[0001] This invention relates to a shelving/display and merchandising system for stores
and for other uses.
[0002] A system in accordance with the invention comprises at least a pair of elongate runner
elements which are arranged, in use, to extend generally horizontally one above the
other, each runner element having at regular intervals along its length slots or other
formations, at least one post member having a tongue or other formation at each end
for releasable engagement with a slot or other formation in one of the runner elements,
the post members extending, in use, between the two runner elements and being releasably
engaged therewith, and at least one bracket element for releasable attachment to the
post element.
[0003] The system defined above makes it possible to arrange display units on a wall or
other support in many different configurations and is more flexible than known systems
which employ a top rail and posts hung on the top rail and either engaging the floor
or provided with a foot for engaging the wall or other support. Furthermore, the post
members are attached to the runner elements top and bottom, thereby preventing swinging
on other disturbance of the posts or loads carried thereby.
[0004] In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a runner/post assembly of an example system in accordance
with the invention;
Figure 2 is an end view of the same assembly;
Figure 3 is an elevation of a complex display arrangement made up using the system;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the same system used to create an office workstation
arrangement;
Figure 5 is a detail section of the upper runner element used in Figure 4;
Figures 6 to 10 are perspective views of various different brackets which can be used
in the example of the system thus far described;
Figure 11 is a section showing a runner element for a second embodiment of the invention;
and
Figure 12 is a section showing the post member used with the runner element shown
in Figure 11.
[0005] Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, the system shown utilises horizontally extending
runner elements 10, which are of channel shaped configuration. The two side flanges
of each runner element has a row of slots therein spaced at regular intervals along
the length of the runner element. At its mouth, the channel 10 may have one or more
in-turned fins 10b to hold a cover plate (Figure 2).
[0006] The system also includes posts 12, which are also of channel-shaped material. In
this case the base web of the channel is formed with two rows of slots arranged at
regularly spaced intervals along the posts. At each end, each post is provided with
a tongue element 12b, 12c one of these being longer than the other. The tongues are
shaped and dimensioned to be received by the slots 10a.
[0007] As will be seen from Figures 1 and 2 the posts can be assembled with the runners
after the latter have been fixed to the wall or other support 13 at the appropriate
vertical spacing, by inserting the longer tongue 12b on each post into a slot in the
lower flange of the upper runner element, swinging the post in above the lower runner
element and lowering the post so that a slot in the upper flange of the lower runner
element receives the shorter tongue 12c. The post is now captive and can be removed
only by following the reverse sequence of operations.
[0008] The lengths of the body of the post 12, and its two tongues are such that the sum
of the lengths of the body and the shorter tongue is less than the spacing between
the runner elements, whilst the sum of the lengths of the body and the longer tongue
exceeds such spacing.
[0009] Whilst slotted flanged channels have been employed as runner elements and posts with
projecting tongues have been employed in the above described embodiment, it will be
understood that other formations could be used. For example the slots could be replaced
by round holes and each post could have two projecting dowels on each end.
[0010] Various brackets which can be used with the system are shown in Figures 6 to 10 and,
in each these have hooked tongues to fit the slots 12a in the posts.
[0011] Figure 3 shows a complex array of different shelves and brackets in a display including
a three runner section A and a four runner section B. Such a configuration can easily
be specified by a display designer who can note which slots are to be used.
[0012] Figure 4 shows a simple application of the system, namely a simple wall-hung computer
workstation. Here, the upper and lower runner elements conceal wiring and appropriate
sockets 20 for connection to this wiring a located in the front plate of the runner
elements.
[0013] Figures 11 and 12 are cross-sections showing the runner element 110 and the post
member 112 of another embodiment of the invention. In this case the runner element
is again basically of channel shaped configuration having a base web 110a and spaced
side flanges 110b. Each side flange 110b is formed with an external groove 110c and
there are slots 110d cut through from the base of each groove 110c to the interior
of the channel at regularly spaced positions along the length of the runner element.
A pair of front fins 110e extend from the two side flanges 110b across the mouth of
the channel and each side flange has an undercut 110f adjacent the fin to receive
a front trim plate.
[0014] The post member 112 is of substantially semi-elliptical cross-section with a deep
groove 112a running along its length. There is an internal chamber 112b within the
post which is shaped to receive at its ends push-fit elements to provide fitting tongues
similar to those included in the example shown in Figures 1 and 2. There is a row
of uniformly spaced slots 112c in a web which separates the deep groove in the post
member from the internal chamber. The brackets (not shown) which are used with the
post 112 have a flat tongue to be received in the groove 112a and hooks on this tongue
to engage in the slots 112c.
[0015] The sections shown in Figures 11 and 12 are used in exactly the same way as those
shown in Figures 1 and 2. The location of the slots 110d in grooves in the runner
elements 110 tends to make it more difficult for the casual observer to notice that
the runner elements are, in fact, slotted, since the grooves create shadows which
conceal the slots. Similarly the slot 112c in the post members are well concealed
by being located at the base of a deep groove. Hence, the system gives the impression
of one which has continuous un-slotted components.
1. A shelving/display and merchandising system for stores and other uses, including elongate
runners (10, 110) intended to extend generally horizontally, post members (12, 112)
which can be releasably attached to the runner elements (10, 110) and bracket elements
for releasable attachment to the post members (12, 112), characterised in that the
runner elements (10, 110) are arranged in a pair one above the other and are formed
at positions spaced along their lengths with slots (10a, 110d) or other formations
and in that the post members (12, 112) are each provided at each end with a tongue
(12a, 12b) or other formation for releasable engagement with one of the slots (10a,
110d) (or other formations) in one of the runner elements, each post member (12, 112)
extending in use between the two runner elements (10) and being releasably engaged
therewith.
2. A system as claimed in Claim 1, in which the runner elements (10) are in the form
of elongate channels, the slots being formed in opposite side flanges thereof.
3. A system as claimed in Claim 2, in which each post member is provided with a tongue
at each end projecting longitudinally of the post element.
4. A system as claimed in Claim 3, in which said tongues are of different lengths.
5. A system as claimed in Claim 4, in which the lengths of a body portion the post member
and its two tongues are such that the sum of the lengths of the body portion and the
shorter tongue (12c) is less than the spacing between the runner elements and the
sum of the lengths of the body portion and the longer tongue (12b) is greater than
the spacing between the runner elements.
6. A system as claimed in Claim 2, in which each side flange (110b) of each runner element
(110) is formed with an external groove (110c), the slots (110d) being formed in the
base of such groove.
7. A system as claimed in Claim 2, in which said channel-shaped runner elements (110
have a pair of front fins (110e) extending towards one another across the mouth of
the channel.
8. A system as claimed in Claim 7, in which each side flange has an undercut (110f) adjacent
the fin to receive and retain a co-acting front trim plate.
9. A system as claimed in Claim 1, in which each post member (112) is of substantially
semi-elliptical cross-section and is formed with a groove (112a) running along its
length, slots (112c) for receiving tongues on the bracket elements being formed in
the base of the groove.