GB2125387A - Display device for rolls of floor covering - Google Patents

Abstract

A roll rack for displaying a plurality of floor covering rolls 14, includes a frame 12 for suspending a plurality of floor covering rolls, a pair of bracket members 30-36 for supporting each of the floor covering rolls, a hoist mechanism 46 for individually elevating the floor covering rolls and a pair of portable extension arms 84a which are individually attachable to the pairs of bracket members to assist in guiding the floor covering rolls, elevated by the hoist mechanism, into a nesting relationship with the appropriate pairs of bracket members. The hoisting mechanism may also be movably associated with the frame such that the hoisting mechanism is capable of being articulated from a display position generally over the frame to a loading/unloading position in which the floor covering rolls may be raised by the hoisting mechanism. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Display device for rolls of floor covering The present invention relates generally to display stands used in connection with marketing a plurality of articles displayed thereon, and particularly to a rack for storing and displaying a plurality of rolls of floor covering, such as carpeting and vinyl flooring.

The proper utilization of floor space is a principle concern in most retailing businesses.

This is particularly true in connection with the marketing of floor coverings, such as carpeting, vinyl flooring and rugs, where it is important to store and display a wide variety of styles and patterns. Accordingly, in order to conserve floor space many retailers have found it advantageous to employ racks or display stands which are capable of vertically displaying a number of floor covering rolls. However, since most floor covering rolls are quite heavy, it is very difficult to manually lift the rolls onto the racks. Although several methods have been employed to mechanically assist the procedure of lifting and hanging the rolls of floor covering individually onto the roll racks, these methods either consume a considerable amount of time and effort or employ complex and expensive mechanisms to accomplish the task.

Accordingly, it is a principle object of the present invention to provide a roll rack for storing and displaying one or more rolls of floor covering which is capable of efficiently and economically lifting and positioning the floor covering rolls onto the rack, and also which is aesthetically pleasing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a roll rack which occupies a minimum of floor space, and yet also provides space on which advertising or other marketing information may be displayed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a roll rack which is capable of displaying a plurality of floor covering rolls on both sides thereof so as to form a display island.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a roll rack which not only mechanically assists the lifting or elevating of the floor covering rolls, but also operates to guide the floor covering rolls onto the roll rack structure and position them in place for display and storage.

To achieve the foregoing objects, the present invention provides a roll rack for stdring and displaying at least one floor covering roll which includes frame means for suspending the floor covering roll, and carriage means associated with the frame means for supporting the floor covering roll at each end thereof. The roll rack also includes hoisting means for elevating the floor covering roll in order to suspend the roll on the frame means. A pair of portable extension arms are attachably associated with the carriage means for guiding the floor covering roll, elevated by the hoisting means, into a nesting relationship with the carriage means. More specifically, the carriage means comprises a pair of bracket members mounted to the frame means, and each of the extension arms are attachable to one of the bracket members.Preferably, of course, a plurality of the bracket member pairs are provided such that a plurality of floor covering rolls may be suspended at different elevations.

One feature of the present invention is the attachment of the extension arms to the bracket members. The bracket members are provided with seating means and the extension arms are provided with projection means which interlock with the seating means of the bracket members such that the extension arms are locked into a predetermined angular or inclined position therewith. This inclined position allows the floor covering roll to roll or slide into a nesting relationship with the bracket members.

In one form of the present invention, the hoisting means is movably associated with the frame means such that a hoisting mechanism may be rotated from a display position to a loading/unloading position where the floor covering rolls may be raised or lowered. The hoisting means includes a boom assembly which permits the hoisting mechanism to be pivoted or rotated from the display to the loading/unloading position. Where the roll rack is adapted to display a plurality of floor covering rolls on both sides of the rack so as to form an island, the boom assembly permits the hoisting mechanism to be rotated 1 800 from a loading/unloading position in front of one side of the roll rack to another loading/unloading position in front of the other side of the roll rack.The portion of the hoisting means including the hoisting mechanism may also be enclosed or otherwise covered by one or more panels or a housing which permits advertising to be displayed thereon.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation view (partially in cross-section) of a roll rack for storing and displaying a plurality of floor covering rolls in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation view (partially in cross-section) of the roll rack illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top elevation view (partially in cross-section) of the roll rack illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a side elevation view of a bracket member forming part of the roll rack illustrated in Figures 1-3.

Figures 5a-c are plan elevation views (partially in cross-section) of a portion of the boom assembly for the roll rack illustrated in Figures 1-3.

Figures 6a-b are plan elevation views (partially in cross-section) of a collar member forming part of the boom assembly for the roll rack illustrated in Figures 1-3.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an extension arm for the present invention.

Figure 8 is a side elevation view (partially in cross-section) of another roll rack in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 9 is a rear elevation view (partially in cross-section) of the roll rack illustrated in Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a top elevation view of the roll rack illustrated in Figures 7 and 8.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of another extension arm embodiment for the present invention.

Figures 12alb are plan elevation views of a roll of floor covering having a central roll tube inserted therethrough.

Figures 13are are plan elevation views of an extension handle according to the present invention.

