US3245362A - Display devices - Google Patents

Description

April 1966 M. D. EMERY 3,245,362

DISPLAY DEVICES Filed July 16, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR.

ME/PTO/V D. EMERY BY M W$ v 652* HHE/E- April 1966 M. D. EMERY 3,245,362

DISPLAY DEVICES Filed July 16, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet z INVENTOR. MERTO/V D. EMER) templated applying these principles.

3,245,362 DISPLAY DEVICES Merton D. Emery, Grand Haven, Micln, assignor to Haber Industries, Inc., Grand Haven, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed July 16, 1964, Ser. No. 383,057 13 Claims. (Cl. 108-31) This invention relates to display devices and, more particularly, to display devices which are particularly well adapted for displaying articles of merchandise in retail stores, and the like.

It is a primary object of the present invention to afford a novel display device for articles of merchandise.

Another object is to afford a novel display device which is particularly well adapted for displaying relatively expensive articles or merchandise, such as, for example, portable radios, and the like.

In the promotion and sale of articles of merchandise it is desirable to be able to display the merchandise in such a manner as to permit the prospective customers to inspect it. When the merchandise is radios, and the like, it often is highly desirable to display it in such a manner that the prospective customers can actually handle and operate them. However, this poses a serious problem with relatively expensive items, such as radios,

and the like, because of the danger of pilfering. It is an important object of the present invention to enable articles of merchandise, such as radios, and the like, to be displayed in a novel and expeditious manner whereby the merchandise is fully exposed for inspection, handling and operation by prospective customers, and, yet, is effectively protected against shoplifting.

Another object is to prevent, in a novel and expeditious manner, the unauthorized removal of articles of merchandise from a display device.

A further object is to afford a novel display device of the aforementioned type wherein the articles of merchandise may be quickly and easily mounted on and removed from the device by authorized personnel.

Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel display device of the aforementioned type which may be readily adapted to hold articles of diiferent size.

An object ancillary to the foregoing is to enable such a novel display device to simultaneously hold a plurality of difierent size articles of merchandise.

Yet another object is to afford a novel display device of the aforementioned type wherein the height thereof may be quickly and easily adjusted.

A further object is to afford a novel display device of the aforementioned type which is attractive in appearance, and on which advertising materials, such as, for example, signs, and the like, may be mounted in a novel and expeditious manner.

Another object is to afford a novel display device of the aforementioned type which is practical and efficient in operation, and which may be readily and economically produced commercially.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which,

by way of illustration, show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have con- Other embodiments of the invention embodying the structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a display device United States Patent embodying the principles of the present invention, showing the device in extended position;

FIG. 2 is a front eievational view of the display device shown in FIG. 1, showing the device in lowered or collapsed position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of a portion of a display device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6A is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 6A6A, in FIG. 4, with certain parts broken away; 7

FIG. 6B is a fragmentary deta l sectional view taken substantially along the line 6B6B in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 77 in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 99 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 1010in FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 1111 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 12.12 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 1313 in FIG. 12.

A display device 1, embodying the principles of the present invention, is shown in the drawings to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The display device 1 embodies, in general, a base 2 on which is slidably mounted a supporting structure 3 for supporting the articles of merchandise to be displayed, the supporting structure 3 being adjustable vertically relative to the base 2 between a fully raised position shown in FIG. 1 and a fully lowered position shown in FIG. 2, to thereby adjust the height at which the articles are displayed on the device 1.

The supporting structure 3 includes two horizontally exten-ding, substantially parallel bars4 and 5 mounted on the upper and lower ends, respectively, of two vertically extending substantially parallel bars 6 and 7, FIGS. 1 and 2. The bars 4-7 may be made of any suitable material such as sheet steel.

The bars 5-7 are preferably tubular and rectangular in transverse cross-section, and the lower end portions of the vertical bars 6 and 7 preferably extend through the lower bar 5 and are secured thereto by suitable means such as welding. The upper bar 4 has a bottom wall 8, a rear wall 9 and a front wall 10, with the walls 9 and 10 projecting upwardly from the bottom wall 8 in substantially parallel relation to each other, FIGS. 1 and 6A. An elongated slide member 11 is slidably mounted in the upper bar 4 by suitable pin and slot connections 12 and 13, FIGS, 2, 3 and 6A, for longitudinal sliding movement relative thereto, for a purpose which will be discussed in greater detail presently. The slide 11 is disposed in substantially parallel relation to the bottom wall 8 of the upper bar 4, and forms the upper wall of the latter. The upper end portions of the vertical bars 6 and 7 project upwardly into the upper bar 4, and are secured thereto by suitable means such as welding in downwardly spaced relation to the slide 11.

