BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Attractive, open display of an abundance of merchandise, conducive of favorable purchasing
decisions whether or not a patron is assisted by a salesperson is potentially at odds
with limiting inventory costs, reducing the amount of warehousing and other handling,
controlling pilferage, and limiting losses attributable to shop worn or out-of-date
merchandise. A variety of responses have occurred in response to these problems.
[0002] One direction taken has been to install an increasing number of security systems
at the retail location including means of surveillance and alarm systems. This, however,
addresses only the problem of shrinkage attributable to pilferage and tends to create
an atmosphere of distrust not conducive to selling.
[0003] Another direction taken has been toward limiting the merchandise displayed, as for
example in the number of catalog showrooms that have arisen in recent years. This
tackles the problems of inventory size, handling, and losses due to out-of-date merchandise,
while usually exposing only a single item to wear-and-tear or possible theft while
on showroom display.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention eliminates the need for exhibition of the merchandise to the
public at the retail location, but instead affords information via display of product
information modules -- cards, packets, or similar tactile elements of durable design
and material that attractively advertise availability of the product at that outlet
and inform the clientele with respect to the product. It substitutes mass display
of each item carried with mass display of such information modules, in an array providing
high density but individually visible display. And, as will be evident in the particular
embodiment described and in the detailed description of the invention, it substitutes
physical examination of a particular sample with physical manipulation of the product
information module, but without requiring a comparable level of handling by store
personnel and without requiring dedication of a comparable amount of floor space.
[0005] In short, the invention contemplates the provision of support means for holding
information display means in the form of items or modules having information on front
and back sides thereof in high density but individually visible concentration while
allowing each and any module to be manipulated by a prospective customer for ready
visual access to all the information provided thereon.
[0006] The support means provided by the invention comprises an extrusion with which the
information display means is so associated that the information is readily accessible.
In a preferred embodiment, the support means includes flexible attachment means for
permitting the manipulation of the information display means. The support means can
be an elongate extrusion mountable on a wall or other surface in a position to allow
viewing of the information display means or product information modules. The support
means comprises a relatively rigid support having the flexible attachment means connected
thereto. The flexible attachment means preferably comprises a plurality of flexible
strips extending from the support and having free ends that terminate in attaching
means adapted to grip the information display means.
[0007] One class of merchandise for which the invention is particularly adapted is that
of prerecorded video tapes. Presently tapes of concerts, motion pictures, or the like
are distributed with a casette housing provided with pictures and other labelling
that identify the contents, artists, producers, and such other possible aids to selection
as plot synopsis, criical acclaims, and awards. A retailer may store the cassette
packages on shelves accessible to the public or maintain them behind a counter, in
which case the sales impact of the labelling is substantially reduced. If offering
the tapes for rent, the cassette is often removed and the housing only displayed on
shelving, requiring that the housing be brought to the checkout counter and tape and
housing matched. The alternative practice of openly displaying cassette and housing
together, or perhaps cassette with specialized housing, requires a good deal of confidence
in the store's other security measures. All of the above practices have drawbacks
that are overcome by such application of time, space, or restrictive practices that
purveying of such tapes has been primarily limited to specialty stores.
[0008] Application of the invention would permit attractive displays for video cassettes
marketed with or without cassette housings. Information that now goes on the housing
package would be placed on the product information module, employing space on the
front and back of the module. The modules need not be packaged together with each
video tape, but could be supplied to the retailer by an authorized distributor. They
would be attached to a series of elongate support elements in an individually hinged
manner as taught by the invention. A customer would make his selection at the array
presented, being able to view the modules, read information contained thereon front
or back by turning it on its hinge, and obtain his selection at the checkout having
access to the actual cassette. Encoded slips may be supplied at the location of the
product information module for use at the checkout, or some other means of relating
customer selection may be employed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0009]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of part of a display system in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 indicating an alternative functionality
of the preferred embodiment;
Fig. 3 is an exploded end view, drawn to a larger scale, of elements that may be brought
together in the preferred embodiment;
Fig. 4 is a front view of an assembled display system in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 5 is a front view similar to Fig. 4 indicating the alternative functionality
also shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 is a front view of a wall mounted information display system in accordance
with the preferred embodiment of the invention and employing additionally the alternative
functionality of Figs. 2 and 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Reference is now made to Fig. 1 of the drawings which shows part of an information
display system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. A preferred
support of this invention in the form of a rail 10 made of synthetic resin or plastic
material is secured to a wall W by horizontally spaced screws 14. With additional
reference to Fig. 3, the rail 10 has integral upper and lower ribs 16 and 18 respectively
which define spaces or recesses R between such ribs 16, 18 and the wall W into which
the lips 26ʹ and 28ʹ of the support means 20 are snapped or slid. The support means
20 is of relatively complex cross-section, being extruded into such form and having
different portions 24, 24ʹ and 24ʺ possessing different mechanical properties for
reasons which will be explained hereinafter.