Figures 14a-b are plan elevation views of a crank handle according to the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1-3, three elevation views of a roll rack 10 according to the present invention are shown. The roll rack 10 includes a frame 12 for suspending a plurality of floor covering rolls 1 4a-h. The frame 12 includes a pair of longitudinally-spaced, generally parallel side members 1 6a-b, and brace means interposed between the side members for maintaining the side members in this generally parallel relationship.The brace means generally comprises a U-channel member 18, a pair of parallel lower brace members 20a-b, and a pair of inclined brace members 22a-b. The ends of the members 18 and 20alb are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the side members 1 6a and 1 6b in a generally perpendicular relationship therewith. The inclined brace member 22a is bolted or otherwise suitably secured at one end thereof to a base member 24a supporting the side member 16a, and welded or bolted to the U-channel member 1 8 at the other end thereof. Similarly, the inclinded brace member 22b is bolted or otherwise suitably secured at one end thereof to a base member 24b supporting the side member 16b, and bolted to the member 18 at the other end thereof.

In one form of the present invention, each of the side members 1 6a and 1 6b comprise a metal plate or sheet whose side edges are first turned inwardly then outwardly at generally 900 angles.

The large side surface areas provided in this manner provide further space for advertising or promotional materials. The side plates 1 6a and 1 6b may be reinforced by one or more reinforcing members welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto, such as reinforcing members 26 and 28.

With respect to the construction for the brace and base members, it is preferred that the bottom brace members 20a-b and the base members 24a-b be comprised of angle iron. The Uchannel member 18 also is made of metal.

Additionally it is preferred that the inclined brace members 22a-b be comprised of metal tubing, and the side reinforcing members 26 and 28 be comprised of metal bars.

The roll rack 10 also includes carriage means, associated with the frame 12, for supporting each of the floor covering rolls 1 4a-h at each end thereof. Although the carriage means may be suitably formed as part of the side members 1 6a-b themselves, it is preferred that carriage means comprise a pair of bracket members for each of the floor covering rolls to be suspended.

Figure 1 illustrates one of the bracket members in each of the pairs of bracket members which extend along one face of the roll rack 10. It is understood, of course, that similar pairs of bracket members are utilized along the other face.

Specifically, Figure 1 illustrates bracket members 30-36 which are mounted to the side member 1 6a such that a plurality of floor covering rolls may be suspended at different vertical elevations.

The other bracket member of the bracket member pairs is mounted to the side member 1 6b at a corresponding vertical altitude which will permit the floor covering rolls to be suspended in a generally parallel relationship to each other. This may be best illustrated with reference to Figure 3, which shows a bracket member 31 mounted to the side member 1 6b. It should be understood that bracket members 30 and 31 form the topmost bracket member pair along the front face of the roll rack 10.

Although the bracket members 30-36 are shown to be equally spaced in the vertical direction in Figure 1, other suitable spacings may be provided in the appropriate application. While it is preferred that the bracket members be welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the side members, attachment means which will permit the vertical positions of the bracket members to be adjusted may be provided for in the appropriate application.

An enlarged side elevation view of one of the bracket members is shown in Figure 4. The bracket member 30 includes channel means for nestingly receiving one end of the floor covering roll 1 4a. The channel means generally comprises an upwardly opening channel 38 of a size sufficient to accommodate a central roll tube 40 of the floor covering roll 1 4a. An aperture 42 is provided below the channel 38 for permitting a bearing 44 (shown in dashed lines) to be bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the bracket member 30 to facilitate the rotation of the floor covering roll 1 4a while suspended on the roll rack 10. It should also be appreciated that more than one bearing may be provided in the appropriate application.

The roll rack 10 also includes hoisting means for individually elevating each of the floor covering rolls 1 4a-h in order to suspend these floor covering rolls on the roll rack. The hoisting means generally comprises a hoisting mechanism 46, and a boom assembly 48 rotatably mounted to the frame 12 for supporting the hoisting mechanism and permitting the hoisting mechanism to be pivoted from a display position to a loading/unloading position. The hoisting mechanism 46 is preferably a Dutton-Lainson Company SA 9000 AC electric winch with a 2,700 lb. lift capacity. However, other suitable electrical or mechanical winches or lifts may be employed in the appropriate application, such as a Superwinch, Inc., Model No. We 1 5 electric winch capable of lifting a 1,000 Ib. dead weight.

Three plan elevation views of a portion of the boom assembly 48 are shown in Figures 5a-c.

The boom assembly 48 includes a generally vertically disposed cylindrical member 50, and a generally horizontally disposed beam member 52 welded or otherwise suitably secured to the top end of the cylindrical member. A mounting plate 54 is attached as by welding to one end of the beam member 52 for mounting of the hoisting mechanism 46. The boom assembly 48 may also be provided with gusset plates 56 and 58 for reinforcing the connection between the cylindrical member 50 and the beam member 52. In one form of the present invention, the cylindrical member 50 comprises a seamless metal cold drawn tube, and the beam member 52 comprises a metal U-channel. However, other suitable constructions may be employed, such as a square steel tube for the beam member 52.The cylindrical member 50 is also provided with a suitable aperture 60 for permitting a pair of bearings 62 and 63 to be bolted or otherwise secured to the cylindrical member by an elongated bolt 64 to facilitate the rotation of the cylindrical member about its longitudinal axis (represented by center line 66). The cylindrical member 50 is rotatably mounted to the frame 12 through a suitable aperture 68 in the U-channel member 1 8. The cylindrical member 50 extends through the aperture 68 and into at least a portion of a tubular member 70 which has an inner diameter suitably larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical member 50. Cylindrical member 50 also extends through a central opening 71 of a collar member 72 which is secured to the Uchannel member 18.