Six supporting rods 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, made of suitable material, such as steel rods, are mounted in, and extend between the bars 4 and 5 in substantially parallel, spaced relation to each other, FIGS. 1 and 2. As viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 the rods 14 and 15 are disposed in the left end portions of the bars 4 and 5; the rods 16 and 17 are disposed in the intermediate portions of the bars 4 and 5; and the rods 18 and 19 are disposed in the right-end portions of the bars 4 and 5. The supporting rods 14-19 afford supporting members for a plurality of shelves on which articles of merchandise may be displayed. In the display device shown in the drawings 3 shelves 20, 21, and 22 extend between and project forwardly from the rods 14 and in vertically spaced, substantially parallel relation to each other; six shelves 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 are mounted on and project forwardly from the supporting rods 16 and 17, with the shelves 24 and 26 supported solely by the rods 16, the shelves 25 and 27 supported solely by the rod 17, and with the shelves 23 and 28 extending between and supported by both of the rods 16 and 17; and three shelves 29, 30, and 31 are mounted on and project forwardly from the supporting rods 18 and 19. The shelves -31 may be secured to the aforementioned respective supporting rods by suitable means such as, for example, welding.

The shelves 20-27 are identical in construction to each other, except that the shelves 24-27 are smaller in size than the shelves 20-23. The shelves 28-31 are also identical in construction to each other.

Each of the shelves 20-27 includes a substantially horizontally extending bottom wall 32; substantially parallel upwardly projecting rear and front walls 33 and 34, respectively; and oppositely disposed, substantially parallel upwardly projecting side walls 35 and 36, FIGS. 1, 8, and 10. Each of the shelves 28-31 also includes a substantially horizontally extending bottom wall 37, and upwardly projecting, substantially parallel rear and front walls 38 and 39, respectively, but does not include side walls, FIGS. 1 and 12.

Four slide rods 40, 41, 42, and 43, made of suitable material such as steel rod, are slidably mounted in the bottom wall 8 of the upper bar 4 and project downwardly therefrom behind the supporting bars 14, 16, 17, and 18, respectively, in closely adjacent, substantially parallel relation thereto, FIG. 1. The slide 11 mounted in the upper bar 4 has a plurality of openings 44, FIG. 3, extending therethrough and spaced from each other longitudinally of the slide 11. The openings 44 are disposed in such position in the slide 11 that when the latter is in actuated position, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 3, wherein the left end 45 of the slide 11, as viewed in FIG, 3, is disposed in abutting engagement with the adjacent end 46 of the her 4, each of openings 44 is disposed in vertical alignment with a respective one of the supporting rods 14-19. The openings 44 are elongated transversely of the slide 11 and when the respective openings 44 are disposed vertically above the supporting rods 14, 16, 17, and 18, they are also disposed in vertical alignment with the slide rods 40-43, respectively, for a purpose which will be discussed in greater detail presently.

The supporting rods 14 and 15, and the slide rod 40 are substantially straight, and three substantially V- shaped retainer members 47, FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, which are identical in construction, are slidably mounted on the supporting rods 14 and 15 in upwardly spaced relation to respective ones of the shelves 20-22. Each of the retainer members 47 has a loop 48 and 49 formed at each end thereof and disposed around the supporting rods 14 and 15, respectively, FIG, 8. The loops 48 on the retainer members 47 are also disposed around the slide rod 40, and are secured thereto by suitable means such as welding. Each of the retainer members 47 is hook-shaped, the front end thereof projecting downwardly to afford a downwardly projecting front flange 50, FIGS. 8 and 9.

The loops 48 extending around the supporting rod 14 and the slide rod 40 afford guide members which are effective to hold the slide rod 40 in closely adjacent relation to the supporting rod 14. When the slide 11 in the upper bar 4 is disposed in the aforementioned actuated position, the slide rod 40 is slidable upwardly and downwardly relative to the supporting rod 14 through the opening 44 disposed thereabove, to thereby move the retainer members 47 upwardly and downwardly relative to the shelves 20-22. When the slide 11 is disposed in normal position, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 3, wherein the openings 44 are disposed out of alignment with the supporting rods 14-19, the slide 11 is disposed in closely overlying relation to the upper end of the slide rod 40, and is effective to prevent upward movement of the slide rod 40 relative to the supporting rod 14.

