Merchandise display system

Abstract

A profile rail ( 16 ) for a merchandise display system ( 10 ) is used for supporting merchandise on at least one display accessory arm ( 14 ) extending from a display wall ( 11 ). The profile rail ( 16 ) has a top wall ( 34 ), a bottom wall ( 36 ) and a rear wall ( 38 ) defining an open chamber ( 28 ) configured to receive an accessory arm ( 14 ), wherein the chamber ( 28 ) has a channel ( 30 ) formed therein between an upper lip ( 31 ) and lower lip ( 32 ) and extending rearward toward the rear wall ( 38 ), and wherein an upper wall ( 66 ) extends between the top wall ( 34 ) and the upper lip ( 31 ) and the lower lip ( 32 ) extends from the bottom wall ( 36 ). The profile rail ( 16 ) has a lower bearing surface ( 32 ) located in the bottom wall ( 36 ), and the profile rail ( 16 ) also includes an upper bearing surface ( 62 ) located on the upper wall ( 66 ) directed toward the chamber ( 28 ). A protrusion ( 50 ) extends into the chamber ( 28 ) adjacent to the top and rear walls ( 34, 38 ), wherein the protrusion ( 50 ) is spaced-apart from the rear wall ( 38 ) to form a receiving chamber ( 51 ) therebetween, and the protrusion ( 50 ) includes a rear bearing surface ( 53 ) directed toward the receiving chamber ( 51 ). The invention is also directed to a display system comprising the profile rail and an accessory arm cantileveringly supported in the profile rail.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A profile rail ( 16 ) for a merchandise display system ( 10 ) used for supporting merchandise on at least one display accessory arm ( 14 ) extending from a display wall ( 11 ), the profile rail ( 16 ) comprising:
 a top wall ( 34 ), a bottom wall ( 36 ) and a rear wall ( 38 ) defining a chamber ( 28 ) configured to receive an accessory arm ( 14 ), wherein the chamber ( 28 ) has a channel ( 30 ) extending therefrom between an upper lip ( 31 ) and lower lip ( 32 ), and wherein an upper wall ( 66 ) extends between the top wall ( 34 ) and the upper lip ( 31 ) and the lower lip ( 32 ) extends from the bottom wall ( 36 );   a lower bearing surface ( 32 ) is located on the bottom wall ( 36 );   a protrusion ( 50 ) extending into the chamber ( 28 ) adjacent to the top and rear walls ( 34 ,  38 ), wherein the protrusion ( 50 ) is spaced-apart from the rear wall ( 38 ) to form a receiving chamber ( 51 ) therebetween, and the protrusion ( 50 ) includes a rear bearing surface ( 53 ) directed toward the receiving chamber ( 51 ); and   an upper bearing surface ( 62 ) is located on the upper wall ( 66 ) and is directed toward the chamber ( 28 ).   
     
     
         2 . The profile rail of  claim 1  further comprising an upper cavity ( 80 ) and a lower cavity ( 81 ) positioned adjacent to the chamber ( 28 ). 
     
     
         3 . The profile rail of  claim 1 , wherein an upper panel support flange ( 82 ) extends upwardly from the upper cavity ( 80 ) and a lower panel support flange ( 84 ) extends upwardly from the lower cavity ( 81 ). 
     
     
         4 . The profile rail of  claim 1 , wherein the lower bearing surface ( 32 ) includes a longitudinal duct ( 44 ) having a slip-preventing strip ( 46 ) positioned therein. 
     
     
         5 . A merchandise display system ( 10 ) comprising:
 a base portion ( 12 ) comprising:
 a top wall ( 34 ), a rear wall ( 38 ), and a bottom wall ( 36 ) forming a chamber ( 28 ) therebetween, wherein the bottom wall ( 36 ) includes a lower bearing surface ( 42 ); 
 an upper wall ( 66 ) extending between the top wall ( 34 ) and an upper lip ( 32 ), wherein the upper wall ( 66 ) includes an upper bearing surface ( 62 ); 
 a lower lip ( 32 ) extending from the bottom wall ( 36 ); 
 a channel ( 30 ) extending from the chamber ( 28 ), wherein the channel ( 30 ) is surrounded by the upper and lower lips ( 31 ,  32 ); 
 a protrusion ( 50 ) positioned between the top wall ( 34 ) and the rear wall ( 38 ) and is spaced-apart from both, wherein the protrusion ( 50 ) extends into the chamber ( 28 ) and includes a rear bearing surface ( 53 ); 
   an accessory arm ( 14 ) releasably engageable with the base portion ( 12 ).   
     
     
         6 . The merchandise display system of  claim 5 , wherein the accessory arm ( 14 ) includes a peg ( 14 A) and a tongue ( 110 ), wherein the peg ( 14 A) has a distal end ( 120 ) and a base end ( 112 ) and the tongue ( 110 ) extends from the base end ( 112 ), said tongue ( 110 ) being insertable into the channel ( 30 ) for removable engagement with the base portion ( 12 ). 
     
     
         7 . The merchandise display system of  claim 6 , wherein the tongue ( 110 ) includes a stem ( 116 ) and a hook ( 118 ), said hook ( 118 ) being engageable with the rear bearing surface ( 53 ) of the protrusion ( 50 ) for securing the accessory arm ( 14 ) to the base portion ( 12 ). 
     
     
         8 . The merchandise display system of  claim 5 , wherein the accessory arm ( 14 ) includes a top surface ( 141 ), a bottom surface ( 142 ), and a rear surface ( 143 ) extending between the top and bottom surfaces ( 141 ,  142 ), said top surface ( 141 ) being engageable with the protrusion ( 50 ) of the base portion ( 12 ), the bottom surface ( 142 ) being engageable with the slip-preventing strip ( 46 ), and the rear surface ( 143 ) being engageable with the rear wall ( 38 ) of the base portion ( 12 ) for removably connecting the accessory arm ( 14 ) to the base portion ( 12 ). 
     
     
         9 . The merchandise display system of  claim 5 , wherein the accessory arm ( 14 ) includes a base end ( 112 ) and a distal end ( 120 ) and a bracket ( 140 ) extending from the base end ( 112 ), the bracket ( 140 ) being insertable into the chamber ( 28 ) of the base portion ( 12 ), wherein a portion of the bracket ( 140 ) contacts the upper bearing surface ( 62 ) of the upper wall ( 66 ) for removably engaging the accessory arm ( 14 ) to the base portion ( 12 ). 
     
     
         10 . The merchandise display system of  claim 5 , wherein the accessory arm ( 14 ) is a peg, a shelf, or a table frame. 
     
     
         11 . The merchandise display system of  claim 5 , wherein the base portion ( 12 ) further includes an upper cavity ( 80 ) and a lower cavity ( 81 ) extending from the rear wall ( 38 ) and an upper panel support flange ( 82 ) extending from the upper cavity ( 80 ) and a lower panel support flange ( 84 ) extending from the lower cavity ( 81 ). 
     
     
         12 . The merchandise display system of  claim 5 , wherein the base portion ( 12 ) further includes an upper tongue extension ( 94 ) extending outwardly from the upper lip ( 31 ) in the direction opposite the channel ( 30 ) and a lower tongue extension ( 95 ) extending outwardly from the lower lip ( 32 ) in the direction opposite the channel ( 30 ). 
     
     
         13 . The merchandise display system of  claim 12 , wherein the accessory arm ( 14 ) is a cover ( 102 ) that is operatively connectable to the upper and lower tongue extensions ( 94 ,  95 ) in snapping engagement for removably securing the cover ( 102 ) to the base portion ( 12 ).