[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly for exhibitors of products of the type
of skirting boards, profiles for tiles, staff angles and the like, profiles for bathroom
fittings and decorative profiles in general.
[0002] Many product exhibitors are known which are generally constituted by a supporting
frame for panels, shelves, shelf brackets and the like which are adapted to accommodate
products for sale and/or product samples.
[0003] In particular, the product samples are usually firmly coupled, generally by adhesive
bonding, to the panel, shelf, shelf bracket and the like, so as to be protected against
theft.
[0004] Such contrivance however has, firstly, the disadvantage of making it difficult, for
the user, to make comparisons between different products and/or samples since it is
obviously not possible to move them according to their needs.
[0005] In addition the substance used for bonding the samples with adhesive can, with time,
lose its properties and thus the samples can detach themselves from the panel.
[0006] Moreover, when a specific product goes out of production, the corresponding sample
must be removed so as to not cause confusion for the consumer, with the consequent
risk that, during the removal operation, the surface paint that covers the panel can
be damaged.
[0007] The aim of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, by providing
an assembly for product exhibitors that allows an easy and immediate comparison between
different products and/or samples.
[0008] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide an assembly for product
exhibitors that makes it possible to remove and/or substitute the products and/or
product samples at any time in a simple and quick manner.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly for product exhibitors
which is low-cost, relatively easily and practically implemented and safely applied.
[0010] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter
are achieved by an assembly for product exhibitors, exhibitors comprising a supporting
frame for a panel for accommodating at least one laminar element,
characterized in that said panel comprises coupling means for at least one first component selected from
at least one batten and said at least one laminar element and sliding anchoring elements
for at least one second component selected from said at least one laminar element
and said at least one batten, said at least one second component being able to slide
along said anchoring elements along a direction which is parallel to an edge of said
at least one first component, defining, along the sliding stroke, at least one configuration
of juxtaposition of a corner edge of said at least one second component with said
edge of said at least one first component.
[0011] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent
from the description of two preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the assembly
for product exhibitors according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting
example in the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembly for product exhibitors according to
the invention, in a first embodiment;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the assembly for product exhibitors
according to the invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a detail of the assembly for product exhibitors
according to the invention, in a second embodiment.
[0012] With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates an assembly
for product exhibitors, such exhibitors 2 comprising a supporting frame 3 for a panel
4 for accommodating at least one laminar element 5.
[0013] According to the invention, the panel 4 comprises coupling means for at least one
first component 6 selected from at least one batten 7 and at least one laminar element
5, and sliding anchoring elements 8 for at least one second component 9 selected from
at least one laminar element 5 and at least one batten 7.
[0014] In particular, if the first component 6 is a batten 7, the locking elements can be
constituted by a crosspiece which is integral with the panel 4, provided with projections
and indentations that are compatible with the removable insertion of the battens 7.
[0015] The possibility is not excluded of using contrivances of a different nature to secure
the first component 6 to the panel 4.
[0016] The second component 9 is slideable along the anchoring elements 8 along a direction
which is parallel to an edge 10 of the at least one first component 6.
[0017] More specifically, the second component 9 defines, along the sliding stroke, at least
one configuration of juxtaposition of a corner edge 11 of the at least one second
component 9 with the edge 10 of the at least one first component 6.
[0018] The second component 9, by sliding along the sliding anchoring elements 8, can thus
be brought near the first component 6, allowing a direct comparison between the two
components 6 and 9.
[0019] In this manner the user, before making a purchase, can verify whether the match of
colors or materials corresponds to his expectations and can thus fully satisfy his
requirements.
[0020] According to an embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, the panel
4 can comprise a plurality of first components 6 which are arranged in series and
can slide along the direction of sliding of the second component 9.
[0021] The second component 9, by sliding along the sliding anchoring elements 8, can thus
be placed alongside a plurality of first components 6, thus making it possible to
evaluate different purchasing alternatives.
[0022] According to another embodiment, which is particularly simple and effective, the
panel 4 can comprise a plurality of second components 9 which are arranged in series
and aligned along the sliding anchoring elements 8.
[0023] The different components 9, by sliding along the sliding anchoring elements 8, can
thus be individually placed alongside the first component 6, thus making it possible
to evaluate different purchasing alternatives.
[0024] The possibility is not excluded of providing assemblies of exhibitors 1 which are
provided with panels 4 comprising a plurality of first components 6, which are arranged
in series and can slide along the direction of sliding of the second component 9,
and a plurality of second components 9, which are arranged in series and aligned along
the sliding anchoring elements 8.
[0025] In such case, the user can make a comparison, not only between a first component
6 and a second component 9, but between a plurality of first components 6 and second
components 9, thus being able to directly evaluate alternative solutions and different
matches, and thus having more possibilities of choice.
[0026] According to a different embodiment of particular utility, the panel 4 can be provided
with a plurality of sliding anchoring elements 8 for at least one respective second
component 9.
[0027] More specifically, the sliding anchoring elements 9 can be constituted by a substantially
C-shaped profiled element 12 for supporting the at least one second component 9.
[0028] Such shape enables the easy and quick insertion and extraction, as well as slideability,
of the second component 9, thus making it possible to substitute it at any time.
[0029] Conveniently, the assembly 1 according to the invention can comprise closure units
(of the type of small, removable fasteners, latches, or the like), arranged at the
sides of each slideable anchoring element 9 (preferably, but not exclusively, constituted
by the profiled element 12).
