More particularly, the invention relates to a display apparatus which can be used to display a plurality of articles such as articles which are displayed for sale in a shop. The invention is especially suited for the display of greeting cards and the like in newsagents, news stands and other retail outlets. Because it is usually necessary to display a large number of articles such as cards, the display apparatus is relatively large and is assembled from a multiplicity of components. Using conventional techniques, the assembly of display apparatuses of this type can be a time consuming task which requires skilled labour.

There have been attempts to overcome this problem by fabricating the display apparatus from a number of moulded or extruded components which can be interfitted together to streamline the assembly process. Examples of these techniques are disclosed in the following patents: US 4,613,047; US 4,905,845; AU 27413/88; AU 17653/88; AU 54855/90; AU 88070/91; AU 68974/94; AU 41674/96; and AU 78930/81. Typically these arrangements include channel members which can be interlocked together and supported so as to form a display panel.

Australian specification AU 70624/81 discloses a product display apparatus which includes a display deck which is formed from a vacuum formed panel having a plurality of tiers to which are secured transparent L-shaped retainers and structural members. Because vacuum forming is utilised, it is not possible to produce a precision moulded article which includes interlocking formations which enable the L-shaped retainers to be interlocked with the vacuum formed panel. Also, the vacuum formed panel itself cannot be moulded with formations which would enable interlocking with the structural members. Accordingly, this

apparatus would still be relatively time consuming to fabricate because of the need to make sure that all of the components are in the correct positions relative to one another prior to adhesive bonding. Also, because of the technique involved, a relatively low quality product would be produced.

An object of the present invention is to provide a display apparatus which includes a display panel which is in the form of a relatively large injection moulded panel which includes formations which can be interlocked with other components used to make up the display deck and also interlock with a supporting structure.

According to the present invention there is provided a display apparatus for displaying articles, said apparatus including: a display deck and a support structure for supporting the deck in an inclined position, and wherein the display deck comprises: an injection moulded display panel and a plurality of slat members, said panel being integrally moulded with a plurality of tiers and first formations, said slats including second formations which are interlockable with the first formations to thereby fix the slat members to the panel to thereby define a plurality of elongate channels in which articles to be displayed can be placed.

In one form of the invention, the slat members comprise members which are generally L-shaped. Preferably, the coupling means includes projections and slots which are provided in the members and/or the display panel.

Preferably, the projections are formed on the slat members and the panel includes slots to receive the projections.

Preferably further, the slat members are injection moulded from transparent material.

The invention also provides a support structure for supporting the display panel defined above. The support structure preferably includes end beams which interlock with the

ends of the panel and uprights which support the end beams and/or the panel. The support structure may also include a drawer for storage of articles which are not on display.

The invention also provides a support structure for a drawer, the support structure being a moulded body having upper and lower roller tracks for receipt of a roller mounted on the side of a drawer.

The invention also provides an injection moulded display panel and a plurality of slat members, said panel being integrally moulded with a plurality of tiers and first formations, said slats including second formations which are interlockable with the first formations to thereby fix the slat members to the panel to thereby define a plurality of elongate channels in which articles to be displayed can be placed.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic view of a display panel; Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of an elongate slat member; Figures 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views showing interconnection of a channel member to the display panel; Figure SA is a diagrammatic perspective view of an alternative form of interconnection between the members and panel; Figure 6 is a schematic view showing part of the support structure; Figure 7 is a perspective view of part of an end beam; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line 8-8; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along the line 9-9; Figure 10 is a schematic view showing part of the support structure; Figure 11 is another schematic view showing part of the support structure; Figure 12 is a further schematic view showing interconnection of parts of the support structure;

Figure 13 is a schematic view of a further embodiment of the invention incorporating novel drawer support members; Figure 14 is a more detailed fragmentary perspective view; Figure 15 is a perspective view of the drawer support member; Figure 16 is an outside view of the drawer support member; Figure 17 is an inside view of the drawer support member; Figure 18 is a top view of the drawer support member; Figure 19 is a sectional view along the line 19-19; Figure 20 is a schematic view of an end panel; Figure 21 is a schematic sectional view through the apparatus; Figure 22 is a plan view of the end panel; Figure 23 is an underside view of the end panel; Figure 24 is a perspective view of the end panel; and Figure 25 shows a further end panel.

