US1687962A - Display stand - Google Patents

Description

1,687,962 B. E. WILLETT DISPLAY STAND Filed May 4, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 16, 1928.

animate r, B E W/LLETT Oct. 16, 1928. 1,687,962

E. WILLETT DISPLAY STAND Filed May 4, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 lnventoz B E. W/LLETT Oct. 16, 1928.

B. E. WILLETT DISPLAY STAND Filed May 4, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 amount 5. E. W//. L ETT Patented 16, 1928.

UNITED STATES P E OFF CE.

BENEDICT E. WILLET'I, or DAYTON,

OHIO,

nssreuoa T JOHN T. mnrz, oF'nAY'roN,

orno- DISPLAY STAND.

Application filed May 4 1326 fSerial No. 1Q6,761.

This invention relates to display stands and one Ob ector the invention 1s to provlde a display stand which will be simple in con struction, of a strong durable character and Y attractive in appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a display stand which canbe easily In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is: a plan View of a displaystand embodymg.

my invention; F 2 is a side elevation orthe same; Fig. is a longitudinal sectional view taken onthe line'33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view, partly in section, of a portion or the base; i ig. 5 a sectio'nahview taken on the line of Fig. 1; 6 is a bottom plan view of one of the trays with the standard and spacing element in section; 7 is longitudinal sectional view taken on r 1e line '2" 7 of Fig. 6; 8 is a detail view 050116 of the spacing elementspartly brolren away, showing the two members thereof se aratecl-; Fig. 9 is a detail view of the positioning device for the lower end of the spacing element; Fig. 10 isa detail view of the body of thetray; Fig. 11 is a per spective view of one of the sidewalls of the w a perspective view of one constituting a part of the tray; Fig. 12 of the channels t verse brace.

ective view averse brace; i l is a perspective vicw oi portionot one oi the supporting members interposed between the body and side wall or" the tray; Fig. 15 is a perspective riew of a portion of the base: Fig-16 is a for the tray; Fig. 13 is a detail view showing one of the transverse members oil the'base and the supporting standards; Fig.1? is a detail View showing the means ror connecting the two members oi? the spacing: element; and Fig. 18 is'a section taken on the line 1S18 of Fig. 1.

In these drawings 1 have illustrated one embodiment of my invention but it will be understood that this particular embodiment of the other member of the has been chosen for the purposeof -illustrm may take various forms Without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the particular embodiment of them vention here illustrated the display stand comprises a base 1 above which are supported a plurality of trays, 2, 3 and 4, theseand spaced apart so as to provide above each v65 tion only and that the display stand'as a' whole, as Well as the various parts thereof,

* trays-being arrangedone' above the other] tray ample space for the display of merchandise. In the present instance, the base 1 is so constructed that it also constitutes a tray for the receipt of merchandise, thus'providin'g the'stand with four trays. Obviously the number and size of the trays may be varied to accommodate the same tov variouspurposes. Likewise the trays may be of any suitable character. In the present instance they are "rectangular in shape and comprise shallow receptacles designed to receive. vegetables,

fruits or similar articles of various kinds] but it will be understoodthat the character oi the tray will'be determined, in part at" least, by the'character of the merchandise which is to be displayed thereon and that the term tray is intended to include any structure which will properly supportjthe As here shown, each ofthe upper trays is'o'f a slightly less length and merchandise.

width than'the next lowertray, thus giving the display stand an attractive appearance, faoilitatin the display of merchandise and increasing the "accessibility,thereof.

The several trays may be supported above the base in any suitable manner and, as here shown, one or more standards 5 extend up.-.

wardly from the base and th rough the several trays. Associated with the standard or standi, itable means for maintaining the, s in proper positions with relation one to the other and'with relation to the base and for holding the same rigidly' 'in position. The number of standards employed Wlll 'depend upon the size and shape of the trays.

The trays 0-1? the present stand being of an oblong shape I have utilized two standards arranged near the respectiveends of the display stand. As here shown, the combined base and tray 1 is provided beneath the body or supporting wall thereof with a reinforc ngmembcr 6 which extends lengthwise thereof and may be of Wood or any other suitable material. This reinforcing member serves as a support for the standards 5 and also imparts to the body of the tray a strength suflicient to carry the load imposed thereon by the upper trays. The reinforcing member 6 has formed therein vertical openings through which the standards 5 extend and at the lower end of each opening a connecting member or socket is secured and provides means for connecting the standard with the reinforcing member. Preferably the socket 7 is screw threaded so-that the standard may be screwed into and out. of the same, thus enabling a standard to be very quickly and easily placed on or removed from the supporting base. The reinforcing member is ofa considerable thickness and the-standard fits snugly within the opening therein so that it will be held firmly in an upright position and prevented from wobbling. v

The means for properly spacing the several trays and holding the same rigidly against movement with relation to the standard may take various forms but I prefer to utilize for this purpose tubular spacing elements 8 w iich are interposed between adjacent trays and which extend about thestandard 5.