Thus, it will be seen that when it is desired to place an article of merchandise, such as, for example, a radio 52 shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, on any one of the shelves 20-22, the slide 11 may be moved from normal position shown in solid line in FIG. 3 to the actuated position shown in broken lines therein, and the slide rod 40, with the retainer members 47 attached thereto may be moved upwardly through the aligned opening 44. With the retainer members 47 thus disposed in raised position, the article of merchandise 52 may be placed on the desired shelf 20-22, and the slide rod 40 may then again be moved to fully lowered position, to thereby hook the retainer member 47 disposed immediately above the particular shelf 20-22 on which the article is disposed over that article, and the slide 11 may again be moved into the aforementioned normal position to again block upward movement of the slide rod 40. With the retainer member 47 so disposed over the article, and with the slide rod 40 held against upward movement, the retainer member 47 is effective to secure the article on the shelf 21 against removal therefrom, the flanges 33-36 preventing lateral withdrawal of the article from the shelf, and the retainer member 47 preventing vertical removal therefrom.

Three other retainer members 51, which are identical to each other in construction, are mounted on the supporting rods 18 and 19 above respective ones of the shelves 29-31, FIGS. 1 and 2. The retainer members 51 are substantially U-shaped, with the closed central portion 52 thereof projecting forwardly, FIGS. 12 and 13. The free end portions of the retainer members 51 afford the rear portions thereof, and each has a loop 53 and 54, respectively, formed therein. The retainer members 51 are freely slidable on the slide rod 43 and the supporting rods 18 and 19, with the loops 54 disposed around the supporting rod 19, and the retainer members 51 extending therefrom around the supporting rod 18, with the loops 53 disposed around the slide rod 43, FIG. 12.

The supporting rods 18 and 19 and the slide rod 43 are substantially straight and two substantially U-shaped brackets 55 are mounted on the supporting rod 18 and extend around the slide rod 43 to afford guide channels for retaining the slide rod 43 in closely adjacent relation to the supporting rod 18, and guiding the slide rod 43 during vertical longitudinal movement thereof relative the supporting rod 18.

The retainer members 51 are adapted to be used in connection with articles of merchandise having an opening therethrough, such as, for example, a loop-type handie on the top of a portable radio, or the like, through which the retainer member 51 may be extended to hold the article of merchandise against removal from the supporting structure 3. When it is desired to mount an article of merchandise, such as a radio 56 having a loop-type handle 57 on the top thereof, as illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 2, on one of the shelves 29-31, such as, for example the shelf 29, the slide 11 may be moved into the aforementioned actuated position shown in broken lines in FIG. 3. Thereafter, the slide rod 43 may be moved upwardly along the supporting rod 13 through the opening 44 disposed thereabove to a position wherein the lower end of the slide rod 43 moves upwardly out of the loop 53 of the retainer member 51 which it is desired to secure to the article of merchandise. Thus when the article is to be disposed on the top shelf 29, as shown in FIG. 2, the slide 11 may be moved into actuated position, and the slide rod 43 moved upwardly through the upper bar 4 into position wherein the lower end thereof is disposed above the loop 48 of the upper retainer member 51 to thereby free the end portion of the retainer member 51 on which the loop 53 is disposed. The article 56 may then be placed on the shelf 29, and this lastmentioned end portion of the upper retainer member 51 may be inserted through the handle 57, the loop 53 may again be positioned behind the supporting rod 18, and the slide rod 43 may then be moved downwardly through the loop 53 into its normal lowered position, and the slide 11 may be moved back into its aforementioned normal position. With the retainer member 51 and the slide rod 43 so. disposed relative to each other, the retainer member 51 is effective to secure the article 56 leaving the article 56 available to be handled, operated and even lifted from the shelf by prospective customers.