Two enlarged plan elevation views of the collar member 72 are provided by Figures 6a and b. A plurality of upwardly opening, radially extending grooves 74a-d disposed at 900 intervals are provided around the circumference of the collar member 72. These grooves serve to define the display and loading/unloading positions for the hoisting mechanism 46 as will be more fully described below. The collar member 72 also includes the central opening 71 extending through the center of the collar member. The opening 71 is large enough to fit around the cylindrical member 50. The collar member may be welded or otherwise secured to the U-channel 18 or to the tubular member 70 such that the grooves 74a-d are permanently fixed in position with respect to the frame 12.The collar member is also provided with stopping means, such as tang 76, for preventing a complete 3600 rotation of the cylindrical member 50. When the cylindrical member 50 is rotated with respect to the frame 12 in either direction, the tang 76 will eventually engage one end of the bolt 64 and prevent continued rotation in the chosen direction. This feature is provided in order to prevent coiling or twisting of the hoisting mechanism electric cord. However, it should be appreciated that if a mechanical winch is employed as the hoisting mechanism, there would be no need to provide the stopping means described above, unless electrical power is otherwise supplied along the boom assembly.

As may best be seen with reference to Figure 1, the U-channel member 18 and the collar member 72 are positioned below the top of the side members 1 6a-b in order to conceal, at least in part, the member 18, the collar member 72 and the bearings 62 and 63. However, it should be appreciated that the member 18 and collar member may be located at other suitable positions such as at or near the top of the side members 1 6a-b.

The lower end of the tubular member 70 is anchored to a pair of center base members 78ab which operate to maintain the tubular member 70 in a generally perpendicular relationship with the floor or surface upon which the roll rack is positioned. A pair of gusset plates 80a-b may also be interposed between the central base members 78a-b and the tubular member 68 to reinforce or strengthen this connection.

The upper portion of the boom assembly 48 and the hoisting mechanism 46 are suitably enclosed in a housing 82 for aesthetic and advertising purposes. The housing is best depicted in Figures 1-3. The housing 82 conceals those members and also provides one or more surfaces suitable for displaying advertising or other marketing information thereon.

Figures 1 through 3 illustrate the hoisting mechanism 46 in one of its two loading/ unloading positions (the loading/unloading position for the front face of the roll rack 10). In this position, the hoisting mechanism 46 is laterally offset from the racket members 30-36 a predetermined distance which enables the hoisting mechanism to individually raise or lower each of the floor covering rolls 1 4a-d without hitting any of the floor covering rolls already suspended by the frame 12. This predetermined distance should be such that a new or full floor covering roll will clear each of the other floor covering rolls already suspended by the frame 12.

This clearance is illustrated in Figure 1 by the floor covering roll 1 4a' suspended by the hoisting mechanism 46 (shown in phantom) in relation to the other floor covering rolls already suspended by the frame 12. It may also be noted at this point that the hoisting means is associated with the frame 1 2 such the hoiting mechanism 46 is disposed a predetermined distance above the topmost pair of bracket members (i.e. bracket members 30 and 31), so that the hoisting mechanism will be capable of elevating the central roll tube 40' of the floor covering roll 1 4a' to a vertical elevation above the upwardly opening channel 38 of the bracket member 30.

The other loading/unloading position of the hoisting mechanism 46 is diametrically opposed to the position shown in Figures 1 through 3. In other words, the hoisting mechanism 46 may be articulated from the front face loading/unloading position to a rear face loading/unloading position by rotating the cylindrical member 1800. In the latter position, the hoisting mechanism 46 will be laterally offset from the bracket members disposed along the rear face of the roll rack 10 a distance corresponding to the predetermined distance of the front face loading/unloading position. With bracket member pairs suitably mounted along both the front and rear faces of the roll rack 10, floor covering rolls may be suspended along both the front and rear faces of the frame 12 such that the roll rack forms a display island.

When the hoisting mechanism 46 is in its display position, it is disposed generally over the frame 12, as shown by the phantom lines in Figures 2 and 3. In this position, the beam member 52 is situated generally parallel to the longitudinal axes of the rolls of floor covering on the rack. Also, the elongated surfaces 83 of the housing 82 are situated for better presentation of advertising messages. When the hoisting means is rotated from one of its loading/unloading positions to its display position, the outer dimensions of the floor covering rolls suspended along the front and rear faces of the roll rack 10 preferably extend beyond the outer edges of the housing 82 (as shown in Figure 3); this prevents obstructions to passersby.

As described above, grooves 74a-d of the collar member 72 (shown in Figures 6a and 6b) define the loading/unloading and display positions for the hoisting mechanism 46. As the cylindrical member 50 rotates about the center line 66, the bearings 62 and 63 will revolve around the top surface 75 of the collar member 72. When the bearings 62 and 63 encounter an opposing set of grooves, such as grooves 74b and 74d, the weight of the boom assembly 48 will force the bearings into the grooves. Once the bearings 62 and 63 are seated in the opposing grooves, a greater force will be required to unseat the bearings from the grooves than otherwise required to rotate the cylindrical member about the center line 66.Accordingly, this change in force (as well as a small change in the elevation of the boom assembly) will indicate to the operator that the appropriate loading/unloading or display positions have been reached. Since the collar is secured to the member 1 8 and/or the tubular member 70 of the roll rack frame 12, the grooves 74a-d ensure that the beam member 52 of the boom assembly 48 will be positioned either generally perpendicular to, or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roll rack 10.