[0011] The portion 24 includes the upper and lower flanges 26 and 28 having the aforesaid
ribs 26ʹ and 28ʹ which are received in the spaces R, R. The flanges are spaced apart
so as respectively to snap fit over the ribs 16 and 18 of the plastic rail 10. The
portion 24 is made of relatively rigid plastic or synthetic resinous material and
is extruded integrally with the portion 24ʹ which is relatively flexible and is in
turn extruded integrally with the portion 24ʺ. The portion 24ʺ is less flexible than
the portion 24ʹ but more flexible than the portion 24. These mechanical properties
of the several portions are achieved by introducing the materials having the requisite,
corresponding properties side-by-side in the extrusion process.
[0012] The portion 24 forms an elongate support for an array of the product information
display means 36 so that a prospective customer may view the information on the front
side of each item attached to the support 24. Each display means is capable of being
manipulated by swinging it upwardly as indicated by the arrow A to the dotted line
position 43, the information on the reverse side of the means 36 then being accessible
to the prospective customer. The flexible attachment means provided by the portions
24ʹ and 24ʺ permit this manipulation. The portions 24ʹ and 24ʺ are divided into a
plurality of individual attachment means that extend serially the length of the support
24, cumulatively commensurate in length with the support 24 and accordingly of an
individual length fractional thereto. The notches 38 separate the individual attachment
means, formed of the aforesaid portions 24ʹ and 24ʺ, each from its neighboring individual
attachment means. It will be apparent that the notches 38 are made after extrusion
of the continuous support means 20. The free ends of the individual attachment means
24ʺ are formed into tubular clips 32 of C-shaped cross sections provided by the slots
34 extending the length of each clip 32.
[0013] Each product information display means 36 is of generally rectangular configuration
and comprises a graphics card 37 or two such graphics cards or sheets which provide
all the requisite information about the video tape, which graphics cards are enclosed
or encased in the clear plastic envelope 39. The side or face of the display means
36 which is normally exposed to the customer's view will usually be provided with
the title and an attractive picture and the reverse side of the display means facing
the wall will usually be provided with more detailed information about the corresponding
video tape. The plastic envelope 39 is preferably sealed to provide the information
display means in packet form. Further, this packet includes the tubular bead 41 which
is slightly larger in diameter than the interior of tubular clip 32. When the bead
41 is inserted into the tubular clip 32 either by forcing it through the slot 34 or
by sliding it lengthwise into the clip 32, an attachment between the product information
packet 36 and support means 20 is effected which permits the packet to be manipulated
so that its reverse side may be viewed by the prospective customer, as permitted
by flexure of the flexible portion 24ʹ. The spacing of the notches 38 and lengths
of the tubular clips 32 limited by the width of the packets 36, to allow each packet
to be manipulated without interfering with the orientation of neighboring packets
or information display means.
[0014] In Fig. 1, it will be appreciated that, because each information display means 26
is swung upwardly such as indicated by reference character 43, information on the
back of the packet will have to lie head to toe so that on the front of the label
to permit it to be easily read. Also, it will be noted that when the packet is released,
it will simply fall to the original position as shown by the central dispay means
36 in Fig. 1. If for any reason a particular display means 36 must be replaced, same
may be done either by snapping it out of its tubular clip 32 with a sharp pull or
by sliding it out lengthwise of the clip 32. Another display means 36 may then be
slid or snapped into the clip 32, and thus may the product information display means
36 be replaced or rearranged at will. It will also be appreciated that Fig. 1 illustrates
in phantom lines the lower portions of display means 36ʹ carried by a further support
means as illustrated in Fig. 4.