The supporting rods 14, 15, 18, and 19, and the slide rods 40 and 43 are substantially straight. However, supporting rods and slide rods which are not straight, throughout their lengths, may also be used. Thus, for example, supporting rods 16 and 17 and the slide rods 41 and 42 are not straight throughout their lengths. The supporting rods 16 and 17 have intermediate portions 58 and 59, respectively, which are offset forwardly from the remainder thereof, the upper portions 58a and 59a and the lower portions 581; and 59b of the intermediate portions 58 and 59, respectively, being equal in length and being disposed in substantially horizontally extending position, FIG. 1. The slide rods 41 and 42 also have forwardly projecting intermediate portions 66 and 61, respectively, which are disposed in parallel relation to the intermediate portions 58 and 59. The intermediate portions 60 and 61, in their lowered positions, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, terminate at their upper ends a sufficient distance below the portions 58a and 59b of the supporting rods 16 and 17, respectively, that when the slide 11 is disposed in actuated position, the slide rods -41 and 42 may be moved upwardly relative to the supporting rods 16 and 17 through the desired length of travel.

Another retainer member 51, which is identical in construction to the retainer members 51 mounted on the supporting rods 18 and 19, is mounted on the lower end portions of the supporting rods 16 and 17, FIGS. 1 and 2. As may be seen in FIG. 1, the slide rod 42 terminates at its lower end in upwardly spaced relation to the retainer member 51 mounted on the supporting rods 16 and 17, but the lower end portion of the slide rod 41 projects downwardly through the loop 53 thereof. The slide rod 41 terminates at its lower end a sufiicient distance above the shelf 28 that when it is desired to release the loop 53 from the lower end portion of the slide rod 41, the slide 11 may be moved into the aforementioned actuated position, and the slide rod 41 may be moved upwardly a sutficient distance to move the lower end thereof upwardly out of the loop 53.-

In the display device 1 shown in the drawings, another retainer member 62 is disposed on the slide rods 41 and 42 above the shelf 23, FIGS. 1 and 2. The retainer member 62 is annular, and rectangular in shape, extending around the upper end portions of the slide rods 42 and the supporting rods 16 and 17. The rear portion of the retainer member 62 is secured to the slide rods 41 and 42 by suitable means such as, for example, welding and is movable therewith. The retainer member 62 is particularly well, adapted for securing an article of merchandise having a top portion which is smaller in transverse cross-sectional size than the immediately underlying portion thereof on the shelf 23. When it is desired to secure such an article on the shelf 23, the slide 11 may be moved into actuated position, and the slide rods 41 and 42 may be raised to thereby raise the retainer mem ber 62 away from the shelf 23. The article to be secured to the shelf 23 may be disposed thereon with the upper end portion thereof disposed below the retainer member 62, and the slide rods 41 and 42 may then be moved downwardly to dispose the retainer member 62 around the aforementioned top portion of the article mounted on the shelf 23. The slide 11 may then be moved into its aforementioned normal position, wherein it is effective to prevent upward movement of the slide rods 41 and 42, and the article is thus secured in position on the shelf 23, the flanges 33-36 thereof and the retainer member 62 pre venting lateral movement of the article from the shelf 23, and the annular member 62, which overlies the larger portion of the article, preventing upward removal of the article from the shelf 23.

Another retainer member 63, FIGS. 1, 2, and 10, is disposed on the supporting rods 16 and 17 in overlying relation to the shelves 26 and 27. The retainer member 63 includes a substantially, horizontally extending rear bar 64 disposed between the slide rod 41 and the supporting rod 16 and between the slide rod 42 and the supporting rod 17, FIG. 10. The rear bar 64 is secured to the slide rods 41 and 42 by suitable means such as welding. Two substantially U-shaped arms 65 and 66 project forwardly from respective end portions of the rear bar 64 in enclosing relation to the supporting rods 16 and 17, respectively. The arms 65 and 66 are disposed vertically above the shelves 26 and 27, respectively, and each has a downwardly projecting flange 67 at the front end thereof.

' The retainer member 63 is movable upwardly and downwardly with the slide rods 41 and 42 relative to the supporting rods 16 and 17 and the shelves 26 and 27, when the slide 11 is disposed in the aforementioned actuated position. Thus, when it is desired to secure articles of merchandise on the shelves 26 and 27, the slide rods 41 and 42 may be moved upwardly to thereby move the retainer member 63 upwardly away from the shelves 26 and 27, with the slide 11 disposed in actuated position, the articles of merchandise may be placed on the shelves 26 and 27; the rods 41 and 42, together with the retainer member 63 may then be moved downwardly into position to hook the arms 65 and 66 over the articles disposed on the shelves 26 and 27, respectively, in overlying engagement therewith; and the slide 11 may then be moved back into its normal position to thereby secure the slide rods 41 and 42 and the retainer member 63 against upward movement relative to the shelves 26 and 27.