The roll rack 10 also includes at least one pair of portable extension arms 84a and 84b, one extension arm of which is shown in Figure 1. The pair of extension arms are attachable to a pair of the bracket members for guiding a floor covering roll once it is elevated by the hoisting mechanism 46 into a nesting relationship with the bracket members. As illustrated in Figure 1, when the hoisting mechanism 46 is in one of its loading/ unloading positions and the extension arms 84a, 84b are attached to a pair of bracket members 30, 3lithe hoisting mechanism will be vertically disposed over at least a portion of the extension arms such that the ends of the central roll tube 40 for the floor covering roll after it is elevated by the hoisting mechanism will engage the exension arms as the floor covering roll is lowered.

One feature of the present invention is the attachment of the extension arms 84a and 84b to the bracket members 30-36. Each of the bracket members are provided with seating means for locking the extension arms into a predetermined angular position with the bracket members. As shown in Figure 7, extension arms 84a and 84b each comprise a pair of metal plates 85a and 85b positioned and locked together in a parallel relationship by two pairs of rod means or bolts 86a-b and 87a-b. Each of the pair of rod means are disposed at the two ends 88a and 88b of the extension arms. The rod means at a first end 88a (i.e. the end to be attached) cooperate with the seating means of the bracket members to lock the extension arms into the predetermined angular position with the bracket members.This predetermined angular position imparts a gravitation force on the floor covering rolls which operates to urge the floor covering rolls to roll or slide down the extension arms and into the nesting relationship with the appropriate pair of bracket members. As shown in Figure 1, this predetermined angular position may be characterized as an inclined position in that the second or free end 88b of the extension arms 84a (opposing the first end) is disposed horizontally above the first end 88a of the bracket members.

While the slope of this incline may be suitably varied in the appropriate application, the incline should be such that the floor covering roll will tend to roll toward the pair of bracket members.

Preferably the slope should be on the order of 100 (from the horizontal) in order to allow the floor covering roll to roll gently and under control to its nesting position. If the slope is greater than this, the roll will tend to slide along the incline surface.

As may best be seen with reference to Figure 4, the seating means of the bracket members 30, 31 include an upper blocking wall portion or shoulder 89 and a lower blocking wall portion or shoulder 90. These two shoulders are oppositely faced such that the upper shoulder 89 generally faces the frame 12 while the lower shoulder 90 generally faces the floor covering roll to be supported by the bracket member. In one form of the present invention, the upper blocking wall portion 89 forms part of an upwardly opening groove 91 which together with the lower blocking wall portion 90 defines a wing portion 92 of the bracket member. However, it should be noted that these blocking wall portions or shoulders may also be formed by drilling suitable holes through the bracket member or by otherwise appropriately controlling the shape of the bracket member.

Additionally, while it is preferred that the upwardly opening channel 38 will be interposed between the frame 1 2 and the upper and lower blocking wall portions, other suitable positional arrangements may be provided in accordance with the shapes of the bracket members and the extension arms.

As indicated above, the rod means of the extension arms include two pair of spaced rods or bolts 86a-b and 87alb which extend between the plates 85a and 85b. The rod means secure the plates 85a and 85b together and also are used to attach the extension arms 84 to the brackets 30-36. The extension arms are also provided with spacer means for maintaining the parallel separation between plates 85a and 85b.

This spacer means preferably comprises a pair of flat metal bars 93a-b welded or otherwise suitable secured to the plates 85a and 85b. It is also possible to keep the plates 85a and 85b separated by other means, such as short cylinders or tubes placed over the bolts 86a-b and 87ab.

When the extension arms are attached to the bracket members, the rod means 86a operatively bears against the upper blocking wall portion 89 and the rod means 86b operatively bears against the lower blocking wall portion 90. It will be appreciated that this interlocking cooperation between the rod means of the extension arms and the blocking wall portions or shoulders of the bracket members operates to prevent the second or free ends 88b of the bracket members from being forced downwardly by the weight of a floor covering roll being lowered thereon by the hoisting mechanism 46.However, this interlocking cooperation also permits the extension arms to be easily and quickly detached from the bracket members after it is used by simply swinging the second or free end of the extension arms upwardly a distance sufficient to disengage the rod means of the extension arms from the bracket members.

With the disclosed form of the extension arms, it should be appreciated that the ends and sides are symmetrical and that either end 88a and 88b can be connected to the brackets 30-36 and either end can be the outer or "free" end.

Although the form of the extension arms with the rectangular plates 85a and 85b and the rod or bolt means 86a-b and 87a-b is the preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, it is understood that this form is intended to be exemplary only and that other suitable forms of extension arms, such as will be described with reference to Figure 11, may be provided in the appropriate application.

The method of operating the roll rack 10 in order to vertically store and display a plurality of floor covering rolls thereon will now be briefly described. First, the hoisting mechanism 46 is articulated from its display position to one of its loading/unloading positions so that a floor covering roll can be elevated by the hoisting mechanism. For example, the hoisting mechanism 46 may be rotated to the front face loading/ unloading position shown as in Figure 1 in order to suspend the floor covering roll 1 4a on the topmost pair of brackets 30 and 31. The roll 1 4a is then positioned on the floor generally below the hoisting mechanism 46 so that the cable 94 of the hoisting mechanism may be lowered and attached to it.

