The present invention relates to a system for displaying items, which system comprises a panel and one or more display accessories, wherein said panel comprises at least one magnetic surface and said one or more display accessories are adapted to magnetically attach to said panel. Also, the present invention relates to a display accessory.

Background of the Invention

RM2010A000166 discloses a system comprising a magnetic panel and magnetic shelves. The latter may be positioned and repositioned on the panel, and held in place thanks to the magnets. Thus, the shelves can be placed in any position on the panel, and their arrangement can be changed at any time. However, in order to guarantee a higher capacity and stability, the shelves are envisioned to be mainly L-shaped to extend their contact surface with the panel and to be equipped with a rubber layer to avoid their gradual gliding down the panel. Nevertheless, this solution is not practical, as the shelves are limited to a specific shape and cannot anyhow bear more than a few kilograms; also, it does not apply to other types of display accessories such as hangers, hooks, frames, etc. Additionally, householders, shop keepers, event planners, etc. shall use tools such as a spirit level to position the shelves straight on the panel. RM2010A000166 would then inspire a user the obvious solution of aligning shelves along the side edges of the panel itself, which would then limit the variety of possible arrangements. Hence, there is a need in the technical field of systems for displaying items of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the state-of-the-art solutions.

Object of the Invention

An object of the invention is to provide a system for displaying items, which guarantees a much higher capacity and stability by safely bearing many kilograms, thus encompassing the typical problems of a display accessory gradually gliding down the panel or suddenly falling off the panel together with its items. Another object of the invention is to allow the user to position magnetic display accessories straight or according to predefined patterns on a magnetic sheet. Description of the Invention

The aforementioned objects of the invention are achieved by a system for displaying items as described in the preamble of claim 1, wherein a display accessory comprises one or more support elements attached or integrated underneath said display accessory, wherein said one or more support elements are formed so as to absorb the pressure due to the weight of said display accessory and the items displayed by said display accessory.

The advantage of the invention is that one or more support elements enable a display accessory (e.g., a shelf, a hanger, a hook, a frame, etc.) to bear many items/many kilograms, while avoiding the display accessory suddenly falling off or gliding down the panel.

For instance, in case of a shelf, the number of support elements may be one (e.g., ex- tending along the whole width of the shelf, or being placed underneath the middle of the shelf and extending for a portion of the width of the shelf) or a plurality displaced underneath the shelf along portions of the width of the shelf. In case of a hanger or a hook, which have one or more attachment points/surfaces to the panel, each attachment point may comprise a support element attached or integrated therein. Note that the number of support elements as well as the dimensions of each support element may be devised according to how many kilograms the display accessory has to bear.

In one embodiment, said one or more support elements have a triangular profile. The advantage of this embodiment is that an optimal absorption of the weight is thus achieved. Nevertheless, support elements with squared, half-arched and half-circular profiles are also covered by the invention.

In one embodiment, said one or more support elements are made, partly or completely, of a magnetic material. The advantage of this embodiment is that such a support ele- ment would allow for even a higher capacity and stability of the system.

In one embodiment, said at least one magnetic surface has a plurality of holes, which plurality of holes is arranged in one or more lines, which one or more lines are used for aligning said one or more display accessories when said one or more display accessories are attached to said panel. The advantage of this embodiment is that the user may position the display accessories on the magnetic surface of the panel (and/or on a magnetic sheet attached to a side of the panel) according to predefined patterns (may be even defined by the user on-demand before production), thus being able to make a nice composition without spending long time in assembling it.

In one embodiment, each of said one or more lines is parallel to a side edge of said panel. The advantage of this embodiment is that the user may position the display ac- cessories straight on the magnetic surface of the panel (and/or on a magnetic sheet attached to a side of the panel) without the use of a spirit level or without being limited to align the display accessories along the side edges of the panel. Hence, display accessories may also be positioned, for example, in the middle of the magnetic surface and straightened by aligning them with the lines defined by the holes (e.g., made by perfora- tions) in the magnetic surface of the panel.

Note that the panel, the magnetic surface (and/or the magnetic sheet) may be produced in any desired shape, so as to provide the user with another degree of freedom in his creations (e.g., he could make a panel shaped as the logo of his company).

Another advantage of the invention is that, if one or more interchangeable foils are attached to said magnetic surface (e.g., in an adhesive and/or in a magnetic manner), the holes or perforations are still visible through the foil at a close distance from the displaying system. Hence, the display accessories may still be positioned according to predefined patters as well as straightened on the panel while preserving the outlook of the system, as the dashed/dotted lines generated by the holes are only visible close by and do not create visible protuberances in the foil. Thus, the user may cover the magnetic sheet with colourful motives or commercials, which may also be changed according to the event in course, the season of the year, if the displaying system is used in a cloths shop, etc.

