Foldable display bench

[0002] This invention is directed to a foldable display bench, for supporting items on display. The bench provides a support structure for shelves. The shelves can be removed and the support structure folded into a substantially flat configuration.

[0003] There are numerous circumstances where it is desirable to display items for sale on surfaces where they can be conveniently seen and closely examined by prospective customers. One such circumstance is in retail greenhouses, where live plants are displayed on both sides of aisles leading through the green house.

[0004] Such display areas are not static. The displays are constantly changing, often requiring a reconfiguration of the display area. Greenhouses and greenhouse display structures are generally dismantled for storage during off season. Display benches must frequently be disassembled for storage and repositioning. The display benches presently in use have numerous detachable components that are easily misplaced or lost during disassembly and storage. Furthermore, assembling and disassembling the display benches is a tedious and time consuming effort that is costly to the greenhouse operator.

[0005] It is an object of this invention to provide a display bench, which has a minimal number of detachable components, and can be readily folded into a substantially flat configuration for storage or repositioning.

[0006] Various display benches that have two or more shelves, where items can be conveniently seen and examined are common fixtures in greenhouses. One such is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,551. But none of which applicant is aware, anticipate a foldable support structure for the display surfaces.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the foldable display bench assembly in a partially unfoldable position.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the stabilizer of the foldable display bench.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a diagonal bar of the stabilizer.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the bottom bar of the stabilizer.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a detail view of the end of the bottom stabilizer bar bearing ring.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the left side panel.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the left side of the panel showing placement of shelves.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the shelf.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of two adjacent shelves with interlocking end channels.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the display bench assembly.

[0017] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the hinge linchpin.

[0018] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the purlin.

[0019] FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of said display bench fully assembled.

[0020] FIG. 14 is the side elevation view of an alternate form of the invention, in which two bench assemblies are foldably joined to a shared stabilizer.

[0021] In accordance with the present invention, an assembly is provided to form a foldable bench for supporting items on display. The bench provides a support structure for shelves. The support structure consists of a back frame stabilizer, on opposite sides of which are foldably connected leg frames. The leg frames can thus be folded out into a position at a right angle to the back frame stabilizer. With the leg frames in this position, shelves are placed on the supporting surfaces of the leg frames. The shelves fit on to the supporting surfaces of the leg frames in such a way as to engage them and maintain them in that right angle position. So when the shelves are engaged, the leg frames are no longer foldable.

[0022] When it is desirable to temporarily dismantle the bench, the shelves can be lifted out of engagement with the supporting surfaces of the leg frames. The leg frames can then be folded inwardly to a position adjacent and parallel to the back frame stabilizer, thus forming a flat, compact assembly.

[0023] The back frame stabilizer consists of a top bar and a bottom bar parallel to one another and diagonal bars connecting them. This structure resists any tendency to twist under pressure, so the back frame stabilizer is maintained as a flat structure with all elements parallel to each other.

[0024] The support surfaces of the shelves are slats or mesh or other such porous material as to allow water oozing from nursery stock to readily drip through without creating a puddle or accumulation of liquid on the surface of the shelves.

[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates the display bench assembly in the position of being partially unfolded. It includes a back frame stabilizer 1, a left side panel 14 and a right side panel 15. The left side panel 14 is foldably connected to back frame stabilizer 1, by hinges 32 and 33. The right side panel 15 is foldably connected to back frame stabilizer 1, by hinges 34 and 35.

[0027] The back frame stabilizer is illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. It comprises a top bar 2, a bottom bar 3, and diagonal bars 4 and 5, extending between and connecting top bar 2 and bottom bar 3. The diagonal bar 4 has flattened end positions 10 and 11. The diagonal bar 5 has similar flattened end portions 12 and 13. The flattened end portions 10, 11, 12 and 13 are provided to facilitate a rigid and permanent attachment to top bar 2 and bottom bar 3 by means of metal screw, bolt, spot welding or other conventional methods. The top bar 2 has on its opposite ends bearing rings 6 and 7. The bottom bar 3 has on its opposite ends bearing rings 8 and 9. The bearing rings 6, 7, 8 and 9 form a portion of the hinges 32, 33, 34 and 35.

[0028] The left side panel 14, as illustrated in FIG. 6, comprises a back leg 16, the top portion of which is bent forward at an approximate 45° angle forming a shoulder 17 with a tubular open end 18. Extending forward from back leg 16, and rigidly affixed thereto is upper shelf support 19. A support strut 22 extends diagonally between back leg 16 and upper shelf support 19 and is rigidly affixed. Middle shelf support 20 and bottom shelf support 21, extend between and are rigidly affixed to back leg 16 and front leg 23.

[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the upper shelf 24 fits down onto upper shelf support 19. Middle shelf 25 fits down onto middle shelf support 20; bottom shelf 26 fits down onto bottom shelf support 21. Middle shelf 25 is illustrated in FIG. 8. It is comprised of parallel slats which extend between end portions that form left channel 27 and right channel 31. Left channel 27 fits down over and engages the middle shelf support 20. The right channel 31 fits down over and engages the middle shelf support of right side panel 15. Right side panel is substantially identical to left side panel 14.

[0030] FIG. 9 illustrates an optional utilization of the structure of shelf 25. Where it is desired to form a run of adjacent display benches, end channel 27 fits down over and engages shelf support 20. End channel 31 of an adjacent shelf 25, fits down over and engages end channel 27.

[0031] Extending back from front leg 23, immediately above and parallel to bottom shelf support 21 is the holding bracket 30. When bottom shelf 26 is fitted down onto bottom shelf support 21, its front end is inserted beneath bracket 30, which secures it from sliding forward or out of engagement with the shelf support 21.

[0032] On the forward end of upper shelf support 19, there is a snap button 28, (which is a spring urged, rounded projection that can be depressed but snaps back when not depressed). There is a corresponding aperture 29, on the outer front edge of upper shelf 24. When upper shelf 24 is fitted down upon upper shelf support 19, the snap button 28 is depressed, but when it aligns with corresponding aperture 29, it snaps out, which secures the upper shelf 24 from sliding forward or out of engagement with the upper shelf support 19.

[0033] Hinges 32, 33, 34 and 35, are formed of bearing rings 6, 7, 8 and 9 with side panel hinge elements 40, 41, 42 and 43. Side panel hinge element 40 is illustrated in FIG. 10. It comprises a linchpin 44, and linch pin support 45. The linch pin support 45 is rigidly affixed to back leg 16. There is an aperture 46 toward the top of linchpin 44. It will be appreciated from the enlarged portions of FIG. 9, that linchpin 44 extends up and through the bearing ring 7, and a flat washer 37. Cotter pin 36, is extended through aperture 46 and expanded so as to hold linchpin 44 in position relative to bearing ring 7 and moveable relative thereto. Linchpin 44 and bearing ring 7, essentially form the hinge 35.

[0034] The purlin 38 is illustrated in FIG. 11. It is a bar having an insertion element 39, at each end. The insertion elements 39 are of a size and shape to fit snugly into the open ends 18 of shoulders 17. Plant containing baskets can be hung from the purlin 38, thus further enhancing the display capacity of the foldable display bench.

[0035] FIG. 12 shows the foldable display bench in a filly assembled position. FIG. 13 illustrates a variation of the preferred embodiment, which is in effect two display benches, back to back and extending from a shared back frame stabilizer.

[0036] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the foldable display bench without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modification and variations of this invention provided that they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.