Disassemblable rack for display panels

Abstract

 The invention relates to a rack for display panels of the type framing a display panel (200) for displaying ceramic pieces, said rack (100) comprising at least a first top cross-member (101), a second bottom cross-member (102), a first vertical strut (103), and a second vertical strut (104) configured to assemble and disassemble the panel (200) from the rack (100) in three steps (1P, 2P, 3P): a first step (1P) in which the closing profile (10) of the struts (103,104) is opened by pulling the flange (7), unlocking the connection between the seat (6) and the projection (6') and rotating the closing profile (10) about the shaft defined by the cavity (5) and the end (5'); a second step (2P) in which the profile (24) vertically shifts until surpassing the step (28), said profile (24) being maintained in a higher position, locked between the flanges (25,25') and the step (28); and a third step (3P) in which it is possible to extract the panel (200) since it is released on the sides and at the top.

Description

Object of the Invention

[0001] The object of the present invention is a rack for display panels, of the type used in display cases for ceramic pieces. The present rack is completely disassemblable with the subsequent savings in terms of packaging volume, and it further allows the actual end customer to be able to assemble it without resorting to specialized labor, screwed assemblies and the aid of complicated tools.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Display cases with sliding panels are well known in the current state of the art; in that sense, the same applicant also owns European patent EP1623656, which describes a sliding panel display unit comprising a series of lower rails, arranged on a base and a series of guides in a top strut, to forming sliding means for corresponding vertical panels, which include a peripheral frame provided with means for closing and fixing a board holding the products to be displayed, the panels being provided with bottom wheels supported on the sliding base, characterized in that the bottom wheels include at least one gear ring coaxial and integral with the tread and projects peripherally from the same; and in that the rails are made up of a series of alignments of longitudinal grooves or windows formed in the base with which the gear rings of the wheels engage.

[0003] The applicant of the present invention patented a completely disassemblable automatic interchangeable panel in Spanish patent document with application number ES2115454.

[0004] Currently, the peripheral frames or racks framing the display panels in said cases are formed by a welded metal structure, making transport incredibly difficult, since said panels are usually large. Furthermore, assembling the panel in the rack, which is done when the case is assembled, requires the intervention of specialized labor.

Description of the Invention

[0005] To palliate the aforementioned problems, the rack for display panels, object of the present invention, is herein presented. Said rack comprises at least a first top cross-member, a second bottom cross-member, a first vertical strut, and a second vertical strut in which said struts in turn and at least comprise:

(a) a first tubular base profile with an essentially quadrangular section;

(b) a second closing profile connected in its closed position to the first base profile by the fitting thereof on a seat, blocking the rotating movement on the shaft defined by an open tubular cavity located in said base profile and a rounded end comprised in said second closing profile;

[0006] The first top cross-member in turn and at least comprises:

(a) a first tubular profile with a quadrangular section, and from which profile there are generated two flanges forming a rail suitable for inserting connection means, as well as a support flange arranged in the bottom part of the profile in its back part;
and in which, two flanges further configure a U-shaped gap in the top part of said first profile, such that the sliding of a plurality of runners is enabled; and

(b) a second profile with a section substantially in the form of a "9", inserted in the first profile between two flanges provided for such purpose, such that the vertical shifting of said second profile is allowed until surpassing a step, to be subsequently maintained in said raised position while working with the panel.

[0007] The second bottom cross-member in turn and at least comprises:

(a) a first and quadrangular tubular profile from which there are generated two vertical flanges in its top face, and in which the first inner flange for supporting the panel is considerably longer than the second outer flange; likewise, there are also two flanges generated from its inner face which delimit a rail suitable for inserting connection means; and a first elongated flange as well as a flap with an angular profile suitable for inserting an angle bearing the wheel are generated from the bottom face;

all configured to assemble and disassemble the panel from the rack in three steps:

• a first step in which the closing profile of the struts is opened by pulling the flange, unlocking the connection between the seat and the projection and rotating the closing profile about the shaft defined by the cavity and the end;
• a second step in which the profile vertically shifts until surpassing the step, said profile being maintained in a higher position, locked between the flanges and the step; and
• a third step in which it is possible to extract the panel since it is released on the sides and at the top.