Another retainer member 68 is mounted on the supporting rods 16 and 17 above the shelves 24 and 25. The retainer member 63 is identical in construction to the retainer member 63 except that the rear member 69 thereof is not straight, the opposite end portions of the member 69 being disposed in vertically offset, substantially parallel relation to each other, FIG. 2. The retainer member 68 embodies two arms 70 and 71 which are identical in construction to the arms 65 and 66 of the retainer member 63, the arms 70 and 71 being secured to the upper and lower end portions, respectively, of the rear member 69 in forwardly projecting, overlying relation to the shelves 24 and 25. Like the arms 65 and 66, the arms 70 and 71 are disposed in enclosing relation to the supporting rods 16 and 17, and

the rear member 69 is disposed between the slide rods 41 and 42 and the supporting rods 16 and 17, and is secured to the slide rods 41 and 42 by suitable means such as welding. The operation of the retainer member 68 relative to the shelves 24 and 25 is identical to the operation of the retainer member 63 relative to the shelves 26 and 27, previously described, except that the arm 71 is disposed closer to the shelf 25 than the arm 70 is disposed relative to the shelf 24 in all positions of the retainer member 68, so that the arm 71 is adapted to secure a smaller article of merchandise on the shelf than the arm 70 is adapted to secure on the shelf 24.

The base 2 of the display device 1 includes a foot member 73 having two ears 74 and 75 projecting upwardly therefrom, FIGS. 1 and 613. Two elongated substantially straight tubular legs 76 and 77 are slidably mounted on the ears 74 and 75, respectively, in removable relation thereto. The legs 76 and 77 project vertically upwardly from the foot portion 73 into position directly rearwardly of the vertical bars 6 and 7, respectively, of the supporting structure 3, in closely adjacent, parallel relation thereto.

The legs 76 and 77 have substantially U-shaped brackets mounted on the upper end portions thereof and projecting forwardly therefrom, with the brackets 78 and 79 extending around the bars 6 and 7, respectively, to afford guides therefor. Similarly, the bars 6 and 7 have substantially U-shaped brackets 80 and 81 mounted thereon, respectively, below the lower bar 5, the brackets 86 and 81 projecting rearwardly from the bars 6 and 7 and being disposed around the legs 76 and 77 to afford guide channels therefor.

With this construction, the supporting structure 3 may be moved upwardly and downwardly along the legs 76 and 77, the legs 76 and 77 sliding in the brackets 80 and 81, respectively and the bars 6 and 7 sliding in the brackets 78 and 79, respectively. Suitable holding members such as thumb screws 82, FIGS. 3 and 5, are mounted in the brackets 78 and 79 in such position that they may be manually engaged with the bars 6 and to hold the latter 7 in adjusted position relative to the legs 76 and 77, and may be manually disengaged from the bars 6 and 7 to free the latter for vertical sliding movement relative to the legs 76 and 77.

A substantially L-shaped plate 33 is mounted on and secured to the longitudinal central portion of the upper face of the slide 11, FIGS. 3, 6A, and 7. The plate 83 projects rearwardly from the slide 11, with the short leg $4 thereof disposed in rearwardly spaced relation to the bar 4, FIG. 3. An opening 85 extends downwardly through the short leg 84 for a purpose which will be discussed in greater detail presently.

A mounting plate 86 is hingedly mounted on the outer face of the rear wall 9 of the upper bar 4 by a hinge 87 for vertical swinging movement between an upright position, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 6A and a downwardly extending position, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 6A. The mounting plate 86 is disposed in such position on the bar 4, that when the slide 11 is disposed in the aforementioned normal position, and the mounting plate 86 is disposed in the aforementioned upright position. The short leg 84 of the plate 83 is disposed rearwardly of the mounting plate 86 in position to prevent downward swinging movement of the mounting plate 86. The mounting plate 86 has a notch 88 formed in the edge portion thereof in such position that it affords clearance between the short leg 84 of the plates 83 and the plate 86 when the slide 11 is disposed in the aforementioned actuated position, to thereby free the mounting plate 86 for downward swinging movement from fully raised position to fully lowered position.

The hinge 87 has a plate 89 mounted thereon in perpendicular relation to the mounting plate 86, the plate 89 having an opening 90 therein in such position that when the mounting plate 86 is disposed in fully raised position, with the slide 11 disposed in its aforementioned normal position, the openings and 90 are disposed in vertical alignment with each other, FIG. 7, so that suitable locking means, such as, for example, the hasp of a padlock, not shown, may be inserted therethrough to lock the slide 11 against movement out of its aforementioned normal position.

