Modular merchandising display connector
AssigneeUniversal Display & Fixtures Company
InventorsJoseph M. Battaglia, Stanley Hawkins, Reggie Stubblefield
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector is described comprising a longitudinally extending central portion, a plurality of planar walls, radially extending from the central portion, and a plurality of hammer-shaped members interposed between the walls, and radially extending from the central portion. An asymmetrical channel is defined between each of the walls and the members for retaining inserts.
Claims17
A connector for detachably retaining an insert, the connector comprising:
- a central portion;
- a first planar wall extending from the central portion, the first wall having no protrusions at its distal end;
- a hammer-shaped second wall extending from the central portion, the first and second walls defining an asymmetrical channel between them, such that the insert is engaged by the hammer-shaped wall when the insert is disposed in the channel, thereby retaining the insert from movement in a first direction.
A method for retaining an insert, comprising:
- providing a first planar wall, the first wall having no protrusions at its distal end;
- providing a hammer-shaped second wall to define an asymmetrical channel between the first and second walls, such that the insert is engaged by the hammer-shaped wall when the insert is disposed in the channel, thereby retaining the insert from movement in a first direction;
- and
- distorting the insert when the insert is disposed in the channel, thereby retaining the insert from movement in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
A connector, comprising:
- a longitudinally extending central portion;
- a plurality of planar walls, radially extending from the central portion, the planar walls having no protrusions at their distal ends;
- a plurality of hammer-shaped members interposed between the walls, and radially extending from the central portion.
A shelving unit comprising:
- a pair of side grids;
- a shelf extending between the side grids, and exerting a force on the side grids that the side grids are distorted in a first direction;
- a plurality of connectors removably attached to the side grids the connectors being locked to the side grids by the force exerted by the shelf.
A connector assembly, comprising:
- a connector comprising:
- a central portion;
- a first wall extending radially from the central portion;
- and
- a second wall extending radially from the central portion, the first and second walls
- defining an asymmetrical channel there between;
- and
- an insert disposed in the channel, the insert comprising a first bar having a generally circular cross section extending parallel to and in engagement with the first wall, and a second bar having a generally circular cross section extending in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the first bar and engaging the second wall to retain the insert in the channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.