[0008] The main advantage of the system is based on the fact that the entire rack is completely disassemblable, such that the end customer, with no screws or tools, is able to assemble the panel, with the subsequent cost savings this entails. The simplicity of the assembly likewise results in savings in transport and packaging costs.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] A set of drawings which aid in better understanding the invention and which are expressly related to an embodiment of said invention, presented as a non-limiting example thereof, is very briefly described below.

• Figure 1: Isometric view of a display panel for displaying ceramic pieces, including the rack object of the present invention. Detail A (Figure 1A) of the top corner of the panel, as well as the B-B' horizontal (Figure 1 B) and C-C' vertical (Figure 1 C) sections can be seen.
• Figure 2: Isometric view of a display panel for displaying ceramic pieces, including the rack object of the present invention, as according to its assembly and disassembly, including detail A (Figure 2A) and the B horizontal (Figure 2B) and C vertical (Figure 2C) sections.
• Figure 3: Views of the assembly of the vertical struts with the top and bottom cross-members, necessary steps for the assembly of the rack object of the present invention, including detail Figures 3A-3D, showing all the necessary steps for said assembly.
• Figure 4: Detail of the wheel-bearing angle and wheel riveted to the two bottom flanges, to both the bottom cross-member molding and to the angle inserted in the molding.
• Figure 5: View of the top guiding means by means of a runner, included in the rack object of the present invention. The figure includes detail views of the top corner of the rack (Figure 5A), a front detail of the assembly of the runner in the rack (Figure 5B), bottom view of the assembly of the runner in the traveling rails of the display case (Figure 5C) and top view of the same depiction (Figure 5D), as well as an isolated individual view of the actual runner (Figure 5E).
• Figure 6: Back view of the display panel including the rack object of the present invention and further showing the top part (Figure 6A), detail B of the inclusion of a central tie rod (Figure 6B), as well as a view representing the necessary steps for the assembly of said central tie rod (Figure 6C).
• Figure 7: General exploded view of the complete assembly of the rack object of the present invention.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

[0010] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the display panel (200) for displaying ceramic pieces is framed by a rack (100), in which said rack (100) in turn and at least comprises: a first top cross-member (101), a second bottom cross-member (102), a first vertical strut (103), and a second vertical strut (104), and in which the first and second struts (103,104) are essentially symmetrical and in turn and at least comprise:

(a) a first tubular base profile (1) with an essentially quadrangular section in turn and at least comprising:

• a first U-shaped flange (2) suitable for housing connection means and a tie rod (105), depicted in Figure 6, as well as serving to support the board or panel (200);
• a second U-shaped flange (3) configured as an inner rail for inserting connection means (300);
• a cylindrical cavity (4) configured for inserting a self-tapping screw and located in the inner part of the base body (1); and
• an open tubular cavity (5) located in one of the corners of the base body (1), suitable for housing a closing profile (10), said open tubular cavity (5) configuring the rotating shaft of said lock (10);

(b) a second closing profile (10) connected in its closed position to the first base profile (1) by the fitting thereof on a seat (6), blocking the rotating movement on the open tubular cavity (5); this second closing profile (10) in turn comprises:

• a rounded profile end (5') located at the end of a first flange (11), configured for fitting in the open tubular cavity (5) of the first base profile (1) such that it allows the swinging of the lock (10) on the base profile (1);
• a rounded inner projection (6') configured to be supported in the seat (6), blocking the rotating movement;
• a flange (7) configured to operate as a handle, in which it would be possible to be gripped by the user in the movements of locking and unlocking the struts (103,104).

[0011] The end of the lock (10) optionally has an open rail-type cavity (8) in which it is possible to insert any material, such that it dampens and reduces the noises due to the friction between the struts (103,104) and the panel (200).