[0015] In order to assemble the display system as shown in Fig. 4, the rails 10 are first
spaced apart vertically at a distance D1 such that when the product information means
36 are mounted as shown in Fig. 4 each such means can be freely raised to view its
reverse side. In Fig. 4, all display cards hang from the tubular clips 32 and none
are inserted into the channel 60. Once the spacing has been set and the rails 10 secured,
the support means 20 can be cut to size and slid into place. The product information
modules 36 can next be sorted and arranged and then inserted into their appropriate
positions by use of the tubular clips 32. Finally, other labelling or indicia 46
may be applied to the surface 45. In addition or alternatively, product identification
label carriers 54 may be used. Fig. 3 illustrates the construction of such carriers
wherein it will be seen that each carrier comprises a vertical web 57 providing a
front surface 57ʹ to which the labelling may be applied, a front overhang 56 for ease
of grasping, and a hook portion 58 which allows the carrier to be hung over the top
edge of the web 47. The carriers may be taken by a customer and handed in to the sales
clerk.
[0016] The front side of the elongate support 24 is provided with two forwardly projecting
and mutually convergent ribs, 40 and 42, that define, with the front face 45, a wide
shallow channel 44 extending the length of the support means 20 and within which labels
such as indicated at 46 can be placed to contain further information such as identification
of the product advertised by a corresponding display means 36.
[0017] Still referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the upstanding portion 48 is joined to the web
47 by the bight 49 to define an upwarddly opening channel 60, said channel being dimensioned
so that additional product information means 36 or other ancillary display information
may be inserted thereinto. The ramp 52 projects upwardly and rearwardly from the upper
edge of the portion 48 to assure easy insertion of such elements into the channel
60.
[0018] Figs. 2 and 5 illustrate more clearly the alternative display arrangement described
above involving the use of the channel 60 but without the use of the flexible attaching
means 24ʹ, 24ʺ. Instead, a vertically spaced series of support means 20, 20ʹ and 20ʺ
are attached to the wall W through the intermediary of the supports 10, 10ʹ and 10ʺ.
The spacing D2 between the supports is such that the display means 36, 36a and 36b
associated with the several support means 20, 20ʹ and 20ʺ receive the display means
36, 36a and 36b with a higher density than is the case where, as in Fig. 4, the means
36 are all associated with the flexible attachment means 24ʹ, 24ʺ as was described
with relation to Figs. 1 and 3. This higher density is achieved by virtue of the fact
that since the portions 24ʹ and 24ʺ are not used, they may be overlapped by the display
means as shown.
[0019] With reference to Fig. 6, it will be appreciated that the capacity of each support
means can be doubled by a spacing D3 and use of both the tubular clips 32b and channel
60 previously described to display both the suspended product information means 36
and the channel-received means 36b. The suspended means will of course have to be
equipped with the edge bead 41 to hang from the clips 32b whereas the channel-received
means 36b do not require such beads.
[0020] Various modifications may be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described. The
invention may be practiced in display, information, or exhibit contexts other than
a retail outlet. The support means could be secured other than through a cooperative
rail element. Orientations other than horizontal may be employed. Surfaces to which
the system is attached may have fixed, moveable, or other characteristics. For example,
the support elements for modules below a comfortable viewing height could be suspended
on vertical strips formed of a flexible material so that they could be lifted to examine
modules attached thereto. In addition, attachment means other than tubular clips could
be employed. Or the clips could be given smaller, fractional lengths to permit retention
of modules in a range of sizes.
[0021] The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed or suggested
variants thereof. Its scope is properly determined and is made apparent by the appended
claims.
1. A merchandise identification system comprising a plurality of display items separate
and remote from available merchandise and each item provided on opposite sides thereof
with information concerning corresponding merchandise, and support means for holding
said items in high density but individually visible concentration while allowing
each and any item to be manipulated by a prospective purchaser for ready visual access
to all the information provided by such item.
2. A merchandise identification system as defined in claim 1 wherein said support
means comprises an elongate support and a plurality of individual flexible members
integral with said support and cumulatively providing a length commensurate with
that of said support.
