Coupling system for modular base deck and display system

Abstract

A transportable base deck for use in a display system comprises a plastic base portion having an upper portion with a generally flat upper support surface. The base portion is generally rectangular. A plurality of legs extend downwardly from the upper portion and are positioned to support the upper portion above a floor. The base deck is configured to act as a side deck or an end deck to the display system, or to stand alone or back to back with another base deck. The base deck can include a back stop wall extending downwardly from the rear portion of the upper portion of the base portion toward the floor. The base deck can also include an interface for connecting the base deck to a display system.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 546,523 filed Feb. 20, 2004, the contents of which are herein incorporated herein by reference. This Application is being filed concurrently with U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (“Modular Base Deck and Display System,” Attorney Docket No. 4112P097) which also claims the benefit of the above Provisional Application.FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] N / A TECHNICAL FIELD [0003] The present invention generally relates to base decks utilized with display systems and more particularly, to mobile plastic base decks having a back stop wall and including an interface for coupling the base deck to the display system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Display systems, sometimes referred to as gondolas, typically include a frame structure and a plurality of shelves (or other display formations, e.g., hooks or pegs for hanging items) supported by the ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] The present invention is also directed to systems for interfacing (sometimes referred to as “docking”) a mobile base deck with the frame of a display system. The interface provides a means to position and / or secure the base deck proximate the display frame and / or to prevent unintentional dislodgement or significant movement of the base deck when associated with a display system. The interface concepts shown include both active and passive means of connecting one or more of the front edge, back edge, side edges, bottom offsets, or top surface of the base deck to the display system's frame.

[0014] The base decks of the present invention can be transported to and from various locations within a retail / distribution environment without having to transfer goods / products to and from other pallets or container systems (which typically require the use of large material handling equipment). Thus, goods can be transferred from loading docks, warehouses, storage locations or other areas of a retail store more easily without the use of equipment, or at least without using large equipment.

[0018] The base deck can include a first wheel and a second wheel extending downwardly from the upper portion of the base portion of the base deck. The wheels can be incorporated in the legs extending downwardly from the upper portion, or can be used in place of the legs. The wheels can be unidirectional to help slide the base desk into a slot defined by two display legs. Alternatively, the wheels could be omni-directional and provide assistance in transporting the base deck to or from the display system.

[0019] The upper portion of the display system can include one or more scuff guards about an outer periphery. The scuff guards protect the base deck from abuse due to carts or other objects colliding into the deck.

Problems solved by technology

However, some display systems may be placed with a side or end against a wall or other structure—thus limiting the amount of shelving or other display structure in the system.

The base area of the display system is subject to abuse.

The store personnel or outside venders delivering products for placement in the display systems, can harm the base area when loading or unloading such products, or by contacting the base area with the carts, forklifts, etc., used to bring the products to the system from a back storage or warehouse area of the store.

Additionally, the base area can be abused from shoppers hitting this area with their shopping carts.

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