[0012] The first top cross-member (101) in turn and at least comprises:

(a) a first tubular profile (20) with a quadrangular section and from which profile there are generated two flanges (21,22) forming a rail suitable for inserting connection means (300), as well as a support flange (23) arranged in the bottom part of the profile (20) in its back part; and in which two flanges (25,26) further configure a U-shaped gap (27) in the top part of said first profile (20), such that the sliding of a plurality of runners (500) is enabled, as shown in detail in Figure 5; and

(b) a second profile (24) with a section substantially in the form of a "9", inserted in the first profile (20) between two flanges (25,25') provided for such purpose, such that the vertical shifting of said second profile (24) is allowed until surpassing a step (28), to be subsequently maintained in said raised position while working with the panel (200); the second profile (24) likewise comprises a cavity (29) in one of its inner corners suitable for inserting a reinforcement rod.

[0013] The second bottom cross-member (102) in turn and at least comprises:

(a) a first and quadrangular tubular profile (30) from which there are generated two vertical flanges (31,32) in its top face, and in which the first inner flange (31) for supporting the panel (200), is considerably longer than the second outer flange (32) configured to conceal the irregular bottom cut of the panel (200); and in which there are also two flanges generated from its inner face which configure a rail (33) suitable for inserting connection means; a first elongated flange (34) as well as a flap (35) with an angular profile suitable for inserting an angle (401) bearing the wheel (400) are generated from the bottom face, as can be seen in greater detail in figure 4.

[0014] The rack (100) is configured to assemble and disassemble the panel (200) in three steps (1 P, 2P, 3P) as can be seen in Figure 2, and more specifically in Figure 2a.

[0015] It can be seen in the first step (1P) (Figure 2B) how the closing profile (10) of the struts (103,104) is opened by pulling the flange (7), unlocking the connection between the seat (6) and the projection (6'), and rotating the closing profile (10) about the shaft defined by the cavity (5) and the end (5').

[0016] It can be seen in the second step (2P) (Figure 2C) how the profile (24) vertically shifts until surpassing the step (28), said profile (24) being maintained in a higher position, locked between the flanges (25,25') and the step (28).

[0017] It can finally be seen in the third step (3P) (Figure 2A) how it is possible to extract the panel (200) since it is released on the sides and at the top.

[0018] Figure 3 shows the assembly of the vertical struts (103,104) with the bottom cross-member (102) and top cross-member (101). For such assembly connection means (300) are used which consist of an essentially T-shaped piece in turn and at least comprising:

(a) a first horizontal portion (301) configured to be inserted in the tubular body (20,30) of both top and bottom cross-members (101,102); said horizontal portion (301) is ribbed (302), further comprising a flexible flap (303) which is inserted in the window (304) of the pin (305) such that movement is prevented once assembled; it likewise comprises a cylindrical pivot (306) in the top face of said horizontal portion (301), which pivot further has an opening (307) for fixing a screw (308) through the cross-members (101,102); and

(b) a second vertical portion (310) comprising a plurality of grooves fitting with and sliding along the inner rail (33) defined in the struts (103,104); it likewise comprises a flap (309) provided for placing the connection piece (300) at a certain height, such that the pin (305) is facing the window (312) of the struts (103,104); said insertion of the flap (309) being carried out in the window (312) which is the smallest window of the struts (103,104), leaving the larger windows (311) for inserting the pin (305), thus blocking and preventing the shifting of the strut in the vertical with regard to the cross-member (101 or 102).

[0019] The assembly sequence is depicted in Figure 3A (the first three steps 1Q, 2Q, 3Q), Figure 3B for the fourth assembly step 4Q, Figure 3C for the fifth assembly step 5Q and Figure 3D for the finished assembly, therefore:

• In a first step 1Q the pin (305) is placed on the connection means (300).
• In a second step 2Q the connection means (300) and the pin (305) are inserted in the cross-member (101,102) at the desired depth.
• In a third step 3Q the screw (308) is inserted. Once this part of the assembly is finished, the rack (100) can be provided to the end customer since after this assembly step no new screwed assembly is needed.
• In the fourth step 4Q the vertical struts (103,104) are inserted along the grooves of the vertical portion (310) until making the flap (309) coincide with its corresponding small window (312).
• In a fifth step 5Q the pin (305) is slid until making its rectangular window (313) coincide with the flap (303) of the horizontal portion (301) of the connection means (300), such that said pin (305) is inserted in the window (312) of the inner face of the struts (103,104), thus blocking and preventing the shifting of the strut in the vertical with regard to the cross-member (101 or 102).

