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.

1 . A transportable base deck for use in a display system, wherein the display system includes a docking mechanism having at least one hook member appending therefrom, the transportable base deck comprising: 
 a base portion, an upper surface, a front portion, a rear portion, and opposing side walls; and,    an engagement feature provided to interface with a docking mechanism of a display system, the engagement feature comprising a notch disposed in the rear portion of the base deck and provided to guide and secure a hook member therein, wherein the notch includes a catch mechanism disposed proximate a terminal end of the notch, the catch mechanism being provided to receive at least a portion of a corresponding hook member disposed on a display system.    
   
   
       2 . The base deck of  claim 1 , wherein the catch mechanism comprises a lip portion, the lip portion being provided to receive at least a portion of a corresponding hook member disposed on a display system.  
   
   
       3 . The base deck of  claim 2 , further comprising a base plate disposed proximate the terminal end of the notch.  
   
   
       4 . The base deck of  claim 3 , wherein the base plate defines the lip portion of the engagement feature.  
   
   
       5 . The base deck of  claim 1 , wherein the catch mechanism comprises a bar extending across at least a portion of the notch, the bar being provided to receive at least a portion of a corresponding hook member disposed on a display system.  
   
   
       6 . The base deck of  claim 1 , wherein the catch mechanism comprises a spring biased latch, the latch being provided to engage and secure at least a portion of a corresponding hook member disposed on a display system.  
   
   
       7 . The base deck of  claim 1 , wherein the notch further includes opposed inwardly tapered sidewalls.  
   
   
       8 . The base deck of  claim 1 , wherein the notch is centrally disposed in the rear portion of the base deck.  
   
   
       9 . The base deck of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of legs extending downwardly from the upper deck portion for supporting the upper deck portion above the floor.  
   
   
       10 . The base deck of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of legs of the base deck includes a notch provided to guide and secure a corresponding hook member from a display system therein.  
   
   
       11 . The base deck of  claim 1 , wherein the base deck is a side deck for a display system, the display system comprising a planar wall portion, a first leg extending outwardly from a lower portion of a first side of the planar wall at a first location and a second leg extending outwardly from the first side of the planar wall at a second location, the base deck being configured to fit between the first leg and the second leg extending from the planar wall.  
   
   
       12 . A transportable base deck for use in a display system, wherein the display system includes at least one pocket member appending therefrom, the transportable base deck comprising: 
 a base portion, an upper surface, a front portion, a rear portion, and opposing side walls; and,    an engagement feature provided to interface with a docking mechanism of a display system, the engagement feature comprising at least one foot projecting downwardly from the base portion of the base deck and being provided to cooperatively engage a corresponding pocket member of a display system.    
   
   
       13 . The base deck of  claim 12 , wherein the foot is centrally disposed on the rear portion of the base deck.  
   
   
       14 . In a display system adapted to receive a transportable base deck, a coupling system comprising a docking mechanism having at least one position holding feature, and a corresponding engagement feature provided to cooperatively receive the at least one position holding feature, wherein the at least one position holding feature is adapted to be disposed on a display system, and the engagement feature is disposed on a transportable base deck.  
   
   
       15 . The coupling system of  claim 14 , wherein the position holding feature comprises at least one hook member adapted to be attached proximate a bottom portion of a display system, and wherein the engagement feature comprises at least one notch disposed in the rear portion of the base deck, the at least one notch including a catch mechanism disposed proximate a terminal end of the at least one notch, the catch mechanism being provided to receive at least a portion of a corresponding hook member disposed on a display system.  
   
   
       16 . The coupling system of  claim 15 , wherein the catch mechanism comprises a lip portion, the lip portion being provided to receive at least a portion of a corresponding hook member disposed on a display system.  
   
   
       17 . The coupling system of  claim 15 , wherein the catch mechanism comprises a bar extending across at least a portion of the notch, the bar being provided to receive at least a portion of a corresponding hook member disposed on a display system.  
   
   
       18 . The coupling system of  claim 15 , wherein the catch mechanism comprises a spring biased latch, the latch being provided to engage and secure at least a portion of a corresponding hook member disposed on a display system.  
   
   
       19 . The coupling system of  claim 14 , wherein the position holding feature comprises at least one pocket member adapted to be attached proximate a bottom portion of a display system, and the engagement feature comprises at least one foot, the at least one foot projecting downwardly from the base portion of the base deck and being provided to cooperatively engage the at least one corresponding pocket member when the interface is actively engaged.  
   
   
       20 . The cooperative system of  claim 19 , wherein the pocket member is defined by a front surface and opposed side walls, the front surface having an upwardly and inwardly canting frontal plane.