Figure 1 diagrammatically shows part of a display apparatus 2 constructed in accordance with the invention. This embodiment is particularly suitable for displaying greeting cards in a retail outlet but it is to be understood that the principles of the invention would be applicable to other types of display. The apparatus 2 includes a display deck 3 which includes a display panel 4 and slat members 8 interlocked therewith. The panel 4 is injection moulded from plastics material and has a plurality of steps or tiers 6, as best seen in Figure 2. The slat members 8 are elongate and each is interlocked with a respective one of the tiers 6 of the panel 4 in order to define a plurality of holding channels 9 into which articles can be placed for display.

The device further includes a support structure generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The support structure includes end beams 12, uprights 14, bracing members 16, drawer support members 18 and a plinth 20. The apparatus further includes a drawer 22 which slides between the drawer support members 18 generally beneath the panel 4. The device shown in Figure 1 can be regarded as a display unit and a number of similar display units can be located side by side to make up a larger card display. An end panel 24 can be

provided for fixing to the end beams 12 and drawer supports 18 to provide a neat appearance for the ends. The display device can be used against a wall or alternatively similar devices can be arranged back-to-back so as to form a double sided display.

Figure 2 illustrates the display panel 4 in more detail. The panel 4 is preferably moulded from polystyrene so as to provide sufficient stiffness and a good finished appearance but may also be manufactured from other suitable material such as thermoplastic polymers or even recycled material. The wall thickness of the panel 4 is preferably in the range 2mm to 6mm depending upon the type of resin used and the size of the panel. Where, polystyrene is used, a thinner wall thickness can be used, say in the range 2mm to 3.5mm. It is, however, possible to utilise polypropylene and in that case the wall thickness would typically be in the range 4mm to Smm. Preferably, the panel has more than ten tiers. In the illustrated arrangement, the display panel has thirteen tiers 6. More particularly, each tier includes a horizontal step 30 and a riser 32. The panel is also provided with a top edge 25 and a bottom bead 26 which provide a neat appearance for the top and bottom of the panel 4. The bead 26 is located just above the drawer 22. The panel 4 has opposed sides 27 and 29 which are formed with a plurality of projecting tabs 28 which project rearwardly. The tabs are for interlocking with complementary slots in the end beams 12, as will be described in more detail below. Each tier of the panel 4 includes openings for forming interlocks with the channel members 8. As best seen in Figures 2 and 5, the steps 30 include openings 34 spaced therealong and each of the risers 32 includes openings 36 spaced therealong. Preferably, the panel 4 is at least 1000mm wide and is most preferably 1200mm wide. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the panel 4 is 1200mm wide and 1500mm high. The panel can be cut to smaller widths if desired. Normally the panel 4 would be moulded having a width in the range 1000mm to 1400mm and a height in the range 1200mm to 2000mm Figure 3 shows more detail part of one of the slat members 8. It will be seen that the member 8 comprises a generally L-shaped moulded section having a bottom leg 38 and a front leg 40. The bottom leg 38 includes a plurality of downwardly extending projections 42 and laterally extending projections 44. The shape and spacing of the projections 42 are such that they can be snugly interlocked with the openings 34 in the steps 30. Similarly the shape and

spacing of the projections 44 are such that they can be snugly interlocked with the openings 36 in risers 32. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the bottom leg 38 has approximately the same width as the step 30 whereby when the members 8 are interlocked with the panel 4, the front legs 40 are more or less contiguous with the risers 32 therebeneath. The height of the front leg 40 is, however, only about half that of the height of the risers 32 to thereby define elongate open channels 112 or pockets in which articles such as greeting cards or the like can be placed.

In the preferred form of the invention, the members 8 are injection moulded from transparent plastics material such as acrylic. Preferably the average wall thickness of the bottom leg 38 and front leg 40 is in the range 2.0mm to 3.5mm. The members 8 have generally the same lengths as the width of the panel 4 or slightly longer so as to engage or overlap the end beams 12.