These tubular spacing elements are of a diameter considerably greater than the diamwe tween the lateral walls thereof, thereby provlding a four sided tubular structure substantially rectangular in crosssection. In asmuch as the spacin element is of an mterior diameter considerably greater than the I diameter of the standard I place within the lower end of each spacing element. a posi tioning device 11, (see Fig; 9) which is in the form of a U-shaped member of a width substanti ally equal to the interior diameter of the spacing element and the lower edges of which rest 3011 the tray, the transverse portion of the U-shaped member ha vin an open-- ing 12 through which the standard may er;- tend. The two members of the spacing element maybe secured one to the other by rivets, or in any suitable manner, but, .in the present instance, I have struck from the walls of the spacing. element and from the contacting walls of thepositioning member 11,

tongues of metal 13, as shown in Fig. 17,

which arebent laterally to firmly unite these parts thus providing a very simple and strong connection between the parts. I have shown fasteningdevices at the lower ends only of the spacing elements for the reason that the 7 upper ends are otherwise held against displacement, as will hereafter appear. I have also shown the several spacing elements asso ciated with each standard as "of different diameters, each upper element being of less This diameter than the next lower element. not only accommodates the spacing elements to the particular trays wlth which they are associated but it also imparts to the structure as a whole a more pleasing appearance.

To assemblethe device the standards are first screwed into the sockets 7 and the spacing elements and trays are then successively placed in position on the standards. The upper ends of the standards will then project slightly above thewall or supporting surfaceof the upper tray 4, and anut 14 is threaded onto the upper end of eachstandard and serves to retain the trays thereon and, further, to clamp the several parts in firm engagementso that'they will be held against relative movement. It will be noted that the upper tray is clamped between the nut and the upper endof itsspacing, element and that the "intermediatetrays are clamped between the ends ofadjacent spacing elements, and when the nut 14 is tightened down these trays will be veryrigidly held in position. removing the nut 14 the several trays and spacing elements may bequickly and easily removed from the standards and the standards removed from the sockets so that the whole'may be packed on the base in a very compact bundle.

. The trays may be of any suitable construetion but that here shown is such as to provide a tray of relatively light weight'which willbe of a strong durable character and will be attractive in appearance. As here shown, each tray is formed from sheet metal and comprises a body portion 15 consisting of a plate of sheet metal having its edges turned upward at the four sides and forming flanges 16, the ends of the being cut away or beveled, asshown at 17. This plate is provided with apertures 18 through which the standards 5 may extend. The four-side walls for the tray attached to the body portion. t by means of the flanges gitudinal edges bent upon itself to form unper and lower channels 20 and 21, theedges of the strip being spaced apart to form a slot along the inner side of the side wall. TlllS side wall is a J lied to the bod iortion of the tray by moving the same lengthwise on the edge of the. body portion wit .the flange 16 extending into the u finer chann...!

20 of the side wall and with the edge of in: lower channel beneath. the body por tion 15 The four side walls are respectively of a It will be obvious'that by.

lli)

i) and in the construction here showi'i, each side wall, comprises a strip of m'etal 19 hawng its lonthe lower channels 21 length corresponding substantially to the length of the respective edges of the body portion of the tray and when in'position will project above and below said body portion,

as shown in Fig. 7; The'tray is provided adjacent to each standard with a transverse supporting structure which serves to, so strengthen the body portion of the tray asto enable it to carry the load imposed thereon without being distorted. In the present construction, this supporting :structure comprises a channel bar 22 having in its upper" transverse wall an opening 23 through which the standard may pass. 1st each'end the I transverse portion of the channel is provided with a downturned rib 24Yspaced from the ends of thevertical flanges a distance sufiicient to enable it to enter the lower channel of the, After. the two lon-' the same along said channels until the opening 23 is in line with the opening 18.. The