The cable 94, which is preferably formed of a two inch wide nylon strap or webbing, is wrapped around and secured to the roll 14a'. An attaching mechanism or hook 95 is slidingly positioned at the end of the strap 94. The hook preferably is Model SWL 1-T made by Newco in Kansas City, Mo. The hook has a slot 96 at one end which allows the strap to slide therethrough and an engagement hook 97 at the other end. The strap has a loop 98 at its outer end which is positioned through the slot 96, wrapped around the roll, and fastened over the engagement hook (as shown in Figure 1) when the floor covering rolls are to be moved by the hoisting mechanism.

The employment of a nylon strap as the winch cable 94 is particularly advantageous because the width of the strap assists the balancing of the floor covering rolls as they are loaded and unloaded, and minimizes or eliminates any deformation or damage of the floor covering roll during this process. Additionally, the nylon strap acts as a brake to ensure that the floor covering roll does not roll too quickly down the extension arms, as will be described below.

The nylon strap 94 is preferably wrapped around the circumference of the floor covering roll at the center thereof. The hoisting mechanism 46 is then energized to elevate the floor covering roll 1 4a to a vertical altitude above the topmost pair of bracket members (as shown by 14a' in Figure 1) and the pair of extension arms 84a and 84b are attached to the pair of bracket members 30 and 31, respectively.To control the attitude and balancing of the floor covering roll as it is lifted, an extension handle may be attached to one end of the central roll to provide a convenient handhold on central roll tube 40, as will be more fully described with reference to Figures 1 3a-c. As will be appreciated, the roll 1 4a has to be elevated to a position above the bracket members so that the extension arms 84a and 84b can be attached without interference.

After the extension arms are attached to the topmost pair of bracket members, the hoisting mechanism 46 is activated in the reverse direction to lower the floor covering roll 1 4a onto the extension members. Specifically, the ends of the central roll tube 40 of the floor covering roll 1 4a engage the top edges of the extension arms, such as top edge 101 of the extension arm 84a.

As the hoisting mechanism 46 continues to lower the floor covering roll, the ends of the central roll tube 40 roll or slide down the top edges of the extension arms toward the upwardly opening channels 38 of the bracket members until they are settled within the channels. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the extension arms operate to guide the floor covering roll 1 4a into a nesting relationship with the bracket members.

After the ends of the central tube 40 drop into the channels 38 of the bracket members, the nylon strap 94 of the hoisting mechanism 46 is detached from the floor covering roll and the extension arms 84a, b are detached from the bracket members. The process is then repeated in a similar fashion until the required number of rolls are stored and displayed in the rack. Since all of the work of lifting and positioning is done by the hoisting mechanism and inclined surfaces, the invention provides a display rack which can be stocked more easily and quickly and without undue effort.

It is also clear that if it is necessary to remove or replace one or more rolls from one rack, the loading process described above is essentially repeated in reverse sequence.

Referring now to Figures 8 through 10, three plan elevation views are shown of another embodiment of the invention. The roll rack 100 is generally similar to the roll rack 10, except that the roll rack 100 includes a hoisting mechanism 102 whose position is fixed and the roll rack 100 is adapted to suspend a plurality of floor covering rolls 104a--g from only one side thereof. In use, the roll rack 100 is adapted for being positioned along a wall or other surface, while the roll rack 10 is adapted for being positioned in the center of a large floor area.

The roll rack 100 includes a frame 106 for suspending the floor covering rolls 1 04a-g, and a plurality of bracket member pairs mounted to the frame (such as bracket member 108). The roll rack 100 further includes a pair of portable extension arms which are attachable to the bracket members, such as extension arm 110 shown in Figure 8. An enlarged perspective view of the extension arm 110 is shown in Figure 11.

The extension arm 110 is shown to comprise a pair of metal plates 112 and 114, an elongated metal plate 11 6 interposed therebetween and rod means or bolts 11 8a-1 1 8f for positioning the plates 112 and 114 in a generally parallel relationship and locking the plate 11 6 therebetween. Rod means 11 8a and 11 8b are disposed generally at a first end 120 of the extension arms to cooperate with the seating means of the bracket members to lock the extension arms into the predetermined angular position with the bracket members in the same manner as discussed above in connection with the roll rack 10.

The operation of the roll rack 100 is generally similar to the operation of the roll rack 10 described above, except that there is no articulation or rotation of the hoisting mechanism.

However, it should be appreciated that the roll rack 100 may be modifed in the appropriate application such that the hoisting mechanism 102 is movably associated with the frame 1 06.

For example, a pair of rails may be provided upon which the hoisting mechanism 102 may be slideably mounted. This would permit the hoisting mechanism 102 to be articulated or translated from a display position where the hoisting mechanism is disposed generally over the frame 106 to the loading/unloading position as shown in Figure 8. It should also be understood that a similar sliding construction may also be employed in connection with roll rack 10 of Figures 1-3.

Additionally, in the appropriate application, it may be desirable to locate the hoisting mechanism remotely from the roll rack frame until it is necessary to restock the roll rack with one or more rolls of floor covering. Another alternative which would be applicable to both roll racks 10 and 100 would be to provide two hoisting mechanisms which would operate in tandem to lift the rolls of floor covering at each end thereof.

