Modular display apparatus

• US 7,308,987 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2004
• Issued: 12/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BEHR Process Corporation (Masco Corporation)
• Original Assignee: BEHR Process Corporation (Masco Corporation)
• Inventors: Richardson, Joseph Thomas, Warren, Gregory James, Lee, Thomas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Novosad, Jennifer E.
• Application Number:
  US11/022,392
• Publication Number:
  US 20060131253A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 211/189, 211/13.1, 211/50, 211/85.26, 211/126.4, 211/45, 211/126.2, 211/126.12, 211/134
• US Class Current: 211/189
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 11/10 Arrangements of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/00 Show stands, hangers, or shelves characterised by their constructional features
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/16 Platform-type show stands with flat, inclined, or curved upper surface
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/14 for pictures, e.g. in combination with books or seed-bags ; for cards, magazines, newspapers, books or booklike articles, e.g. audio/video cassettes racks or containers with dispensing arrangements A47F1/04; for cardboard panels, e.g. posters, A47F7/0042

Abstract

A plurality of separate display modules are interchangeably installed on a shelf of a cooperating cabinet structure and arranged to provide convexly curved display panels mounting selected arrangements of illuminated sample chips, an interactive video display, and brochure receptacles. The structure is provided with an integral sprinkler water distribution system and may include a two-part sample chip mounting mechanism which facilitates changing out of sample chips.

Claims

1. A display apparatus comprising:

a shelf;

a plurality of separate display modules, each adapted to display one of a plurality of items, each item being different from that displayed by any other of said plurality of modules;

wherein a first of said modules comprises;

first and second juxtaposed side panels, each having an inwardly facing groove formed therein, each groove having a curved contour; and

a flexible display panel, said panel lying flat in an unassembled state and being insertable into said respective grooves whereupon said panel assumes the curved contour defined by said respective grooves;

wherein a second of said modules comprises;

first and second side panels each of which has a bottom edge and a back edge, the back edge and bottom edge meeting at right angles to one another;

a front edge of each of said side panels being defined by a first vertical linear section, which meets with a convexly curved section, which then leads to a second vertical depending section;

said side panels being connected to a back panel, a floor panel, and an upper horizontal panel;

at least one horizontal deck panel located between said side panels;

at least one clear vertical face panel located between said side panels; and

wherein a third of said display modules comprises;

first and second vertical side panels spaced apart by a width selected to permit mounting of a video monitor;

the side panels further including horizontally extending display card mounting portions in which are formed grooves for receiving a display card; and

an interactive video monitor mounted between said first and second side panels.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said interactive video module comprises user selectable audio/visual segments.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first module comprises a module for displaying wood chips and wherein said second module comprises a module for displaying brochures.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a flat panel slideable into position beneath respective flat bottom panels of each of said first, second and third modules, said flat panel having a lip for abutting each of said plurality of modules, said flat panel being fastenable in an installed position to retain said modules in place on said shelf.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further including a plurality of slots in said flat panel cooperating with a plurality of guide studs for controlling the position of and guiding movement of said flat panel.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for retaining each of said first, second and third modules in position on said shelf.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said curved contour is convex.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible display panel mounts a first plurality of wood chips, each having a selected waterproofing coating applied thereto and wherein a second panel of a fourth of said plurality of display modules mounts a second plurality of wood chips each stained with a selected wood stain.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second module further includes:

a central panel;

first and second respective deck panels, the first deck panel being disposed between the first side panel and the central panel and the second deck panel being disposed between the central panel and the second side panel, respectively;

first and second clear vertical face panels mounted in respective slots in the respective side and central panels.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the face panels comprise plexi-glass anchored in place by a suitable adhesive.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the panels of each of said first, second and third modules are fabricated of suitable wood or wood substitute materials.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shelf comprises a portion of a cabinet having first and second rectangular vertically disposed end panels.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said interactive video monitor comprises a display viewing screen and user manipulated buttons, the buttons facilitating user step-through of a menu of an audio/video display.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said third module further presents four rows of wood chips selectively stained.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein each of the chips comprises a different species of wood each stained with the same stain, thereby illustrating to the consumer the different effects which the underlying wood has on the finished appearance of the stained wood.