slots in the inner sides of the side wallsare of a width substantially equal to the combined thickness the body portion 15 of the tray and of the transverse portion of the reinforcing member 22, so that when this reinforcing member is in position beneath the body portion the two parts will substantially fill the slot. I also prefer to insert in of the side member, angle bars 25' the vertical flanges of which rest within the channels 21 and the horizontal portions of which extend beneath and in contact with'the lower surface of the body portion 15 of the tray. These angle bars,

or filler strips, are inserted in the lower chan-,

nel of each side wall. Along the longitudinal edges'of the tray the filler, strip is divided I into three parts, of which is arranged between the two reinforcing members 22 and the others of which are arranged between the respective reinforcing members and the ends of'the tray. These angle bars or filler strips serve to lill 1n the space betweenthc edge of the lower chan rel and the lower sure face of the body portion andte provide a-rel ativcly wide contact with the body portion so that the si. e walls and body portion are held against relative displacement. Furthcr, they serve to properly position the transverse reinforcing members 22 with relation to the body portion of the tray. After the several side walls have been placed in posi tion on the body portion of the tray they may seemed. thereon in any suitable man ner, but I preferably accomplish this by applyingcoruer pieces or angle clips 26ft) the adja ent ends of the side walls of the re 'spcctive corners of the tray, these clips being walls and bent .about the ends of the respective side therewith. 7 a r The transverse reinforcing structure may also include, a second channel shaped member 27, which fits within the channel 22 and is provided with an opening 28 adapted to register with the opening 23 in the channel, 22 and one flange of which isof relatively great width, as shown at 29, and is truss shapedto further reinforce the channel.

pressedfirmly into engagement This transverse member 27 is of such a width that the upper endof the spacing element 8 which supports that particular; tray will fit snugly within the same, as shown in Fig. 7

member 27 may, if desired, besecured' to the spacing element but this is not necessary as thesparts will be held firmly in their'proper relative positions whenthe display stand is assembled and the nuts l l on the standard tightened down.

The combined base and tray 1 is quite similar 1n construction to the other trays and,

comprises a body portion 15 and side walls ,19 which are held in positionby the corner piecesor clips 26. As has been stated, the

body portion 15 of the tray 1 is reinforced by a longitudinal bar 6 and on each side of this barand spaced from the edgesof the tray are longitudinally extending plates 30 hay:

ing their upper portions bent outwardly, as

shown at 31, and arranged in supporting contact w th the body'portionfof the tray, and having their outer edges bent downwardly,

as shown at, 32, to enter the lower channels ion in the side member-s19; Rigidly secured to these side plates or flanges 30, adjacent to the standards 5, are supporting members or legs 83,7here shown in the form of angle irons riveted to the side plates. Those portions ofthe side plates between the legs have their lower portions bent inwardly, as shown at, .34,to provide flanges to stiffen the platesBO.

Extending transversely tothe base, at each end of'thelongitudinal reinforcing bar 6.

is a vertical plate 35, which is rigidly secured at its ends to the respective legs 33 and has at its upper edge a flange 36 in supporting engagement with the body portion 15 of the tray and has at its flange 37.

The construction of the trays here described, is not only a very inexpensive one, because of the ease with which the parts may lower edge a stiffening ,be formed and assembled, but it provides a tray which, whileof very light weight, is of a very strong rigid construction and will support its intended load without being distorted. Further, the manner of assen'ibling the parts avoids the use of rivets or bolts and tive appearance.

While I have shown andder properly finished, gives the tray an attracaribed one emthus provides a. smooth surface which, when understood that I do not desireto be limited the several parts in their assembled po 1. In a display stand, a base, a standard secured to and extending upwardly from said base, a tubular spacin element supported by said and extending upwardly about said standard, a tray supp rted by saidspacing element and having an opening through wl ich said standard extends, said tray 'com-' prising a body portion, a channel shaped reinforcing member extending transversely to said body portion beneath the same, and a second channel shaped reinforcing member fitting within the first mentioned reinforcing member and .adapted to receive the upper end of said spacing element, and meansconneeted with the upper end of said standard to etain 2. In a display stand, a tray comp a body portion having flanged edges, side walls having channels to receive the flanged edges of said body portion and adapted to be applied to said body portion by movement lengthwise thereof, and retaining devices applied to the adjacentends of said side walls at the corners of said tray.

