US3388808A - Collapsible display tray - Google Patents

Description

June 18, 1968 J. R. RADEK 3,388,808

COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY TRAY Filed March 23, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Hal 0 f 33 gm LQQIIl INVENTOR sy Q2, John R. Bade/z June 18, 1968 R, RADEK COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY TRAY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 25, 1966 I W HE I N VEN TOR John B. .Qadek June 18, 1968 J. R RADEK 3,388,808

COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY TRAY Filed March 23, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 l INVENTOB k Johrz ,2 2adele Jun 8 J. R. QQADEK 3,388,808

COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY TRAY Filed March 25, 19 66 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 -91 :3 E8 as @51 United States Patent 3,388,808 COLLAPSEBLE DISPLAY TRAY John R. Radek, Hinsdale, ilk, assignor to Ready Metal Mfg. Co., Chicago, 111., a corporation of lliinois Filed Mar. 23, 1966, Ser. No. 536,809 7 Claims. (Cl. 211-132) AESTRACT OF THE DISQLOSURE A collapsible merchandise display rack of rugged construction, which may be knocked down to a compact state for shipment, formed mainly of wire, which may be sup ported by a modular post system, and which consists essentially of a horizontal shelf portion formed with depending flanges at the front and back thereof. Front and back walls are hingedly mounted to the free edges of the flanges to permit the walls to be set u and locked in upstanding position by detachable and adjustably positioned dividers of the type disclosed in applicants earlier Patent No. 3,015,399. Thereby, a rigid container with compartments of any desired width are attainable. Alternatively, the walls may be swung through an arc of approximately 270 to nest below the horizontal shelf portion and in the space between the flanges, to permit packing the display tray in a minimum amount of space.

My invention relates broadly to the art of display equipment intended primarily for use by merchants for the display of relatively small items of merchandise, and more particularly for the display of such goods in a retail drygoods store.

It has long been recognized that bent wire is especially desirable for such equipment because of the ease of working, relatively low cost, light weight, convenient cleanability, etc., and my invention is especially designed for, but not restricted to, such material. In some respects my present invention may be considered an improvement over the invention disclosed and claimed in my Patent No. 3,015,399, granted Jan. 2, 1962, and that of Sides Patent No. 2,868,391, dated Jan. 13, 1959.

A particular object of my invention is the provision of a merchandise display tray of the character referred to which may readily be collapsed to occupy a minimum of space for convenient storage or shipment.

A further object is to provide an article of the type referred to which is simple in construction, easy and inexpensive to fabricate by mass-production methods, rugged and long-lived despite hard usage, and generally satisfactory for the purposes desired.

A special object of my invention is to provide a merchandise display basket of the type referred to preferably, although not nece sarily, formed of wire, having a bottom, front and back wall members, the front and back wall members being swivelled to the bottom wall or shelf portion, in combination with adjustable dividers, said dividers serving not only to provide compartments or bins of any desired width but also being detachably connectable to the front and back wall members to form a rigid basket or tray.

Still another object is to provide a display basket of the type referred to wherein the front and back wall members are so swivelly joined to the shelf portion as to be swingable within an angle of approximately 270, i.e., from their normal upstanding positions both outwardly and inwardly, to permit connecting and disconnecting them with the dividers, such inward movement extending to a position overlying the shelf portion for convenient packing in a minimum of space.

I am aware that basket-type containers or bins having a pivotal wall, usually formed of wire, have been sug- 3,888,808 Patented June 18, 1968 gested, as in Goldman Patent No. 2,662,661, granted Dec. 15, 1953, which discloses a grocery cart of the type commonly used in supermarkets with a collapsible rear Wall to permit nesting of one cart with another. However, my invention contemplates a different type of structure for different purposes, as hereinafter described.

Still another object is to provide a display tray of the character referred to which is especially adapted to be mounted on standard skeleton framing or like supporting means.

In my Patent No. 3,015,399 I disclose and claim a merchandise display tray including a sheet-metal shelf in combination with separate front and back members formed of bent wire and also including adjustable dividers, likewise of wire. While that construction has been found eminently satisfactory, my present invention represents a marked improvement thereover in that the bottom or shelf portion of the tray is likewise formed of wire, resulting in a great saving in weight and cost; furthermore, in the present invention the front and back walls are hingedly connected to the horizontal or shelf portion, resulting in a great saving of time in erection or demounting of the equipment, and greatly facilitating packing and shipping. Further, in my present invention, the back and front walls are detachably connected to dividers to provicle a firm, rigid basket.

My present invention contemplates employment of detachable and adjustable dividers, preferably formed of wire, which may, if desired, be similar in construction to corresponding members shown in my aforesaid Patent No. 3,015,399.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description proceeds.