The frame 106 for the roll rack 100 includes a pair of side or leg members at each end thereof, namely leg members 122alb and 1 24a-b, and brace means for maintaining these leg members in a generally parallel relationship. The brace means generally comprises a full length inclined brace member 126 and two half length inclined brace members 128 and 130. The full length inclined brace member 126 is bolted or otherwise suitably secured at its top end to the side member 1 24a and bolted or otherwise suitably secured at its lower end to the side member 122a.The half length inclined brace member 128 is similarly secured to the side member 1 24a at its lower end, and the half length inclined brace member 1 30a is secured to the side member 1 22a at its upper end. The other ends of the half length inclined brace members 128 and 130 are secured to a central brace member 132a which is disposed generally in the center of the frame 106.

The frame 106 is also provided with a second central brace member 1 32b which is spaced from and extends generally parallel to the central brace member 132a. A pair of cross brace members 134alb may also be secured to the central brace members 132alb at the center of the frame 106 to provide additional support.

The frame 106 is also provided with a base member at each end thereof, namely base members 1 36a-b, as well as a top brace member 138 and a bottom brace member 140 for further supporting the side members. The central brace members 132a-b are also supported by a pair of lower gusset brace members 142alb which extend downwardly from the central brace members at an inclined angle. The hoisting mechanism 102 is supported in part by a pair of upper gusset brace members 144alb which extend upwardly from the central brace members 132alb at an inclined direction.

The housing mechanism 102 is also supported by a pair of generally horizontally extending top cross brace members 146alb which extend between the central brace members 132alb and the upper gusset brace members 1 44a-b.

As in the case of roll rack 10, the roll rack 100 includes a housing 148 for concealing the hoisting mechanism 102 and for providing a plurality of surfaces suitable for displaying advertising or other marketing information thereon, such as front display panel 1 50 and side display panels 1 52 and 1 54. The frame 106 may also be provided with additional brace members for supporting these panels, such as brace members 1 56 and 1 58a-b.

Referring now to Figure 12a, a side elevation view (partially in cross-section) of a floor covering roll 1 60 is shown. A fragmentary side elevation view of the floor covering roll 1 60 is also shown in Figure 12b. Floor covering roll 1 60 is exemplary of rolls 1 4a-g and 104razz described above. The floor covering roll 1 60 includes a conventional tube 1 62 around which the floor covering is wrapped prior to shipment.

Since this tube typically does not extend beyond the ends of the floor covering, such as ends 1 64 and 166, the floor covering roll 1 60 is provided with a central roll tube 1 68 in order to be stored and displayed in accordance with the present invention. The central roll tube 1 68 (which is referred to above as central roll tube 40 for the roll rack 10) is adapted to be coaxially disposed through the tube 162. The tube 168 should also be of a length such that it will not only extend beyond the ends 1 64 and 1 66 of the floor covering roll, but also extend a suitable distance beyond the bracket members of the roll rack, such as bracket members 1 70 and 1 72 (comparable to bracket members 30 and 31).

In order to ensure the proper positioning of the floor covering roll 160 on the roll rack, a pair of washers 174 and 1 76 are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the central roll tube 1 68.

These washers should be positioned such that they will be interposed between the bracket members 1 70 and 172 and the ends 164 and 166 of the floor covering roll. In this position, the washers 1 74 and 1 76 will ensure that the central roll tube 1 68 is properly positioned on the rack and will not slip off one of the bracket members.

The central roll tube 168 is also provided with a diametrically extending pin mounted at each end thereof, namely pins 1 78 and 180. These pins operate in combination with the tools illustrated in Figures 13are and Figures 1 4a-b, as will be more fully described below.

Referring to Figures 1 3a-c, three plan elevation views of an extension handle 1 82 are shown. The extension handle 182 includes a pair of opposing, axially extending slots 184alb formed in a cylindrical member 185, which will permit the extension handle to be inserted into the central roll tube 168 at one end thereof by receiving the appropriate pin 1 78, 1 80 therein.

The extension handle 182 also includes a pair of opposing, transversely extending slots 186alb which are also adapted to receive the appropriate pin in order that the extension handle may be locked onto the central roll tube 1 68 in a bayonettype joint. The extension handle 182 is used during the loading/unloading process described above to provide a convenient handle for the operator to facilitate the balancing and positioning of the floor covering roll. It should be appreciated that the outer diameter of the extension handle 1 82 should be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the central roll tube 1 68, and that the length and shape of the extension handle may be varied in accordance with the appropriate application.

Referring to Figures 1 4a-b, two elevation views of a crank handle 1 88 are shown. The crank handle includes a similar bayonet joint construction as that employed for the extension handle, in order for the crank handle to be removably mounted to one end of the central roll tube 1 68. Accordingly, the crank handle includes a pair of opposing, axially extending slots 190at b and a pair of opposing, transversely extending slots 192alb in a first cylindrical member 194, which are adapted to receive the pin mounted to one end of the central roll tube 1 68.A flat bar member 1 96 is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the first cylindrical member 194 at one end thereof such that the bar member will extend radially outwardly from the central roll tube 1 68 when the crank handle is attached thereto. A second cylindrical member 198 is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the other end of the crank handle 188, such that the first and second cylindrical members will extend generally opposite to each other in parallel. Suitable bends may also be provided in the bar member 196 so that the second cylindrical member 198 will extend well clear of the roll rack frame. The crank handle 188 is used when it is desired to unroll a portion or length of the floor covering from a floor covering roll suspended on the roll rack. By attaching the crank handle 188 to the central roll tube 168 and rotating the second cylindrical member about the central axis of the floor covering roll, the crank handle will cause the central roll tube 168 and thus the floor covering roll to rotate therewith.