In an alternative arrangement, the slat member may instead be formed in accordance with the elongate slat members 200, as shown in Figure SA, wherein each member 200 comprises an elongate main body 201 having a short flange 203 extending at an inclined angle from the main body 201. The panel 4 is also modified such that only a single groove 204 is moulded therein for receipt of the flange 203. In the assembled apparatus the main body 201 is flush with the riser 32. Again, the slat members 200 are preferably transparent acrylic.

The flange 203 could be provided with tabs which are similar to the tabs 44 of the slat member 8, such tabs being receivable within recesses (not shown) moulded into the groove 204.

Figures 6 to 12 illustrate in more detail part of the support structure for supporting the display panel 4. Figure 6 shows the bottom of the end beam 12 and the bottom of the upright 14 connected to the drawer support member 18. In the illustrated arrangement, the end beam 12 is connected to the member 18 by means of fasteners 50 such as screws and nuts or cam- locks or the like. The beam 12 and member 18 is provided with aligned holes for the fasteners 50. Similarly, fasteners 52 are used to connect the lower end of the upright 14 to the top rear part of the member 18. Again, aligned holes are moulded for this purpose. A

number of different holes may be provided to accommodate different angles of mounting of the upright 14 relative to the members 18. The member 18 is preferably injection moulded from filled polypropylene, preferably containing a calcium carbonate filler. Preferably the filler is in the range of 20 % to 25 % by volume. Again, however, the member may be formed of any suitable material. The member 18 preferably comprises an integral moulding of upper, intermediate and lower beams 56,58 and 60 interconnected by front and rear beams 62 and 64 and middle beam 66. The middle beam 66 may include a zigzag rib 68 for strengthening the intermediate beam 58. The inner projecting parts 70 of the intermediate beam 58 function as a drawer slide for the drawer 22. The drawer 22 is provided with side grooves 72 which receive the projecting parts 70 to facilitate sliding of the drawer. Each of the beams which make up the drawer support member 18 is generally H-shaped in cross-section, as shown in Figure 8. The lower part of the upright 14 includes a rebate 74 so that it can be neatly connected to the beam 12, as shown in Figures 6 and 8. The upright 14 preferably comprises a moulded element which is again moulded from similar material which is used to make the members 18. Its cross-section is generally an asymmetric H-shape as shown in Figure 9. In this configuration the wider end web 76 faces towards the front of the apparatus.

Figure 7 shows part of the end beam 12 in more detail. The end part includes a rebate 78 so as to provide a neat connection with the member 18. The front edge of the beam 12 is formed with tiers, each having a step and riser 80 and 82 for supporting the ends of the underside of the tiers of the display panel 4. The beam 12 is provided with slots 84 which can receive the projecting tabs 28 at the side margins of the panel 4. Further, the steps 80 are provided with slots 86 and 88 to accommodate the projections 42 and 44 of the channel members 8 respectively. Although it is not shown in the drawings, the beam 12 may include ribbing or the like to increase stiffness of the component. It is preferably injection moulded from the same material as that which is used to form the member 18 and upright 14.

The device preferably includes a brace 16 which interconnects the beam 12 and the upright 14. As best seen in Figure 10, the end beam 12 includes an integral mounting boss 90 to which a front end of the brace 16 is connected by means of fasteners 92, as shown in Figure 10.

Figure 11 illustrates diagrammatically one arrangement for connecting the top of the upright 14 to an upper part of the beam 12. The beam 12 includes a mounting boss 94 to which the upright 14 can be connected by means of upper and lower fasteners 96 and 98. It is preferred that the upper fastener 96 constitutes a pivot whereas the lower fastener 98 is movable in a slot 100 formed in the upright 14 to accommodate different angles of mounting of the upright 14 relative to the beam 12, to allow for different inclination of the panel, as required.