The mounting plate 86 also affords a support on which a sign, or like advertising material, such as the sign 91, FIGS. 1, 2, and 6A, may be mounted by suitable means such as bolts or rivets 92. With the sign 91 thus mounted on the mounting plate 86, it not only affords advertising material, but it also affords a readily visible signal effective to show whether the mounting plate 86 is disposed in proper position to latch the slide 11 against movement from its aforementioned normal position, wherein it is effective to block movement of the slide rods 40-43 out of their normal lowered positions wherein they are ef fective to hold the respective retainer members in articlesecuring position on the supporting structure 3.

If desired, other signs or advertising media, such as the sign 93 shown in FIG. 1 may be secured to the lower bar 5.

Preferably, the supporting rods 14-19 are slidably mounted in the bars 4 and 5, the bar 5 being closed at the bottom to support the lower ends of the supporting rods 14-19, and the slide rods 40-43 therein. With this construction, the supporting rods 14-19, and, therefore, the respective shelves mounted thereon may be quickly and easily changed. This may be accomplished by moving the slide 11 into the aforementioned actuated position, and then moving the supporting rods 14 and 15, 16 and 17, or 18 and 19, which it is desired to replace, upwardly through the openings 4-4 aligned therewith until the lower ends th reof are disposed above the bar 5, and then move the rods 14-19, which are to be removed downwardly at an angle to the bar 5 out of engagement with the bar 4. New rods 14-19 may be inserted in the bars 4-5 in a reverse manner.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel display device wherein the supporting structure thereof, for supporting the articles of merchandise to be displayed, may be quickly and easily vertically adjusted to various display positions.

Also, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel display device which is effective to secure articles of merchandise displayed thereon against unauthorized removal therefrom.

In addition, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel display device which is operable in a novel and expeditious manner to so secure articles of merchandise of various shapes, sizes, and construction.

Also, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel display device which is practical and efficient in operation and which may be readily and economically produced commercially.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A display device for displaying mechandise, said device comprising (a) a base,

(b) supporting means operatively mounted on said base for supporting such merchandise thereon, and

(c) retaining means mounted on said base for retaining said merchandise on said supporting means,

(d) said retaining means comprising (1) means for overlying said merchandise in position to retain said merchandise on said supporting means, and

(2) slide means movably mounted on said base for movement into and out of position to hold said third-mentioned means in said retaining position thereof.

2. A display device for displaying merchandise, said device comprising (a) supporting means,

(b) a shelf mounted on said supporting means and projecting horizontally therefrom in position to support an article of such merchandise thereon, and

(c) means for securing said article in supported position on said shelf,

(d) said securing means comprising (1) retainer means for overlying said article in position to so secure said article on said shelf, (2) slide means movable on said base between (a') one position elfective to hold said retainer means in said securing position, and (b') a second position effective to release said retainer means from said securing position, and (3) means mounted onsaid base for movement between (a') a position elfective to hold said slide means in said one position, and (b') another position effective to free said slide means for movement into said second position.

3. A display device as defined in claim 2, and in which (a) said slide means comprise two elongated slide rods longitudinally movable between said one position and said second position, and

(b) said securing means comprise a substantially hookshaped member mounted on and carried by said two slide rods for movement therewith between (1) a seeming position wherein said member is hooked over said article on the side thereof remote from said shelf when said rods are disposed in said one position, and

(2) another position wherein said member is disposed in spaced relation to said article when said slide rods are disposed in said second position.

4. A display device as device as defined in claim 2, and

in which (a) said slide means comprise two elongated slide rods longitudinally movable between said one position and said second position, and

(b) said securing means comprise a substantially annular-shaped member mounted on and carried by said two slide rods for movement therewith between (1) a securing position wherein said member is disposed around said article on the side thereof remote from said shelf when said rods are disposed in said one position, and

(2) another position wherein said member is disposed in spaced relation to said article when said slide rods are disposed in said second position.

5. A display device as defined in claim 2, and in which (a) said slide means comprises an elongated slide rod movable between said one position and said second position,

(b) said retainer means comprises an elongated member adapted to extend through a portion of said arti' cle when said securing means are disposed in said securing position, and

(c) said slide means (1) when in said one position, extends through said elongated member in position to prevent withdrawal thereof from said article, and

(2) when in said second position, is free from said elongated member to thereby free the latter for withdrawal from said article.

