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.

1 . A self-supporting display system comprising: 
 a. a grid having a height and a width and comprising: 
 i) a plurality of horizontal ribs;  
 ii) a plurality of vertical ribs;  
 iii) apertures formed between adjacent horizontal and vertical ribs;  
 iv) a front side; and  
 v) a rear side; and  
   b. a support structure attached to the rear side of the grid, wherein the support structure is adapted to assume an extended position whereby the support structure supports the grid in an elevated position and to assume a collapsed position whereby the support structure collapses into a plane substantially parallel to the rear side of the grid.    
     
     
         2 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 1 , wherein the grid further comprises a peripheral frame.  
     
     
         3 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 1 , wherein the grid comprises plastic.  
     
     
         4 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the horizontal ribs comprises an upper portion having an underside and a lower portion narrower than the upper portion and extending from the underside of the upper portion, wherein a ridge is formed on the underside of the upper portion.  
     
     
         5 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises an easel.  
     
     
         6 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 5 , wherein the easel comprises paperboard.  
     
     
         7 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 5 , wherein the easel is attached to the grid with at least one fastener positioned in a grid aperture.  
     
     
         8 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 5 , wherein the easel comprises a central body comprising a height and a width substantially identical to the height and the width of the grid.  
     
     
         9 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 5 , wherein the easel comprises a plurality of side wings adapted to extend for the easel to assume the extended position and adapted to fold for the easel to assume the collapsed position.  
     
     
         10 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 9 , wherein the easel comprises side mounting portions for attaching the easel to the rear side of the grid, first side wings proximal the side mounting portions, and second side wings proximal the first side wings and adjacent to a central body.  
     
     
         11 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 5 , wherein the easel comprises a central body having a ledge comprising teeth for engaging the grid when the easel assumes the extended position.  
     
     
         12 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 c. at least one removable display hook comprising: 
 i) a base having a front surface and a rear surface;  
 ii) an elongated support member extending from the front surface of the base;  
 iii) a hook portion provided on the rear surface of the base, wherein the hook portion defines a substantially vertical lip;  
 iv) at least one prong provided on the rear surface of the base; and  
 v) at least one recess formed between the at least one prong and the rear surface of the base.  
   
     
     
         13 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 12 , wherein the elongated support member comprises an upturned portion on an end distal the base.  
     
     
         14 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one prong comprises at least two prongs.  
     
     
         15 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 12 , wherein a plurality of the horizontal ribs each comprises an upper portion wider than a lower portion and having an underside and wherein, when the display hook is mounted on the front side of the grid, the hook portion engages one of the horizontal ribs so that the lip of the hook portion abuts a portion of the underside of the upper portion of a horizontal rib.  
     
     
         16 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 15 , wherein, when the display hook is mounted on the front side of the grid, the at least one recess at least partially surrounds the upper portion of a horizontal rib.  
     
     
         17 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover panel releasably attached to the front side of the grid.  
     
     
         18 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 17 , wherein the cover panel comprises a height and a width substantially identical to the height and the width of the grid.  
     
     
         19 . The self-supporting display system of  claim 1 , further comprising display hooks mounted on the front side of the grid for supporting products and organizing means positioned between products supported on adjacent display hooks.  
     
     
         20 . A self-supporting display system comprising: 
 a. a plastic grid comprising: 
 i) a plurality of horizontal ribs, each comprising an upper portion having an underside and a lower portion narrower than the upper portion and extending from the underside of the upper portion, wherein a ridge is formed on the underside of the upper portion;  
 ii) a plurality of vertical ribs;  
 iii) apertures formed between adjacent horizontal and vertical ribs;  
 iv) a front side; and  
 v) a rear side;  
   b. an easel attached to the rear side of the grid, wherein the easel is adapted to assume an extended position whereby the easel supports the grid in an elevated position and to assume a collapsed position whereby the easel collapses into a plane substantially parallel to the rear side of the grid; and    c. at least one display hook removably mountable on the grid comprising: 
 i) a base having a front surface and a rear surface;  
 ii) an elongated support member extending from the front surface of the base;  
 iii) a hook portion provided on the rear surface of the base, wherein the hook portion defines a substantially vertical lip;  
 iv) at least two prongs provided on the rear surface of the base; and  
 v) at least one recess formed between each of the at least two prongs and the rear surface of the base,  
   wherein, when the display hook is mounted on the front side of the grid, the hook portion engages one of the horizontal ribs so that the lip of the hook portion abuts the ridge formed on the underside of the upper portion of the horizontal rib and the at least one recess at least partially surrounds the upper portion of a horizontal rib.