[0020] Figure 4 shows how an angle (401) bearing the gear wheel (400) is inserted between the flanges (34,35) of the bottom cross-member (102); said angled angle (401) further has two flanges on each side of the longest face inserted in the vertical struts (1); it is connected to the cross-member (102) through the same wheel (400) since it is at the same time riveted to the bottom cross-member (102) and to the angle (401).

[0021] Figure 5 shows the top guiding system for guiding the panels by means of a runner (500). Said runner (500) has a wheel (502) sliding inside the U-shaped section (27) of the top cross-member (101). The runner (500) is configured for assembly without screwed assemblies as a result of the T-shaped projection (503) and rounded neck, such that it is inserted in the sliding slot (504) of sliding, said runner (500) being anchored rotating the projection (503) an angle close to 90°. The runner (500) also has a notch (505) which allows anchoring the runner (500) with the top cross-member (101) once introduced together with the flange (25) of said top cross-member (101).

[0022] Figure 6 shows the central tie rod (105) comprising at its ends a plurality of stepped teeth (601) such that when introduced in the window (602) of the struts (103,104), it closes, tenses and cancels out the clearances between the panel (200), preventing possible deformations.

[0023] Figure 7 shows how to assemble the rack, without using screws, by simply inserting the connection means (300) and subsequently blocking with the pin (305).

Claims

1. A rack for display panels of those of the type framing a display panel (200) for displaying ceramic pieces, said rack (100) comprising at least a first top cross-member (101), a second bottom cross-member (102), a first vertical strut (103), and a second vertical strut (104), characterized in that said struts (103, 104) in turn and at least comprise:

(a) a first tubular base profile (1) with an essentially quadrangular section;

(b) a second closing profile (10) connected in its closed position to the first base profile (1) by the fitting thereof on a seat (6), blocking the rotating movement on the shaft defined by an open tubular cavity (5) located in said base profile (1) and a rounded end (5') comprised in said second closing profile (10);

further comprised in that
the first top cross-member (101) in turn and at least comprises:

(a) a first tubular profile (20) with a quadrangular section and from which profile there are generated two flanges (21,22) forming a rail suitable for inserting connection means (300), as well as a support flange (23) arranged in the bottom part of the profile (20) in its back part;
and wherein two flanges (25,26) further configure a U-shaped gap (27) in the top part of said first profile (20), such that the sliding of a plurality of runners (500) is enabled; and

(b) a second profile (24) with a section substantially in the form of a "9", inserted in the first profile (20) between two flanges (25,25') provided for such purpose, such that vertical shifting of said second profile (24) is allowed until surpassing a step (28), to be subsequently maintained in said raised position while working with the panel (200);

and further comprised in that
the second bottom cross-member (102) in turn and at least comprises:

(a) a first tubular and quadrangular profile (30) from which there are generated two vertical flanges (31,32) in its top face, and wherein the first inner flange (31) for supporting the panel (200) is considerably longer than the second outer flange (32); likewise, there are also two flanges generated from its inner face which form a rail (33) suitable for inserting connection means (300); and wherein a first elongated flange (34) as well as a flap (35) with an angular profile suitable for inserting an angle (401) bearing the wheel (400) are generated from the bottom face;

all configured to assemble and disassemble the panel (200) from the rack (100) in three steps (1 P, 2P, 3P):

- a first step (1P) in which the closing profile (10) of the struts (103,104) is opened by pulling the flange (7), unlocking the connection between the seat (6) and the projection (6') and rotating the closing profile (10) about the shaft defined by the cavity (5) and the end (5');

- a second step (2P) in which the profile (24) vertically shifts until surpassing the step (28), said profile (24) being maintained in a higher position, locked between the flanges (25,25') and the step (28); and

- a third step (3P) in which it is possible to extract the panel (200) since it is released on the sides and at the top.