Figure 12 diagrammatically illustrates one arrangement for accommodating interconnections at different angles of the upright 14 and the brace 16 and adjustment of the length of the brace 16. It will be seen that the brace includes a mounting portion 102 which includes longitudinally extending slots 104 for receiving fasteners 106 which extend through holes moulded in a tongue portion 108 of a lower part of the upright 14. The tongue portion is telescopically mounted in the mounting portion 102 to permit adjustment of the length of the upright 14. The brace 16 is provided with longitudinally extending slots 110 which generally overlie a second pair of slots 111 provided in the mounting portion 102 of the upright 14. Fasteners (not shown) can be used to extend through the overlapping slots to interconnect the upright 14 and brace 16 at various angles and to fix the position of the tongue portion 108 in the mounting portion 102.

In use of the device, some of the upper tiers 6 of the panel 4 may be removed by cutting or sawing the panel 4 to make display devices of different heights.

As best seen in Figure 5, the spaces between the front and bottom legs 40 and 38 of the channel members 8 and the risers 32 form the elongate holding channels 9 for holding articles adjacent to the panel 4. In the preferred embodiment, front leg 40 is transparent and therefore articles such as greeting cards will be visible to a customer and will not be obscured by the front leg 40. As mentioned above, the display apparatus 2 can be positioned side by side and connected together to form larger display units. Similarly, the display devices can be positioned back-to-back to provide free standing or double sided display units. Also, the display panel 4 can be cut horizontally so as to enable display or display devices of different

heights to be made using essentially the same components.

Figures 13 and 14 are schematic views of a further embodiment of the invention which incorporates novel drawer support members 120. In the illustrated arrangement, a pair of the drawer support members 120 are arranged side by side so as to cooperate with a drawer 122.

As best seen in Figure 14, the display panel 4 has a lower mounting bracket 126 which is used for fastening to a forward part of the member 120. More particularly, the member 120 includes an inclined mounting portion 128 near its frontal edge. A fastener (not shown) can be used to interconnect the bracket 126 and the mounting portion 128. A similar arrangement is provided at the other side of the panel 4 for fixing the panel to the other member 120.

The structure of the member 120 is illustrated in more detail in Figures 15 to 19. It comprises an injection moulded component having a lower peripheral flange 130, rear flange 132, top flange 134 and frontal flanges 136 and 138. A plurality of strengthening ridges 140 are provided between the various flanges. The inner face of the member 120 is formed with upper and lower roller tracks 142 and 144, as best seen in Figure 17. The tracks 142 and 144 extend substantially along the length of the member approximately midway between the upper and lower flanges 130 and 134. The tracks 142 and 144 are parallel and adjacent to the rear flange 132 are provided with downwardly inclined portions 146 and 148. A roller 150 is mounted between the tracks 142 and 144 adjacent to the forward flange 136, again as shown in Figure 17. Projecting upwardly from the upper flange 134 is a mounting bracket 152. The mounting bracket forms a point of connection for the upright 14, as shown in Figure 13.

In this embodiment, the drawer 22 includes side members 152 each having a longitudinally extending roller track 154. A drawer roller 156 is located near the rear end of the member 152, as shown in Figure 15. Each of the rollers 156 for the sides of the drawer are arranged to run between the tracks 142 and 144 of the side members 120. The roller 150 runs along the underside to the track 154 on the drawer sides 152 in order to support the drawer when it is being moved. The front edge of the member 152 is formed with a support bracket 158 for supporting the front panel 160 of the drawer.

Figures 20 to 24 diagrammatically illustrate an end panel 160 which is mounted between a pair of the panels 4 and 4A which are arranged in a back to back arrangement in the display apparatus. The panel 160 is preferably formed from one of the panels 4 which is cut with stepped side edges 162 and 164. In this way the end panel 160 can cooperate with the panels 4 and 4A so as to form a stepped pyramidal type structure at the end of the display apparatus. Figure 23 shows support members 166 within the end structure so as to hold the various components in place.

Figure 25 diagrammatically illustrates an end panel 170 which has a stepped frontal face 172. The panel 170 is suitable for use on the end of a single sided display apparatus.

Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.