Adjustable merchandise display structure

• US 6,209,835 B1
• Filed: 09/16/1999
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Imperial Tobacco Limited (Imperial Tobacco Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Imperial Tobacco Limited (Imperial Tobacco Group PLC)
• Inventors: Martin, Andre, Walrath, John
• Primary Examiner(s): CHIN SHUE, ALVIN C
• Application Number:
  US09/398,160
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 248/279.1, 248/514, 248/729.15, 248/447.2, 248/231.71, 248/278.1, 248/447, 248/540, 248/536, 248/535, 248/229.1, 248/276.1, 248/286.1
• US Class Current: 248/276.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0085 Supplementary support fixed on the edge of a desk or table
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/08 secured to the wall, ceiling, or the like; Wall-bracket display devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/13 made of tubes or wire assemblies of elements of the same kind, e.g. stackable, A47B87/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/14 Tubular connecting elements for wire stands connections for rods or tubes in general F16B7/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/046 adapted to upward-downward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2092 comprising means allowing depth adjustment, i.e. forward-backward translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/28 Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/024 by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/068 being part of the undercarriage

Abstract

A merchandise display system has a carrier supported by an array of adjustably interconnecting arms from a mounting base. The mounting base is connectable to a mounting structure in a variety of different orientations so that the carrier can be displayed as desired. The mounting base has a clamp structure which is engageable with a horizontal counter edge, or with a vertical post or partition edge. Where no such edge is available the clamping structure can be detached allowing the mounting base to be mounted directly on a vertical wall surface, e.g. by wood screws.

Claims

1. A merchandise display system comprising a carrier supported by a plurality of adjustably interconnected arms, one said arm being received in a mounting base that is adapted for connection to a mounting structure, said mounting base comprising:

a) a U-shaped clamping bracket comprising a flat web plate from a first side of which project two parallel limbs which define with the web a channel, an adjustable screw-threaded clamp being associated with one said limb and operative to coact with the other said limb to clamp said bracket to the mounting structure;

b) an attachment plate which lies parallel to an opposite side of said web plate and is detachably connected to said web plate by threaded screws that pass through aligned holes in said web plate and said attachment plate respectively, said holes being positioned for mutual alignment in a plurality of different orientations of said plate relative to said web;

said attachment plate having connected thereto a sleeve that defines an axis lying parallel to said attachment plate, said sleeve being sized to slidably receive said one arm therein and including releasable locking means operative to secure said one arm at a selected longitudinal position therein;

a first swivel joint interconnecting an end of said one arm with an adjacent end of a second said arm, said swivel joint including a swivel clamp that is operative to lock together said first and second arms in a selected relative orientation thereof;

wherein said attachment plate has a wall projecting therefrom, said sleeve being detachably supported on said wall by a fastener which constitutes said releasable locking means.

2. A merchandise display system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said holes in said web plate and in said attachment plate provide for interengagement of said plates at orientations that are angularly displaced by 90°

.

3. A merchandise display system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sleeve is of C-shaped configuration having a pair of limbs arranged in spaced parallel relationship on opposite sides of said wall;

said pair of limbs being spanned by said fastener which is operable to reduce a narrow gap between said limbs and thus constrict said sleeve around said one arm.

4. A merchandise display system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second of said arms is telescopically adjustable in length comprising a first tubular portion sized to receive a second tubular portion slidably therein, said second arm carrying an adjustable clamp means effective to lock said sections in a selected position of adjustment;

guideway means operating between said first and second sections to prevent relative rotation thereof.

5. A merchandise display system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the aligned holes in said web plate are screwthreaded and wherein said aligned holes in said attachment plate are unthreaded, in combination with attachment screws that are threaded to engage said threaded holes in said web plate and which have heads sized to lie against said attachment plate around said unthreaded holes.

6. A merchandise display system as claimed in claim 1 including a third arm attached to a second end of said second arm through an adjustable clamp, said carrier having an underside which defines a socket that is sized to receive said third arm.

7. A merchandise display system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said carrier comprises a horizontal support plate on the underside of which is provided said socket.

8. A merchandise display system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said adjustable clamping means comprises a clamping screw that extends in a direction at right angles to said limbs, said screw being in threaded engagement with one said limb and having a clamping head positioned in opposed relation to the other said limb and adjustable towards and away from said other limb upon rotation of said clamping screw.