3. A system as defined in claim 2 wherein said support means is formed of material
which is stiffer than the material from which said flexible members are formed.
4. A system as defined in claim 3 wherein said flexible members are in the form of
webs.
5. A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said support means also includes attaching
means at the free edges of said flexible members.
6. A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said attaching means is formed of material
which is stiffer than the material from which said flexible members are formed.
7. A system as defined in claim 6 wherein said attaching means is of longitudinally
separated and tubular form.
8. A system as defined in claim 7 wherein said support means is in the form of an
extrusion.
9. In a display assembly, integral support means of elongate form adapted to carry
a plurality of substantially flat display packets bearing information on both sides
thereof so that each display packet is capable of being manipulated relative to said
support means so that a person may individually access both sides of each display
packet, said support means comprising an elongate base portion of relatively rigid
material adapted to be attached to a rigid surface, a plurality of separate attaching
portions adapted to receive said display packets and each being of a length which
is a fraction of the length of said base portion and cumulatively extending the length
of said base portion, and flexible means of relatively flexible material for integrally
but separately joining said base portion to said attaching portions.
10. In a display assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein said support means is an extrusion.
11. A system for displaying information relative to merchandise available for purchase
or rental where selection of merchandise is accomplished through viewing of product
information items each having merchandise information on both front and reverse faces
thereof concerning corresponding merchandise products, said system comprising support
means for supporting a plurality of product information items in an array where front
faces of such product information items are open to view, and including attachment
means for permitting individual manipulation of each product information item so that
a reverse face thereof may be viewed.
12. A system as defined in claim 11 wherein said support means comprises an elongate
base portion of relatively rigid material adapted to be attached to a support, a plurality
of separate carrying portions adapted to receive the items and each of a length which
is a fraction of the length of said base portion, and an intermediate portion of relatively
flexible material for integrally joining said base portion to said carrying portions
to allow independent movement of each of said carrying portions by flexure of said
intermediate portion.
13. A system as defined in claim 12 wherein said carrying portions are formed of a
material having a flexibility intermediate between that of said intermediate portion
and that of said base portion.
14. A system as defined in claim 13 wherein said base portion comprises flange means
having parallel flange elements for detachably engaging a rail fixed to a wall.
15. A system as defined in any one of claims 11-14 wherein said support means is an
extrusion of synthetic resinous material.
16. A merchandise identification system comprising a plurality of display items separate
and remote from available merchandise and each item provided on opposite sides thereof
with information concerning corresponding merchandise, and a plurality of separate
support means for holding said items in rows and columns which are of high density,
closely spaced relation in which the information on one side of each of the items
is individually visible while allowing each and any item to be manipulated by a
prospective purchaser for ready visual access to the information provided by the opposite
side of each such item.
17. A merchandise identification system as defined in claim 16 wherein each support
means comprises a rigid base portion adapted to be attached to a support such as a
wall, each base portion having first means for supporting a row of items in upstanding
relation thereto and second means for supporting a row of items in suspended relation
therefrom.
18. A merchandise identification system as defined in claim 17 wherein said first
means comprises a channel for receiving lower edge portions of said items.
19. A merchandise identification system as defined in claim 18 including guide means
for guiding an item inserted into said channel.
20. A merchandise identification system as defined in claim 19 wherein said guide
means is a ramp integral with a wall of said channel and extending upwardly and rearwardly
therefrom.
21. A merchandise identification system as defined in claim 18 wherein said second
means comprises a plurality of flexible webs depending from each said base and each
web terminating in a lower edge providing releasable attaching means for carrying
an individual item.
22. A merchandise identification system as defined in claim 21 wherein each attaching
means comprises a longitudinally split tube.
23. A merchandise identification system as defined in claim 22 wherein said support
means is an extrusion of synthetic resinous material.
24. A merchandise identification system as defined in claim 23 wherein said webs are
more flexible than said base and said attaching means.
25. A merchandise identification system as defined in claim 24 wherein each said base
is provided with parallel flanges for removably securing each such base to a wall-mounted
rail.
26. A merchandise identification system as defined in claim 17 wherein said first
means supports said items in overlapping relation to said base and said second means
suspends said items in spaced relation below said base.