US2157400A - Display apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 9, 1939. M, COOPER 2,157,400

DISPLAY APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 1, 1937 mlmum QQMQQ 0%5/ M. COOPER DISPLAY APPARATUS May 9, 1939.

Filed May 1., 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invadar fizorals Qagvar 49 wmQwzow/ Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for supporting and displaying various and sundry goods such as frequently found in grocery stores, as for instance fruit, vegetables, bottle goods, boxes, or the like.

The objects of this invention are to provide an improved and artistic display apparatus which is adapted for supporting and displaying large quantities of goods or articles in a limited space; to provide a display apparatus which may be readily adjusted or extended for displaying different articles and to increase or decrease the capacity of the same; to provide a display device having discs or pans for holding goods, and means for readily adjusting the same with respect to each other ona supporting member; and to provide such other novel features and improvements as will be described hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention,

Figure 1 is a side View of one form thereof with parts broken away or shown in section;

Figure 2 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view showing one of the supporting discs or pans in reversed position for holding bottles or the like;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a modified form of construction;

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail of a portion of the device shown in Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a sectional detail showing another form of pan or disc for supporting boxes of berries or the like.

My improved display device is particularly intended for carrying relatively large loads and for this purpose I provide a heavy base l0 having a long threaded central hole II for receiving the threaded end l2 of a supporting shaft or post l3. The post is provided with a plurality of pipe sections or spacers [4 which are preferably made in relatively short sections for convenience in spacing the supporting pans or discs longitudinally of the post.

The goods supporting members l5 which are carried by the post may be of various forms. As shown in some of the figures these members comprise shallow pans with central disc portions IS with upwardly curved outer edges I! with peripheral flanges or walls I 8 which extend down below the discs as shown in Figure 1. The disc portions have holes 19 for receiving the post. Supporting plates 20 are also provided, these plates having holes 2| which fit closely over the post so that each plate or disc and pan is supported on the next lower spacing member l4 and held rigidly in position by the upper spacing members which coact therewith. After the supporting members l5 and the spacers have been 5 assembled on the post or rod they are securely fastened in position by a threaded cap or nut 22 which engages with the threaded upper end 23 of the post and with the upper end of the last spacer or pipe section 14. This nut is preferably 19 of the acorn type or has a closed extension so that it provides an ornamental feature and also permits considerable adjustment of the parts while keeping the end of the bolt covered.

When the trays or supporting members l5 are 15 positioned as shown in Figure 1 the device serves particularly for displaying fruit, vegetables or the like, which may be placed directly on these trays. Such trays are preferably finished by being plated and polished or enameled, and the other parts also being attractively finished so that when the fruit or the like is placed thereon the whole presents a particularly pleasing appearance.

The trays may be differently spaced by changing the number of spreaders between the same and such spreaders may also be of various lengths for convenience in making different adjustments. Additional trays or supports such as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1 may also be readily added and for this purpose the relatively long thread of the rod or post [3 serves to provide additional adjustment. For instance the post may be unscrewed in the base a sulficient number of threads to allow for the thickness of one or more additional discs and plates and then the parts 3 tightened and clamped together by the nut 22 as will be readily apparent.

The goods supporting members l5 may also be inverted as shown in Figure 3 and in this position the flange l8 will serve to hold the bottles as indicated at 24, or other articles, so that they are not apt to slip off from the disc. From this it is seen that my novel form of goods support or pan will serve for various articles of goods, thus increasing the usefulness of the apparatus.

In the form shown in Figures 4 and 5 the base [0 and other supporting parts are utilized with the goods supporting discs or plates I5 arranged with the flanges extending upwardly as in Figure 50 3. Sides or extension bands 25 are inserted in the pans as shown in Figure 5, thus making supports in the form of baskets for holding various forms of goods. These sides 25 are preferably made of wire as shown so that the goods will be ill readily seen therethrough although they may be made of solid material if desired.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 4, a block of wood or the like 26 is positioned between the uppermost spreader and the nut and has a plurality of hooks or brackets 21 for supporting bunches of bananas or the like. If desired, a plurality of such supports may be mounted along the post in the manner shown.

The modification shown in Figure 6 illustrates another form of pan or supporting member 28 having a central fiat disc portion 29 and a frustoconical portion 30 and the outer periphery formed with a groove 3| and flange 32. This supporting member may be mounted on the post in the manner above described and the outer or conical portion provides desirable space for supporting boxes 33 which may contain peaches, strawberries, or the like. These boxes are held in position by the flange and the tops are presented at a suitable angle for displaying the goods. It will also be noted that this supporting device 28 may be reversed or used upside down, in which case it provides a relatively deep pan and the bead around the outer edge which forms the groove 3| serves to retain the goods in the pan.

While I have shown practical and commercial embodiments of my invention it is apparent that changes may be made in the details of construction or shape or arrangement of the parts without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims, in which I claim:

1. A display apparatus comprising a substantial base having an elongated threaded hole therein, a post having its lower end provided with a correspondingly elongated thread engaging with said hole and longitudinally adjustable therein, a plurality of relatively short tubular spreaders fitting over the post, trays having central holes engaging with the post and positioned between said spreaders and held in spaced relation thereby, supporting plates mounted on the post below each of said trays for strengthening the same, and a hollow nut engaging with the upper end of the post which is provided with an elongated threaded portion for receiving the nut, said nut also engaging with the uppermost spreader for fastening the parts together, said nut also providing for longitudinal adjustment of the post whereby additional trays may be inserted or trays removed from between the spreaders and the parts clamped securely together.

2. In a display apparatus, the combination of a heavy base, a post extending upwardly from the base, one or more pans mounted on the post and having flanges around their outer edges and detachable supporting members comprising annular bands engaging with said flanges.

3. In a device of the character set forth, the combination with a reversible goods supporting disc having a peripheral bead projecting from one side and a groove and flange on the other side, and a substantially cylindrical wall formed of wire and adapted to engage with said groove.

4. In a display apparatus, the combination of a base, a post secured to and extending upwardly from the base, a disc having a center hole for engagement with the post, means for fastening the disc to the post, said disc having an outer peripheral depression terminating in an upwardly extending flange which projects, substantially above the upper surface of the disc, and a removable annular supporting member having its lower edge engaging with said depression and extending upwardly beyond the disc to provide a retaining wall, substantially as described.

5. In a display apparatus, the combination of a base, a post secured to and extending upwardly from the base, a plurality of discs mounted on the post, spreaders between said discs for holding them in spaced relation, means engaging with the post for fastening the spreaders and discs securely in position, each of said discs having an annular peripheral groove terminating in an upwardly extending flange and each disc having an annular reticulated supporting ;wall engaging therewith with their lower edges fitting in the grooves and held by said flanges, said walls, providing means for supporting articles to be displayed on the discs, substantially as described.

MORRIS COOPER.

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