Preferably, said at least one magnetic surface has the same dimensions as said panel (e.g., height: 100 cm; width: 200 cm). Nevertheless, different dimensions may also be envisioned. Moreover, a plurality of magnetic surfaces (or magnetic sheets) may also be attached to one or both sides of said panel in a non-overlapping manner. The advantage of these embodiments is that the user may attach the displaying system on a wall, may use it as an exposition stand (e.g., a stand with wheels) with both sides of the panel exploitable for showing articles, or may combine on it conventional display accessories (e.g., attachable to the panel with screws) with magnetic display accessories (e.g., attachable to the panel with magnets).

In one embodiment, said plurality of lines is arranged adjacent to each other and parallel to a side of said at least one magnetic surface. Advantageously, the distance between said plurality of lines ranges from 1 to 50 cm, preferably 5 cm. The advantage of this embodiment is that it enables the possibility of more variations in setting up the display accessories. Nevertheless, other patterns such as two lines crossing in the middle of the magnetic surface may be used.

In one embodiment, said panel is made of Medium-Density Fibreboard (MDF). Preferably, said MDF panel has a thickness ranging from 10 to 22 mm. The advantage of this embodiment is that the panel may be easily attached to any support surface such as a wall by means of wooden lists, for example. Advantageously, MDF is a light material, which does not distort and may be coloured as desired. Nevertheless, other materials such as chipboard may be used.

In one embodiment, said at least one magnetic surface is made of electric-galvanized iron. Preferably, said magnetic surface has a thickness ranging from 0.1 to 1.9 mm. The advantage of this embodiment is that electric-galvanized iron does not rust, if, for example, the system is placed in a humid environment for storage. Nevertheless, other materials such as iron may be used.

In one embodiment, said one or more display accessories comprise one or more mag- nets. Preferably, said one or more magnets are potted magnets. The advantage of this embodiment is that the display accessories may be firmly attached to the magnetic surface of the panel or on a magnetic sheet attached to the panel. At the same time, this solution offers the users the flexibility of deciding the number of magnets to use on the base of the weight that the display accessories shall sustain. Nevertheless, the display accessories may also be made, partly or completely, of a magnetic material and directly attached to the magnetic surface of the panel. In one embodiment, said one or more magnets are attached to an attachment surface (e.g., a back wall in case of a shelf, one or more attachment points in case of a hanger or a hook) of each of said one or more display accessories. The advantage of this embodiment is that the magnets are placed as close as possible to the magnetic surface of the panel, thus ensuring that the display accessory is firmly attached.

In one embodiment, said one or more magnets are neodymium magnets. The advantage of this embodiment is that such magnets have the highest durability, thus reducing the maintenance for the user. In one embodiment, said one or more magnets are square-shaped magnets. The advantage of this embodiment is that such magnets may bear many kilograms (e.g., 40 kg), thus heavy articles may be displayed on the system without the risk that the display accessory suddenly detaches from the panel. At the same time, square-shaped magnets ease the detachment of the display accessory from the magnetic surface of the panel. Nevertheless, other types of magnets such as round-shaped magnets may also be used.

In one embodiment, each of said magnets comprises a rubber pad. The advantage of this embodiment is that the rubber pads create a higher friction on the magnetic surface or on the interchangeable foil, thus preventing the display accessories from gliding down or fall due to excessive load or from an accidental hit.

In one embodiment, said one or more display accessories, when attached to said at least one magnetic surface, have an inclination angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to said at least one magnetic surface. Preferably, said inclination angle is 22.5 de- grees. Nevertheless, it could range from 0 to +/-90 degrees, with +/- 90 degrees being the case of a frame, for example. The advantage of this embodiment is that different types of display accessories may be attached to the magnetic surface of the panel, thus offering a large range of choices to the user. In one embodiment, said system further comprises one or more interchangeable boundary elements, wherein each of said one or more display accessories comprises one or more ridges, so as to attach therein said one or more interchangeable boundary elements. Preferably, said interchangeable boundary elements are made of plastic. The advantage of this embodiment is that a boundary element may prevent items to slide down and fall, particularly in case of inclined shelves. Moreover, since the boundary elements are interchangeable, various colour combinations together with the foil may be defined as well as changed at any time. In one embodiment, said system further comprises one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) placed behind said panel. Preferably, said LEDs are remotely controllable, e.g., by a remote control. The advantage of this embodiment is that a user may configure the different lights so as to highlight the different items on the display accessories and render its system even more appealing.

Also, the aforementioned objects of the invention are achieved by a display accessory as described in the preamble of claim 10, wherein said display accessory comprises one or more support elements attached or integrated underneath said display accessory, wherein said one or more support elements are formed so as to absorb the pressure due to the weight of said display accessory and the items displayed by said display accessory.