6. A display device as defined in claim 2, and in which (a) said last-mentioned means comprise a slide (1) having openings therethrough, and

(2) being movable between (a') a position to overlie said slide means in position to block movement thereof from said one position to said second position, and

(b') another position effective to align said openings with said slide means to thereby free said slide means for movement between said one position and said second position.

i0 7. A display device for displaying articles of merchandise, said device comprising (a) supporting means including an elongated upper bar and an elongated lower bar disposed in spaced, substantially parallel relation to each other,

(b) a plurality of elongated rods extending between and mounted in said bars,

(c) horizontally extending shelves mounted on and supported by certain of said rods in position to support respective articles of merchandise thereon,

(d) other of said rods being slidably mounted in said upper bar for longitudinal movement transversely therethrough between a raised position and a lowered position,

(e) means on said upper bar and movable, when said other rods are disposed in said lowered position, between (1) one position effective to overlie said other rods in position to block movement thereof from said lowered position to said raised position, and (2) a second position effective to free said other rods for movement between said lowered position and said raised position, and (f) means for holding such articles mounted on said shelves against removal from the device, (g) said holding means being mounted on said other rods.

8. A display device as defined in claim 7, .and in which (a) certain of said shelves have upstanding flanges thereon for enclosing the bottoms of said articles, (b) certain of said holding means are mounted on respective ones of said other rods and movable therewith between (1) one posit-ion overlying said articles on said certain shelves effective to clamp said articles on said certain shelves against removal from within said flanges, when said other rods are disposed in said lowered position, and (2) another position spaced from said articles on said certain shelves a suflicient distance to permit the removal of said articles from said certain shelves. 9. A display device as defined in claim 8, and in which (a) each of said other rods is disposed in adjacent, substantially parallel relation to a respective one of said certain rods, and (b) said holding means are slidably mounted on said certain rods. 10. A display device as defined in claim 7, and in which (a) at least some of said holding means are slidably mounted on respective pairs of said rods when said other rods are disposed in said one position, with each of said pairs comprising one of said certain rods and one of said other rods, and (b) said last-mentioned other rods are axially spaced from said holding means when said last-mentioned rods are disposed in said raised position therefor. 11. A display device as defined in claim 7, and in which (a) said means on said upper bar comprises an elongated member (1) having longitudinally spaced openings extending therethrough, and (2) longitudinally slidable longitudinally of said upper bar between (a') a position effective to align said openings with said other rods to thereby free said other rods for movement between said lowered position and said raised position, and (b') another position to overlie said other rods with said openings disposed out of alignment therewith to thereby prevent movement of said other rods from said lowered position to said raised position.

1 1 12. A display device as defined in claim 11, and which includes I (a) latch means on said upper bar and on said elongated member for holding said elongated member in said other position. 13. A display device as defined in claim 7, and in which (a) said supporting means also includes (1) two other upper and lower bars, (2) upright bars extending between said two other upper and lower bars, and (3) other upright bars (a) extending between said first-mentioned upper and lower bars, and b) slidably mounted on and supported by References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/ 1909 Harding IDS-31 3/1960 Jacobson 2114 4/1961 Young 10831 3/1963 Gray 248-23 1/1965 Schultz et a1. 211-4 4/ 1965 Levy 21164 FOREIGN PATENTS 2/1930 France.

FRANK B.- SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

said first-mentioned upright bars for 1ongi- 15 G O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner tudinal sliding movement relative thereto.

Claims (1)

1. A DISPLAY DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING MECHANDISE, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING (A) A BASE, (B) SUPPORTING MEANS OPERATIVELY MOUNTED ON SAID BASE FOR SUPPORTING SUCH MERCHANDISE THEREON, AND (C) RETAINING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID BASE FOR RETAINING SAID MERCHANDISE ON SAID SUPPORTING MEANS, (D) SAID RETAINING MEANS COMPRISING (1) MEANS FOR OVERLYING SAID MERCHANDISE IN POSITION TO RETAIN SAID MERCHANDISE ON SAID SUPPORTING MEANS, AND (2) SLIDE MEANS MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID BASE FOR MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF POSITION TO HOLD SAID THIRD-MENTIONED MEANS IN SAID RETAINING POSITION THEREOF.

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