3. In a display stand, a tray comprising a body portion having upwardly extending flanges at the several edges thereof, side walls having upper and lower channels, the upper channel of each of said side walls being adapted to receive a flange at one edge of said body portion when said side wall is moved lengthwise of said body portion, angle strips each having a vertical flange supported in the lower channel. of one of saic side walls and a horizontal flange extending beneath said body portion, and retaining devices applied to the adjacent ends of said sidewalls at the corners of said tray.

transverse flanges extending inwardly be neath said body portion, and means for re-v taining said sidewalls in position on said body portion.

5. In a display stand, a tray comprisinga body portion having upwardly extending flanges at the several edges thereof, side walls each comprising a strip of metal. having its of tr-r one train the other, a standard. extending up;

upper and lower edges'fbent upon itself to form upper and lower channels and a slot communicating with said channels, whereby said side wall may be applied to sa id body portion by moving the same lengthwise there of with one of said flanges inthe upper channelofsaid side wall, a reinforcing men'iber ar ranged beneath said bodypo'rtion and having lips extending into the lower channels of two of said sidewalls, and angle strips having vertical flanges arranged within the lower channels of said S1dwalls and transverse flanges extending inwardly beneath said body portion, and clips pressed ontothe adjacent ends of said sidewalls at the corners of said tray.

6. In a display stand, a tray comprising a body portion having an upwardlyextending flange at each edge thereof, a transverse reinforcing member arranged beneath said body portion and having at its ends depending lips arranged in substantially the same vertical planes with the flanges at the corresponding edges of said body portion, side walls having upper channels to embrace the respective flanges on said body and lower channelsto embrace the lips on said reinforcing member,

and means for retaining said side walls in tixed'positions with relation one to the other,

7. In a display stand, a tray comprising body portion having upwardly extending flanges at the several edges thereof, side walls each comprising a strip of metal having its upper .and lower edges bentupon itself to form upper and lower channels and a slot communicating with. said channel, whereby said side wall may be applied to said body portion by moving the same lengthwise there of with one of said flan es in the up er channel of saidside wall, reinforcing member arranged beneath said body porti'on'and having'lips at its ends extending into the lower channels of two of said side walls,and clips press-ed onto the adjacent ends walls at thecorners of said tray.

8. ;In a display stand, a base comprising an upper portion constituting astray and having at the edges upwardly extending flanges of said side thereof, side plates extending lengthwise of said base beneath the same andhaving later ally entencing portions engaging said body portion and provided at their outer edges with downwardly extending flanges, side walls mounted on the edges of said body por tion'and having upper channels to receive the flanges on said body portion and lower channels to receive the flanges of said longitudinal plate, supporting leg igidly secured to said plates, and transverse reinforcing members arranged near the respective ends of i said base and rigidly secured to the respective 9. In a display stand, a base, a pluralits arranged above said base and spaced.

wardly from said base through the several trays, spacing elements surrounding said standard for malntainlng said trays in proper spaced relation one to the other. each spacingv element comprising two channel-shaped members adapted to fit one within the other to form a tubular element, and devices car-.

ried by said trays to receive the upper ends of the respective spacing elements to retain the two members thereof in their assembled posiprovided with an opening to receive said standard and having flanges to engage the corresponding spacing elements to retain the same in spaced relation to said standard.

11. In a display stand, a base having an upper portion forminga tray, a reinforcing member arranged beneath said upper portion of said base and having an opening therethrough, a socket member rigidly secured to said reinforcing member at the lower end of said opening, a standard extending through the opening in said reinforcing member and into said socket member, said socket member and said standard having cooperating parts to retain said standard in said socket member,

a plurality of trays arranged one above the other, each having an opening through which said standard extends, spacing elements arranged about said standard to support the respective trays in proper relation one to the otherand to said base, means carried by the upper end of said standard to retain the several parts in their assembled positions.

' 12. In a display stand, an elongated base having an upper portion forming a tray, a

reinforcing member extending lengthwise of a said base beneath said upper portion there of and having openings therethrough, a socket member carriedby said reinforcing member at the lower end of each of said openings, standards extending through the respective openings in said socketmembers, said standards and said socket members having coop crating parts to retain said standards in said socket members, a plurality of trays arranged above said base and spaced onefrom the other and each having openings through which said standards extend, spacing elements surrounding the respective standards between adjacent trays and serving-to support the respective trays in proper positions-with relation one to the other, transverse reinforcing members arranged beneath each tray, having openings'to receive the respective standards and each having flanges at the lateral edges thereof to embrace the respective upper end of each standard to secure the several parts in their assembledpositions,

' In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto. l l

BENEDICT E. WILLETT.

spacing elements, and means carried by the

Images