Hereafter, the invention will be described in connection with drawings illustrating non- limiting examples of a system for displaying items and a display accessory. Description of the Drawings

FIG.1 : An example of system for displaying items according to the invention.

FIG.2: A system for displaying items with a magnetic sheet on each side of the panel. FIG.3 : A system for displaying items with two non-overlapping sheets on one side of the panel. FIG.4: Lateral view of a system for displaying items.

FIG.5: An example of magnetic shelf with rubber pads.

FIG.6: An example of magnetic shelf comprising a support element.

FIG.7: An example of hanger comprising two support elements. FIG.8: An example of hook comprising a support element. Detailed Description of the Invention

FIGs.2-4 illustrate examples of a system for displaying items according to the invention, where the different elements of the system (i.e., panel, magnetic sheets, inter- changeable foils, display accessories, etc.) are shown detached from each other, so as to offer a clearer view to the reader of the different elements composing the system.

FIG.1 shows a system 1 for displaying items, which system 1 comprises a panel 2 and two shelves 3,4, wherein the panel 2 in turn comprises a magnetic surface 6 and the shelves 3,4 are adapted to magnetically attach to the panel 2. The shelf 3 comprises one support element 31 having a triangular profile attached underneath the shelf 3. In FIG. l, the magnetic surface 6 has the same dimensions as the panel 2 and has a plurality of holes 9, 10 arranged in two lines 12, 13. Each line 12, 13 is parallel to a side edge 29,30 of the panel 2 and is used for aligning and straightening the shelves 3,4 when the latter are attached to the panel 2.

FIG.2 shows a system 1 for displaying items, which system 1 comprises a panel 2 and three shelves 3,4,5, wherein a magnetic sheet 7,8 is attached to each side 20,21 of the panel 2 and the shelves 3,4,5 are adapted to magnetically attach to the magnetic sheets 7,8. In FIG.2, each of the magnetic sheets 7,8 has the same dimensions as the panel 2 and has a plurality of holes 9, 10, 11 arranged in three lines 12, 13, 14. Each line 12, 13, 14 is parallel to a side edge 29,30 of the panel 2 and is used for aligning and straightening the shelves 3,4,5 when the latter are attached to the panel 2. FIG.3 shows a system 1 for displaying items, which system 1 comprises a panel 2 and two shelves 3,4, wherein two non-overlapping magnetic sheets 7,8 are attached to a side 20 of the panel 2 and the shelves 3,4 are adapted to magnetically attach to the magnetic sheets 7,8. In FIG.3, each of the magnetic sheets 7,8 has a plurality of holes 9, 10 arranged in two lines 12, 13. Each line 12, 13 is parallel to a side edge 29,30 of the panel 2 and is used for aligning and straightening the shelves 3,4 when the latter are attached to the panel 2. FIG.4 shows a system 1 for displaying items, which system 1 comprises a panel 2 and three shelves 3,4,5, wherein a magnetic sheet 7 is attached to a side 20 of the panel 2, an adhesive interchangeable foil 22 is attached to the magnetic sheet 7 and the shelves 3,4,5 are adapted to magnetically attach to the magnetic sheet 7 through the inter- changeable foil 22. In FIG.4, the magnetic sheet 7 and the interchangeable foil 22 have the same dimensions as the panel 2. Moreover, the magnetic sheet 7 has a plurality of holes 9, 10, 11 (not shown in FIG.4) arranged in three lines 12, 13, 14 (not shown in FIG.4). Each line 12, 13, 14 is parallel to a side edge 29,30 of the panel 2 and is used for aligning and straightening the shelves 3,4,5 when the latter are attached to the panel 2. In FIG.4, one shelf 5, when attached to the magnetic sheet 7, has an inclination angle 23 with respect to a plane 24 perpendicular to the magnetic sheet 7.

FIG.5 shows a shelf 3 comprising two magnets 15, 16, one square-shaped 15 and one round-shaped 16, attached to a side wall 25 of the shelf 3. Each of the magnets 15, 16 comprises a rubber pad 17. In FIG.5, an interchangeable boundary element 18 is attached to the shelf 3 thanks to a ridge 19. Finally, the shelf 3 may have dimensions falling within the following ranges: width 26: [5-200] cm; length 27: [5-50] cm; depth 28:

[1-10] cm. FIG.6 shows a shelf 3 comprising one support element 31 having a triangular profile attached underneath the shelf 3 and extending along the whole width 26 of the shelf 3.

FIG.7 shows a hanger 32 comprising two support elements 33,34, each having a triangular profile and being attached underneath the hanger 32 at the two attachment points where the hanger 32 is adapted to be attached to a magnetic panel.

FIG.8 shows a hook 35 comprising one support element 36 having a triangular profile and being integrated underneath the hook 35 at the attachment point where the hook 35 is adapted to be attached to a magnetic panel.