Referring now to the drawings forming a part of this specification and illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention,

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view illustrating one embodiment of a merchandise display tray embodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the same;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG. 2, showing in full lines the tray in condition for use and, in dotted lines, the front and back walls swung out;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but upside down and showing the tray in collapsed condition for storage or shipment;

FIG. 5 is a section-elevation taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal section-elevation taken substantally along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 taken substantially along the line 7--7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevation with parts in section, viewed substantially along the line 9-9 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary bottom plan, viewed substantially along the line 1010 of FIG. 3, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a tray embodylng my invention in partially assembled condition and mounted on a standard skeleton supporting frame.

Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the numeral 10 indicates in general a preferred embodiment of a merchandise display tray embodying my invention which is especially adapted to be supported on skeleton framing of a type which has long been standard in this art, or other suitable supporting means. Such supporting framework may comprise a plurality of spaced rear vertical posts P and front posts P A common type of suitable post is provided with a series of closely spaced slots which provide attaching means for hook formations H formed on horizontally extending brackets B, which may likewise be standard items in this art. Obviously, various other suitable means may be employed for supporting my improved tray.

It will be understood that the front and rear posts may be arranged in pairs, connected top and bottom by suitable stringers extending longitudinally and also transversely of the trays, and spaced along a wall of a store or other merchandise display area. If desired, the framing may be diposed remote from a wall, in which latter case tandem framing may be connected to the rear posts extending in opposite directions therefrom.

Tray comprises a bottom or shelf portion 12 intended to lie substantially horizontally and resting on said horizontally spaced bracket members B mounted on posts P as seen best in FIG. 3. Said shelf portion 12 preferably comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced wires 14 attached as by welding, brazing or the like to spaced horizontal stringers or connecting members 18, 18. Wire members 14- are bent downwardly at the front and rear of the shelf to form depending portions 19 and 20 (FIG. 3), said depending portions being attached as by welding or brazing to connecting wires 22, '22 so as to provide substantially vertical depending flange portions at the front and rear of the tray.

Thus, it will be seen that I provide an all-wire shelf which is fully as rugged and stiff as a sheet metal shelf but which is considerably lighter in weight, having substantially less metal therein than a sheet metal shelf, and is substantially less expensive to fabricate and is less likely to collect dust and dirt.

Tray 10 also includes a rear wall indicated generally by the character W disposed at the back of shelf 12, said wall preferably comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced Wires secured to a plurality of top, bottom and intermediate stringers or connecting wires 33a, 33b and 33c attached as by brazing or welding. Said back wall is pivotally connected to shelf portion 12 as by means of a plurality of U-shaped hinge members 35, the extremities of the legs of said hinge members being attached as by brazing to one of the wires 22', and the bottom wire 330 of the back wall W being rotatable in the bight portion of said hinge members 35. A plurality of said hinge members are secured to the shelf portion at spaced intervals in sufiicient number to provide adequate pivotal support for the back wall.

A front wall W is also pivotally connected to shelf portion 12 in like manner. Thus, said front wall is formed of a plurality of longitudinally spaced wires which are attached as by brazing or welding to a plurality of horizontally extending stringer wires such as a, 45b. It will be noted that the upstanding wires of the front wall extend in a diagonally upwardly and forwardly direction (FIG. 3) and are then bent reversely to provide an upwardly and rearwardly extending portion 48. A rectangular loop of wire is attached to said rearwardly extending portion 48 for further stiffening of the front wall.

Said front wall is pivotally attached to the bottom or shelf portion 12 in a manner similar to the back wall by means of longitudinally spaced U-shaped hinge members (FIG. 3).

Thus, as seen in FIG. 4, the front and back walls may be swung through an arc of approximately 270 from their upstanding positions to collapsed horizontal positions adjacent the underside of the shelf (FIG. 4), for convenient packing, storage and shipment. In this condition, the complete tray occupies a minimum of space.

Furthermore, inasmuch as the front and rear walls are permanently attached to the shelf, they cannot be mislaid.

In combination with the tray, as described above, I provide detachable dividers for separating the available shelf space into any number of bins or compartments of any desired width. For this purpose I may employ dividers of any desired or suitable construction. In the embodiment shown herein I disclose a divided D which is substantially similar to a form of divider shown in my aforesaid Patent No. 3,015,399.

Dividers D comprise a main portion having an encompassing generally rectangular wire loop 60, with a plurality of spaced generally parallel wires 62, and also having means for detachably connecting the divider to the front and rear walls. Said attaching means, in general, comprises a vertically elongated loop-form hook element 65 at the rear and a generally similar hook element 65' at the front of the divider, said hook elements being adapted to embrace an upstanding wire of the front or back wall, as the case might be. Also provided on said divider is a resilient lock member 70 (FIG. 3) the free end of which forms an abutment 72, all as fully described in my aforesaid patent.