2. The rack according to claim 1, characterized in that the base profile (1) of the struts (103,104) in turn and at least comprising:

- a first U-shaped flange (2) suitable for housing connection means and at least one tie rod (105), as well as serving to support the board or panel (200);

- a second U-shaped flange (3) configured as an inner rail for inserting connection means (300);

- a cylindrical cavity (4) configured for inserting a self-tapping screw, and located in the inner part of the base body (1); and

- an open tubular cavity (5) located in one of the corners of the base body (1), suitable for housing a closing profile (10), said open tubular cavity (5) configuring the rotating shaft of said lock (10).

3. The rack according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the second closing profile (10) of the struts (103,104) in turn comprises:

- a rounded profile end (5') located at the end of a first flange (11), configured for fitting in the open tubular cavity (5) of the first base profile (1) such that it allows the swinging of the lock (10) on the base profile (1);

- a rounded inner projection (6') configured for supporting in the seat (6), blocking the rotating movement by clipping; and

- a flange (7) configured to operate as a handle, in which it would be possible to be gripped by the user by the user in the movements of locking and unlocking the struts (103,104).

4. The rack according to the previous claims, characterized in that the end of the lock (10) has an open rail-type cavity (8) where it is possible to insert any material, such that it dampens and reduces the noises due to the friction between the struts (103,104) and the panel (200).

5. The rack according to the previous claims, characterized in that the second profile (24) comprises a cavity (29) in one of its inner corners suitable for inserting a reinforcement rod.

6. The rack according to the previous claims, characterized in that the connection means (300) consist of an essentially T-shaped piece in turn and at least comprising:

(a) a first horizontal portion (301) configured to be inserted in the tubular body (20,30) of both top and bottom cross-members (101,102);
and wherein said horizontal portion (301) is ribbed (302), further comprising a flexible flap (303) which is inserted in the window (304) of the pin (305) such that movement is prevented once assembled;
likewise comprising a cylindrical pivot (306) in the top face of said horizontal portion (301), which further has an opening (307) for fixing a screw (308) through the cross-members (101,102); and

(b) a second vertical portion (310) comprising a plurality of grooves fitting with and sliding along the inner rail (33) defined in the struts (103,104);

likewise comprising a flap (309) provided for placing the connection piece (300) at a certain height, such that the pin (305) is facing the window (312) of the struts (103,104);
said flap (309) being inserted in the window (312) which is the smallest window of the struts (103,104), leaving the larger windows (311) for inserting the pin (305), which slides the pin until making the rectangular window coincide with the flap of the end of the T piece (300), thus the latter is inserted in the widest window of the inner face of the strut, the latter preventing the shifting of the strut in the vertical with regard to the cross-member (101,102).

7. The rack according to the previous claims, characterized in that there is inserted between the flanges (34,35) of the bottom cross-member (102) an angle (401) bearing the gear wheel (400); wherein, said angle (401) is further connected to the cross-member (102) through the same wheel (400) since at the same time it is riveted to the bottom cross-member (102) and to the angle (401).

8. The rack according to the previous claims, characterized in that the runner (500) has a wheel (502) which slides along the inside of the U-shaped section (27) of the top cross-member (101);
and wherein said runner (500) is configured for its assembly without screwed assemblies as a result of the T-shaped projection (503) and rounded neck, such that it is inserted in a sliding slot (504), said runner (500) being anchored rotating the projection (503) an angle close to 90°, until the flexible tabs are inside the slot and the T-shaped projection (503) supports the runner at the same time;
and wherein said runner (500) further has a notch (505) which allows anchoring the runner (500) with the top cross-member (101) once introduced together with the flange (25) of said top cross-member (101).

9. The rack according to the previous claims, characterized in that the central tie rod (105) comprises at its ends a plurality of stepped teeth (601) such that when introduced in the window (602) of the struts (103,104), it closes, tenses and cancels out the clearances between the panel (200).

Drawing