Claims (46)

Claims

1. A roll rack for displaying at least one floor covering roll, comprising: frame means for suspending said floor covering roll; carriage means, associated with said frame means, for supporting said floor covering roll at each end thereof; hoisting means for elevating said floor covering roll; and a pair of portable extension arms, attachably associated with said carriage means for guiding said floor covering roll, elevated by said hoisting means, into a nesting relationship with said carriage means.

2. The roll rack according to Claim 1, wherein said carriage means comprises a pair of bracket members mounted to said frame means, and each of said extension arms are attachable to one of said bracket members.

3. The roll rack according to Claim 2, wherein said roll rack includes a plurality of said bracket member pairs, each of which being vertically spaced such that a plurality of floor covering rolls may be suspended at different elevations.

4. The roll rack according to Claim 3, wherein each of said bracket members includes seating means for locking said extension arms into a predetermined angular position therewith.

5. The roll rack according to Claim 4, wherein each of said extension arms includes rod means disposed generally at a first end thereof for cooperating with said seating means to lock said extension arms into said predetermined angular position with said bracket members.

6. The roll rack according to Claim 5, wherein said predetermined angular position operates to urge said floor covering rolls into said nesting relationship with said pairs of bracket members.

7. The roll rack according to Claim 6, wherein said predetermined angular position is characterized as an inclined position in that a second end of said bracket members is disposed above said first end of said bracket members.

8. The roll rack according to Claim 7, wherein said seating means includes an upper blocking wall portion and a lower blocking wall portion, said upper and lower blocking wall portion being oppositely faced.

9. The roll rack according to Claim 8, wherein each of said extension arms comprises a pair of spaced, generally parallel plates locked together by said rod means, and said rod means includes first and second spaced bolts which operate such that said first bolt bears against said upper blocking wall portion and said second bolt bears against said lower blocking wall portion when said extension arms are attached to said bracket members.

10. The rol rack according to Claim 5, wherein said hoisting means includes a hoisting mechanism, and said hoisting means is associated with said frame means such that said hoisting mechanism is disposed above a topmost pair of said bracket members and vertically positionable over at least a portion of said extension arms when said extension arms are attached to one of said pairs of bracket members.

11. The roll rack according to Claim 10, wherein said frame means includes a pair of longitudinally-spaced, generally parallel side means for supporting said bracket members and brace means interposed between said side means for maintaining said side means in said generally parallel relationship.

12. The roll rack according to Claim 11, wherein one bracket member from each of said pairs of bracket members extends from one of said side means and the other bracket member from each of said pairs of bracket members extends from the other of said side means, such that said bracket members operate to suspend said floor covering rolls in a generally parallel relationship to each other.

13. The roll rack according to Claim 10, wherein said hoisting mechanism includes a nylon strap for elevating said floor covering rolls.

14. The roll rack according to Claim 10, wherein said hoisting means is mounted to said frame means such that said hoisting mechanism is laterally offset from said bracket members a predetermined distance which enables said hoisting mechanism to elevate one of said floor covering rolls without contacting any other of said floor covering rolls suspended by said frame means.

1 5. The roll rack according to Claim 2, wherein said floor covering roll is provided with a central roll tube having a length greater than the length of said floor covering roll such that the ends of said central roll tube engage said pair of bracket members in said nesting relationship.

16. The roll rack according to Claim 15, wherein said central roll tube is provided with positioning means, disposed generally adjacent said floor covering roll, for positioning said floor covering roll on said roll rack.

17. The roll rack according to Claim 15, wherein said roll rack includes an extension handle which is attachable to said central roll tube at end thereof.

18. The roll rack according to Claim 17, wherein said extension is a cylindrical member having slot means formed therein for cooperating with a diametrically extending pin mounted in said central roll tube to lock said extension handle onto said central roll tube.

1 9. The roll rack according to Claim 1 5, wherein said roll rack includes a crank handle which is attachable to said central roll tube at one end thereof.

20. The roll rack according to Claim 19, wherein said crank handle includes a first cylindrical member having slot means formed therein for cooperating with a diametrically extending pin mounted in said central roll tube to lock said crank handle onto said central roll tube, a bar member secured to said first cylindrical member at one end and extending therefrom at a predetermined angle, and a second cylindrical member secured to said bar member at the other end thereof such that said second cylindrical member extends in a direction opposite to said first cylindrical member generally in parallel.

21. A roll rack for displaying at least one floor covering roll, comprising: frame means for suspending said floor covering roll; carriage means, associated with said frame means, for supporting said floor covering roll at each end thereof; hoisting means, movably associated with said frame means, for elevating said floor covering roll; and a pair of portable extension arms, attachably associated with said carriage means for guiding said floor covering roll, elevated by said hoisting means, into a nesting relationship with said carrage means.