In use, after the supporting frame (also preferably of knock-down construction) has been erected, including brackets B, my improved basket or tray will be disposed on said brackets, with the front and rear walls disposed more or less in the positions shown dotted in FIG. 3. Divider members D are then arranged at desired positions ,on the tray and first connected to the back wall W which is swung up to the full-line position, by engagement of hook member 65 with one of the upstanding wires. The front wall is then swung upwardly to the position shown in full lines and hook portion 65' engaged around one of the upstanding wires of said front wall. For this purpose resilient locking member 70 is sprung out of its normal position to permit engagement of said hook with the upstanding wire, and the lock member is then allowed to spring back in place, whereupon abutment 72 serves to retain the divider in its proper position. The other dividers may then be mounted successively in desired positions to provide bins or compartments of the desired width.

It will be understood that trays embodying my invention, as described above, may be fabricated of any desired length; furthermore, such trays may be arranged in tandem fashion alongside each other by merely adding to the supporting framework, to provide display areas of any length.

Demounting of the tray from its normal position as shown in full lines (FIG. 3) is simply a reverse of the operation for assembly or erection thereof, as described above. After removal of the dividers, the front and rear walls are swung into position overlying the bottom wall, as seen in full lines in FIG. 4, and for convenient packing, storage and shipment the dividers may be disposed in nested relation with the tray proper, to occupy a minimum of space.

While my preferred embodiment contemplates that my improved tray be formed substantially entirely of wire, for best enjoyment of my invention, certain benefits may be obtained if other suitable materials be substituted in whole or in part in lieu of wire.

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art; hence, I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiment shown and described or uses mentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A collapsible merchandise display tray comprising (a) a generally horizontal shelf member with a downwardly extending flange portion at the front and rear thereof,

(b) front and back walls comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced vertical wires with transversely extending stringers including a horizontal wire at the lower edge of each wall hinged to the free edges of said flanges to permit swiveling movement of said walls outwardly relative to the shelf member through an arc of approximately 270 to positions underlying said shelf member, for packing in a minimum space, and

(c) dividers normally extending between said walls and adjustably and detachably connected thereto to provide a rigid container assembly with compartments of predetermined width.

2. An article as defined in claim 1, including a plurality of hinge loops fixed to the free edges of said flanges at longitudinally spaced intervals, the bights of said loops adapted to seat the horizontal wires at the lower edges of the walls for their pivotal movement.

3. An article as defined in claim 1 wherein said shelf member of said display tray is formed by a plurality of longitudinally spaced wires integrated by a plurality of transversely extending stringers, a plurality of hinge loops fixed to the free edges of said flanges at longitudinally spaced intervals, and extending outwardly from the outermost stringers, the bights of said loops adapted to seat the horizontal wires at the lower edges of the walls for their pivotal movement.

4. A. merchandise display tray formed substantially of wire, comprising (a) a generally horizontal shelf member having a main portion in a generally horizontal plane and a depending flange-like portion at the front and rear thereof,

(b) a plurality of hinge members fixed at longitudinally spaced intervals adjacent the free extremity of each of said flange-like portions,

(c) front and back walls having a series of longitudinally spaced vertical wires serving as attachment members, said walls being pivotally connected to said hinge members of said shelf members, to permit swiveling movement of said walls outwardly relative to the shelf member,

(d) a divider normally extending between said walls and having means at the front and rear thereof engageable with the attachment members of said walls for detachably locking said divider in a predetermined longitudinal position in said tray, to provide a rigid container assembly with compartments of predetermined width, and

(c) said locking means comprising wire hooks at the front and rear of said divider with a resilient looking member in combination with one of said hooks.

5. A combination as in claim 4, wherein (a) said hinge members are generally U-shaped,

(b) said walls each having a pintle embraced within said hinge members, whereby, when said walls are swung to their fully collapsed position, they are disposed generally parallel to said horizontal portion.

6. A combination as in claim 5, wherein said pintles are part of a wire extending substantially the length of the wall and serving also as a stringer tying together longitudinally spaced wires.

7. A combination as in claim 4 having at least two dividers as defined in claim 4, said dividers being spaced a substantial distance apart.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,319,470 5/1943 Nobles 211l53 2,352,345 6/1944 Randell 211-453 2,680,522 6/1954 Temple 211149 X 2,934,214 4/1960 Mogulescu et al. 211-l50 X 3,015,399 1/1962 Radek 211134 3,269,556 8/1966 Streater 2111S4 X ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner.

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