to the foundational unit;

a clip, having opposed grooves and having a peg registerable in the slots in the supporting collar;

a support arm, with a planar surface, slideably mounted between the opposed grooves in the clip;

a display unit slideably mounted to the support arm;

a tray slideably mounted between the grooves in the clip; and

a light assembly contained within the display unit wherein a translucent sign may be illuminated.