22. The roll rack according to Claim 21, wherein said carriage means comprises a pair of bracket members mounted to said frame means, and each of said extension arms are attachable to one of said bracket members.

23. The roll rack according to Claim 22, wherein said frame means includes a plurality of said bracket member pairs, each of which being vertically spaced such that a plurality of floor covering rolls may be suspended at different elevations.

24. The roll rack according to Claim 23, wherein said hoisting means includes a hoisting mechanism, and said hoisting means-is associated with said frame means such that said hoisting mechanism is disposed above a topmost pair of said bracket members.

25. The roll rack according to Claim 24, wherein said hoisting means is movably associated with said frame means such that said hoisting mechanism may be articulated from a display position to a loading/unloading position in which said floor covering rolls may be individually elevated by said hoisting mechanism.

26. The roll rack according to Claim 25, wherein said hoist mechanism is disposed generally over said frame means in said display position, and said hoisting mechanism is laterally offset from said bracket members in said loading/ unloading position a predetermined distance which enables said hoisting mechanism to individually elevate said floor covering rolls without contacting any other of said floor covering rolls vertically suspended by said frame means.

27. The roll rack according to Claim 26, wherein said hoisting means further includes a boom assembly, rotatably mounted to said frame means, for supporting said hoisting mechanism and permitting said hoisting mechanism to be pivoted from said display position to said loading/unloading position.

28. The roll rack according to Claim 27, wherein said boom assembly includes a generally vertically disposed cylindrical member, a collar member interposed between said frame means and said cylindrical member, and a generally horizontally disposed beam member mounted to a top end of said cylindrical member, said hoisting mechanism being mounted to one end of said beam member.

29. The roll rack according to Claim 28, wherein said collar member is formed with groove means for defining said display and loading/ unloading positions.

30. The roll rack according to Claim 27, wherein said frame means is provided with a plurality of said bracket member pairs on both a front and rear face thereof, such that a plurality of said floor covering rolls may be suspended along both the front and rear faces of said frame means.

31. The roll rack according to Claim 30, wherein said hoisting mechanism is articulable to a first loading/unloading position in which said hoisting mechanism is laterally offset a predetermined distance from said front face of said frame means, and said hoisting mechanism is articulable to a second loading/unloading position in which said hoisting mechanism is laterally offset a corresponding distance from said rear face of said frame means.

32. The roll rack according to Claim 31, wherein each of said bracket members includes seating means for locking said extension arms into a predetermined angular position therewith.

33. The roll rack according to Claim 32, wherein each of said extension arms includes rod means disposed generally at a first end thereof for cooperating with said seating means to lock said extension arms into said predetermined angular position with said bracket members.

34. The roll rack according to Claim 33, wherein said predetermined angular position operates to urge said floor covering rolls into said nesting relationship with said pairs of bracket members.

35. The roll rack according to Claim 34, wherein said predetermined angular position is characterized as an inclined position in that a second end of said bracket members is disposed above said first end of said bracket members.

36. The roll rack according to Claim 35, wherein said seating means includes an upper blocking wall portion and a lower blocking wall portion, said upper and lower blocking wall portion being oppositely faced.

37. The roll rack according to Claim 36, wherein each of said extension arms comprises a pair of spaced, generally parallel plates locked together by said rod means.

38. The roll rack according to Claim 37, wherein said rod means includes first and second spaced bolts which operate such that said first bolt bears against said upper blocking wall portion and said second bolt bears against said lower blocking wall portion when said extension arms are attached to said bracket members.

39. The roll rack according to Claim 38, wherein said frame means includes a pair of longitudinally-spaced, generally parallel side means for supporting said bracket members and brace means interposed between said side means for maintaining said side means in said generally parallel relationship.

40. The roll rack according to Claim 39, wherein one bracket member from each of said pairs of bracket members extends from one of said side means and the other bracket member from each of said pairs of bracket members extends from the other of said side means such that said bracket members operate to suspend said floor covering rolls in a generally parallel relationship to each other.

41. The roll rack according to Claim 27, wherein said hoisting mechanism includes a nylon strap for elevating said floor covering rolls.

42. The roll rack according to Claim 29, wherein said boom assembly includes bearing means secured to said cylindrical member for facilitating the rotation of said cylindrical member, and said collar member includes stopping means for preventing a complete rotation of said cylindrical member in cooperation with said bearing means.

43. A method of suspending at least one floor covering roll in a roll rack having a frame, a pair of bracket members mounted to said frame for supporting said floor covering roll at each end thereof, a hoisting mechanism associated with same frame and having strap means for elevating said floor covering roll, and a pair of portable extension arms, comprising the steps of:: positioning said floor covering roll below said hoisting mechanism; attaching said strap means from said hoisting mechanism to said floor covering roll; operating said hoisting mechanism to elevate said floor covering roll to a vertical altitude above said bracket members; attaching said pair of extension arms to said pair of bracket members; operating said hoisting mechanism in the reverse direction to lower the ends of said floor covering roll onto said extension members and permitting said floor covering roll to be guided by said extension members into a nesting relationship with said bracket members.

44. The method according to Claim 43, including the step of articulating said hoisting mechanism from a display position to a loading unloading position in which said floor covering roll may be elevated by said hoisting mechanism.

45. A method of suspending floor covering rolls in a roll rack substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

46. A roll rack for displaying floor covering rolls, the rack being constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.