[0030] Such units thus prevent, during the normal use of the assembly 1 according to the
invention, the second components 9 from accidentally exiting their seat. Vice versa,
if it is desired to remove and substitute the second component 9, be it constituted
by a laminar element 5 or by a batten 7, it is possible to temporarily remove the
secure coupling from the units, in order to take out the second component 9 and proceed
with its substitution (for example, in order to present elements of a new range or
collection to the public), finally restoring the coupling constituted by the units
introduced above.
[0031] The laminar element 5 can be made of a material preferably selected from ceramic,
wood, composite material, aluminum, polymers and the like.
[0032] The batten 7 can be made of a material preferably selected from ceramic, wood, composite
material, aluminum, polymers and the like.
[0033] According to a different and particularly practical embodiment, the laminar element
5 can be a display screen 13 which is functionally associated with a user-managed
control device for selecting the image to be shown on the screen 13.
[0034] If the range of products of the company is very wide, and in particular provides
for a plurality of color variations, the dimensions of the panel 4, in order for it
to be able to accommodate every single product sample, could be too large and as a
consequence prohibitive.
[0035] The presence of the screen 13 thus makes it possible to overcome such limitation.
[0036] The user can, by means of a keypad, select the type of product to evaluate, and it
will thus be displayed on the screen 13 enabling the direct comparison thereof with
a different component.
[0037] The screen 13 can thus be slideably associated with the anchoring elements 8 (as
in the accompanying Figure 3), so as to enable the juxtaposition of a corner edge
11 thereof with the edge of various first components 6, which are arranged substantially
aligned parallel to the corner edge 11.
[0038] Moreover the possibility is not ruled out of providing assemblies 1 according to
the invention in which screens 13 can be juxtaposed according to various mutual arrangements
with one or more first components 6 and/or with second components 9 (respectively
associated with one or more coupling means and/or with one or more anchoring elements
8), without departing from the scope of protection claimed herein.
[0039] It should be noted, moreover, that the closure units described in the above paragraphs
(or others similar thereto) can also be provided if the second component 9 is a laminar
element 5 of the type of a screen 13. In fact the possibility is not ruled out, while
remaining within the scope of protection claimed herein, that the screens 13 can also
be removed and substituted, depending on the specific requirements.
[0040] Advantageously, the assembly for product exhibitors 1 according to the invention
in fact enables an easy and immediate comparison between different products, and/or
product samples.
[0041] A plurality of second components 9, by sliding along the sliding anchoring elements
8, can in fact be placed alongside a plurality of first components 6, thus allowing
a direct comparison of the different components 6 and 9.
[0042] In this manner the user, before making a purchase, can verify whether the match of
colors or materials corresponds to his expectations of the product and can fully satisfy
their requirements.
[0043] Conveniently, the assembly for product exhibitors 1 makes it possible to remove and/or
substitute the products and/or the product samples at any time in a simple and quick
manner, thanks to the particular "C"-shape of the sliding anchoring elements 9 which
enable the easy and quick insertion and extraction, as well as slideability, of the
second component 9.
[0044] In practice it has been found that the assembly for product exhibitors 1, according
to the invention, fully achieves the set aim in that the assembly for product exhibitors
enables an easy and immediate comparison between different products and/or product
samples.
[0045] The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations,
all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details
may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.
[0046] In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific
examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing
in other embodiments.
[0047] Moreover, it should be noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting
process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.
[0048] In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according
to requirements and to the state of the art.
[0049] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No.
BO2011A000739 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
[0050] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs,
those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility
of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect
on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference
signs.
1. An assembly for product exhibitors, exhibitors (2) comprising a supporting frame (3)
for a panel (4) for accommodating at least one laminar element (5), characterized in that said panel (4) comprises coupling means for at least one first component (6) selected
from at least one batten (7) and said at least one laminar element (5) and sliding
anchoring elements (8) for at least one second component (9) selected from said at
least one laminar element (5) and said at least one batten (7), said at least one
second component (9) being able to slide along said anchoring elements (8) along a
direction which is parallel to an edge (10) of said at least one first component (6),
defining, along the sliding stroke, at least one configuration of juxtaposition of
a corner edge (11) of said at least one second component (9) with said edge of said
at least one first component (6).
2. The assembly for product exhibitors according to claim 1, characterized in that said panel (4) comprises a plurality of first components (6) which are arranged in
series and can slide along the direction of sliding of said second component (9).
3. The assembly for product exhibitors according to claim 1, characterized in that said panel (4) comprises a plurality of second components (9) which are arranged
in series and aligned along said sliding anchoring elements (8).
4. The assembly for product exhibitors according to claim 1, characterized in that said panel (4) is provided with a plurality of said sliding anchoring elements (8)
for at least one respective second component (9).
5. The assembly for product exhibitors according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that said sliding anchoring elements (8) are constituted by a substantially C-shaped profiled
element (12) for supporting said at least one second component (9).
6. The assembly for product exhibitors according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that it comprises removable closure units, which are arranged at the sides of each one
of said sliding anchoring elements (9).
7. The assembly for product exhibitors according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that said laminar element (9) is made of a material preferably selected from ceramic,
wood, composite material, aluminum and the like.
8. The assembly for product exhibitors according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that said batten (7) is made of a material preferably selected from ceramic, wood, composite
material, aluminum and the like.
9. The assembly for product exhibitors according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that said laminar element (5) is a display screen (13) which is functionally associated
with a user-managed control device for selecting the image to be shown on said screen
(13).