US3883004A

US3883004A - Cantilever movable panel display rack

Info

Publication number: US3883004A
Application number: US320181A
Authority: US
Inventors: Case J Slaga
Original assignee: ADVERTISING METAL DISPLAY Co
Current assignee: FIRST ACQUISITION CORP; FIRST ACQUISITION CORP AN IL CORP
Priority date: 1973-01-02
Filing date: 1973-01-02
Publication date: 1975-05-13
Anticipated expiration: 1992-05-13

Abstract

A display rack employing cantilever construction having a base, a rear support wall affixed to the base, a top section extending from the top of the rear wall and generally suspended over the base, track means extending transversely across the top section parallel to the rear wall, display panel units slideably suspended from the tracks adapted to slideably reciprocate transversely and parallel to the rear support wall element to expose the surface of the panels to view. Guides are provided for the lower portion of the panels. A plurality of track securing means in the top section and guides on the base permit adjustment of the plane of panel movement in various locations forward of the rear wall.

Description

[ 51 May 13,1975

1 1 CANTILEVER MOVABLE PANEL DISPLAY RACK [75] Inventor: Case ,1. Slaga, I-Iinsdale, Ill.

[73} Assignee: Advertising Metal Display Co.,

Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Jan. 2, 1973 [21'] Appl. No.: 320,181

[52] US. Cl. 211/162; 211/175 [51] Int. Cl. A47t 5/10 [58] Field of Search 211/162, 94.5, 94, 151,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,841,620 1/1932 McCoy 312/342 X 2,327,410 8/1943 Ferguson 211/162 X 2,547,368 4/1951 Booth 312/342 2,587,396 2/1952 Smayda 211/134 X 3,162,417 12/1964 Briggs 211/162 X 3,360,136 12/1967 Ain 211/162 3,601,257 8/1971 Potter 211/162 3,750,893 8/1973 Kempler 211/162 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 508,436 7/1952 Belgium 211/113 Primary Examiner-Ramon S. Britts Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Neuman, Williams, Anderson & Olson [57] ABSTRACT A display rack employing cantilever construction having a base, a rear support wall affixed to the base, a top section extending from the top of the rear wall and generally suspended over the base, track means extending transversely across the top section parallel to the rear wall, display panel units slideably suspended from the tracks adapted to slideably reciprocate transversely and parallel to the rear support wall element to expose the surface of the panels to view. Guides are provided for the lower portion of the panels. A plurality of track securing means in the top section and guides on the base permit adjustment of the plane of panel movement in various locations forward of the rear wall.

Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTED MAY 1

3W5

3, 3 ,004.

SHEH 10? 3 CANTILEVER MOVABLE PANEL DISPLAY RACK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to movable panel display racks having a cantilever construction and provided with an adjustability feature to permit forward or rearward location of the plane of movement of the display panels mounted between the top section and base of the display rack construction.

2. Description of the Prior Art Display units employing movable panels are known to the art. For example, in Ain, US. Pat. No. 3,360,136, patented Dec. 26, 1967, there is disclosed an assembly having upper and lower horizontal tracks permanently affixed to a ceiling and floor member along which a series of vertically positioned rectangular frames are slideable and within each frame a central panel encloses an object such as a plywood sheet, carpeting or poster sheets. In this construction the plane of movement is relatively fixed by the spacing of the tracks which are permanently mounted to a ceiling or floor member. Another display rack for visually displaying rugs .or carpet samples or other flat elements embodying different forms is Radek, US. Pat. No. 3,185,309, patented May 25, 1965. In this construction a frame contains a plurality of supporting devices which comprise two main parts: a sample holder and a supporting rack member. The rack member is in the form of a L-shaped track element in which the sampleholding element adapted to secure the top of a carpet section is slideable. The rack member is secured to the top of a cabinet by means of bolts and the sample holder may be withdrawn carrying the carpet sample to permit visual inspection but remaining suspended from said track element. After inspection is complete, the sliding support element is pushed back into the track and other samples may be viewed.

Some of the problems associated with these prior art display racks or constructions are that they do not provide a simple means of adjusting forward and rearward spacing of the reciprocating or transversely moving sliding panel elements. This feature of adjustability in the forward or rearward spacing of the panels is important in a situation where the panel structure itself is the base or substrate on which articles for merchandising are to be displayed. In the prior art the article to be displayed was in the form of a panel or sheet itself and merely held in framework for display purposes. A second feature of the prior art construction is that they are conventionally either attached to a ceiling or wall of an existing structure or within a framework or cabinet type construction. This type of construction while suitable for many purposes has drawbacks in that there are supporting elements at the forward corners of the cabinet which obstruct angular viewing and easy access to goods which would be displayed on the panels. From a merchandising point of view it is desirable to have complete access to the most rearward of the panels employed within the display rack. A further feature not found in the prior art constructions is the cantilever loading principle which permits the entire load to be carried by a rear wall or support element which, of course, is interrelated to the concept of a construction which will not have support elements which would interfere with the display of and access to merchandise. This feature of course would permit a series of display rack elements to be placed in side-by-side relationship along a wall or forming a wall in an aisle of a store or other merchandising area and present an appearance or a continuous unit having contiguous top elements, rear wall or support elements, and base elements. This is especially important in modern day concepts of merchandising in supermarkets or other selfservice, point of purchase sales.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates broadly to a sliding panel display rack of cantilever construction comprising:

