Display system

Abstract

A display system having an improved support structure to reduce the display profile and consequent shipping costs and an improved display hook for mounting on the display grid. A support structure, such as an easel, is formed with or attached to the rear side of the display grid to support the grid in an elevated position. Unlike prior displays that must be shipped with bulky support structures, the easel of this invention is collapsible, allowing the display to retain its relatively thin profile. To install the display in the store, the easel may be quickly and easily formed and locked into place to support the display. The easel may be formed and collapsed as necessary, facilitating both shipping of the display as well as transporting the display in the store. This invention also relates to an improved display hook capable of releasably engaging the grid at three locations and thereby distributing the product load carried by the hook and reducing the likelihood that the hook with be pulled from or otherwise disengage the grid.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA [0001] This application claims priority to a provisional patent application No. 60 / 686,578 entitled Display System, filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on May 31, 2005 and which is herein incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to display systems, and more particularly, to self-supporting displays on which display hooks may be mounted. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Displays for displaying products in retail stores come in all shapes and sizes. To perform their intended function, many displays require that hooks be mounted on the display. The desired products can then be mounted on the hooks and made available to the customer in this way. Many times the hooks disengage from the display under the product loads, leading to display failure. Thus, lack of stability of product-bearing display hooks is a serious problem in the industry, and a need exists for a display that is capable of supporting a variety of ho...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] This invention addresses the problems of previous display systems by providing a display system having an improved support structure to reduce the display profile and consequent shipping costs and an improved display hook for mounting on the display grid. A support structure, such as an easel, is formed with or attached to the rear side of the display grid to support the grid in an elevated position. Unlike prior displays that must be shipped with bulky support structures, the easel of this invention is collapsible (the easel preferably collapses into a plane substantially parallel to the grid), allowing the display to retain its relatively thin profile. Thus, when the display is shipped with its associated easel in a collapsed position, more displays may be palletized in a shipping carton, resulting in reduced shipping costs. To install the display in the store, the easel may be quickly and easily formed and locked into place to support the display. The easel may be formed and collapsed as necessary, facilitating both shipping of the display as well as transporting the display in the store.

[0006] This invention also relates to an improved display hook capable of releasably engaging the grid at three locations and thereby distributing the product load carried by the hook and reducing the likelihood that the hook with be pulled from or otherwise disengage the grid. The hook may be positioned and repositioned anywhere on the grid. Moreover, if desired, a cover panel (preferably upon which product information, advertisements, or other graphics may be printed or otherwise provided) may be releasably attached to the front surface the display grid. The cover panel can easily be removed, allowing the grid, easel, and hooks of the display to be re-used with different products.

[0009] It is another object of this invention to provide a display hook for a display grid that is structured to firmly mount on a display grid and prevent unintended disengagement from the grid.

Problems solved by technology

Many times the hooks disengage from the display under the product loads, leading to display failure.

Thus, lack of stability of product-bearing display hooks is a serious problem in the industry, and a need exists for a display that is capable of supporting a variety of hooks in a firm and stabilized manner.

These support structures, which are typically shipped with the displays, are bulky and occupy significant shipping capacity, which in turn leads to increased shipping costs.

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