a. a rectangular base having front, rear and side elements;

b. a wall support element secured to the rear of the base at its lower end and rising vertically therefrom;

c. a top frame support member of generally open rectangular configuration having front, rear and sidewalls, and secured to the top portion of the wall element in generally over-hanging and opposed relationship to the base;

d. track supporting means mounted interiorly of the side walls of the top frame member in parallel opposed relationship to each other and having a plurality of regularly spaced track receiving and holding means formed therein adapted to secure the ends of a plurality of track elements extending transversely across the space between the said side walls;

e. track means adapted for holding roller means in sliding relationship, said track means extending transversely across the interior space of the top frame member and secured at their opposed ends by the track receiving and holding means, the track in its secured position being disposed normal to the side walls and parallel to the front and rear walls of the top frame member;

f. a plurality of panel-engaging transverse guiding means on the base; and

g. a display panel of generally rectangular configuration having a top, bottom and sides, the dimensions between the sides being less than the dimensions between the side elements of the top frame and base elements, said panel having roller means mounted adjacent the top portion thereof, said roller mean being secured by and within the track means and carrying the suspended panel depending from said rollers to the guide means mounted on the base to provide a generally vertical panel surface and permit reciprocating movement of said panel on the track means and within the guide means of the base between the side portions of the base and top member.

The panel elements used for display are in one preferred form of the invention selfformed metal elements provided with a plurality of apertures in regularly spaced pattern in the fashion of a pegboard permitting items to be displayed for merchandising purposes, to be affixed thereto by means of hooks or clips which permit ready removal of the item of merchandise by consumers and purchasers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the display rack construction showing the display panels in place;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the upper portion of the panel shown in the construction of FIG. 1, including the track assembly used to support the roller and panel combination;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the base portion of the rack, together with the affixed rear wall support guide means on lower portions of the panels in place within the guide means:

FIG. 4A is a partial fragmentary perspective view of a corner of the top frame portion of the display rack of FIG. 1 and associated track and panel assembly showing one preferred track securing means with the track in place;

FIG. 4B is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the interior surface of side wall 32b taken along the line 4B4B of FIG. 4A showing the track in place;

FIG. 4C is a sectional view of side wall 32b taken along the line 4C4C of FIG. 48;

FIG. 5A is a partial fragmentary perspective view of a corner of the top frame element similar to the view of FIG. 4A illustrating another form of track supporting and securing means;

FIG. 5B is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the interior of side frame 32b taken along 58-58 of FIG.

FIG. 5C is a sectional view of the side wall taken along the line 5C5C of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a partial fragmentary perspective view of a corner of the top frame element similar to the view of FIG. 4A illustrating still another form of track supporting and securing means;

FIG. 6B is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the interior of side frame 32b taken along the line 6B6B of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a sectional view of the side wall and track securing means shown in FIG. 6A and taken along the lines 6C6C of FIG. 68;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the top frame support member of FIG. 1 showing the tracks and panels in place;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the base 12 of FIG. 1 in partial section, illustrating the guide means carried on the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1 there is illustrated a display rack 10, including a base 12, a rear wall supporting element 14 affixed at its lower end 14a to the base and extending upwardly to an upper end 14b, a top frame support member 16 affixed to the rear wall support element 14 adjacent to the upper or top end thereof 14b and extending generally in overhanging and opposed relationship to the base 12. A plurality of

panels

18a, 18b and 180 are shown extending between guide means 20 affixed to the base 12 upwardly to the top frame support member 16, adapted to slide in reciprocating fashion in the guide tracks 22 of guide means 20 and on the track 24 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A secured in top frame 16.

The base 12 of the display rack unit shown in FIG. 1 is generally rectangular in form and is formed having a front wall member 26,

side wall elements

27a and 27b, rear wall element or section 28. The top frame portion, likewise, has a front wall member 30,

side walls

32a and 32b, and rear wall 34. The top frame element 16, like the base, is also of generally rectangular configuration and approximately the same size and shape as the base element so that a plurality of display rack units may be placed in side-to-side relationship to form an entire wall of display units which to a visual observer would present an appearance of having a common base, top and rear wall, although actually formed of a plurality of individual display units. As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the base is also provided with a further footing 36 which may be considered as an extension of the base 12. This footing 36 is formed so as to provide what is customarily termed a kick-space below the base to absorb the scuffing by customers shoes on the face 36a. It should be understood that this is an added convenience feature for consumers providing easier, more agreeable access, to the contents of the display rack 10 but is not required for proper functioning of the device. The element 36 may be intergrally formed with the base 12 or may be separately formed and affixed to 12 by means of bolts, screws, welding or the like. panel 18c, illustrated in partial perspective in FIG. 2 of the drawings, comprises a surface 38 and

sides

40 and 42, which may be in the form of flanges which extend rearwardly from panel face 38. The bottom portion 44 of panels 18 is adapted to fit within the guide tracks 22 of guide means 20 which, as shown in FIG. 3, is an integrally formed sheet having a plurality of spaced channels or guides 22 extending rearwardly from the front 26 of the base 12. The channels 22 are spaced to correspond with the track securing means described later in this specification so that the surface 38 of the panels is maintained in a generally vertical, upright position, essentially normal to the side wall elements of the base and top member and parallel to the rear wall member 14, permitting reciprocation of the panels 18 on tracks 24 within the guides 22 in side-to-side transverse fashion. As shown in these drawings, panel face 38 is formed with a plurality of apertures 38a which are regularly spaced in the manner of a pegboard to permit affixation thereon of the traditional clips, hooks 46 or the like which extend outwardly and forwardly of the surface 38. These hooks or clips 46 illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings are readily removable and placed in various locations with various spacings on the panel to accommodate different sizes of merchandise.

The top portion 48 of the panel is shown as a single thickness of material, usually metal such as steel sheet, which is reinforced by an additional plate or sheet 50 extending the entire width of the top portion to provide the necessary strength and rigidity to hold the pair of rollers 52 affixed thereto by means of studs 53 which are fastened to the upper portion 48 of panel 18c by bolting, threaded engagement, welding or the like. It will be noted that the top portion 48 is indented the distance of the space 48a from the flange or edge 40. This indentation is symmetrical on each side of the sheet of panel face 38.

The rollers 52 are disposed in the track element 24 which defines in cross section a C-shaped channel of sufficient size to accommodate the roller 52 between the top surface 24a thereof and the bottom surface 24b. The spacing 240 of lips 24e is in the open portion of the C-shape and permits the axle or stud 53 to pass freely along the track allowing movement of the panel 180 in reciprocating, transverse fashion.

The track or channel 24 is held in the top frame member 16 at its extreme ends 24 by a track supporting means 55. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C of the drawings this track supporting means 55 is provided with regularly spaced track securing and holding means 56 which in FIG. 4A are rectangular spaces formed in the channel shaped member 55. In FIG. 4A a track 24 is shown having one end 24d inserted in the holding and receiving means 56 defined by upstanding metal portions 56a of the track holding and supporting means 55. The track holding and supporting means 55 is secured to the sidewall 32b of the top frame member 16. A complementary track supporting means is mounted interiorly of the opposed side wall 32a of the top frame support member 16. As shown, the support 55 is mounted directly on the inwardly directed flange 57 and the end 24d of the track 24 rests directly on element 55 which rests on flange 57. A similar flange 57a is formed at the top of the side member 32b for strength and rigidity.

In FIG. 4A the track with depending panel is shown in the removed position by dotted line. This is accomplished merely by lifting the track 24 out of the slots 56 and moving the entire assembly to a position forward or rearward of its original position. This feature permits spacing of the track 24 with its depending panel members to accommodate merchandise placed on the face 38 of panels 18. With the movement of the track 24 in the top frame member, the bottom portion of the panel 44 is moved to a corresponding location in the guide member 20 so that the panel maintains a generally vertical position parallel to the rear wall support member.

Reference is made to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C wherein a second form of the present invention is disclosed. In this particular embodiment a track supporting means 59 is disclosed in the form of parallel strips of

metal

60 and 61 provided with a plurality of apertures 62 regularly spaced lengthwise of

strips

60 and 61. The apertures 62 in each of the strips are so spaced so that the apertures in said strip 60 will be aligned with corresponding apertures in strip 61 to provide corresponding openings for pins 63 affixed by welding to each end of track 24. In FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C the movement in the operative and in the removed position is shown by the solid and broken line drawings respectively.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate a still further modification of the track supporting means 65, comprising a strip 66 formed into a plurality of regularly spaced depressions 66a separated by curvulinear elevations 66b. In this embodiment a roller 67 is affixed by means of a stud or pin 68 to the end of the track 24 by means of welding. Roller 67 fits within the depression 66a which is shaped and formed to provide a smooth corresponding fit therewith, thereby providing a rather firm fitted relationship. The weight of the panel assembly is sufficient to prevent accidental movement of the roll member 67 from one depression 66a to another. The dotted line drawings show the removal and/or adjustment of the track and associated element 67.

The rear support wall 14 is secured to the base 12 at the rear portions thereof and may be integrally formed with the base so that the rear portion of the base and the rear supporting wall 14 are a single element. The rear supporting wall 14, as indicated above, is connected to the base at its lower end 14a. The wall comprises generally a pair of support members 140 and 14d which, in the illustrations of FIGS. 1 and 8 are shown as two square to hollow columns rising upwardly from the base across the rear wall thereof. Spanning the two columns 14c and 14d is a metal plate 15 which may also be apertured in the same fashion as the movable display panels. The top frame member 16 is secured at its rear wall to the top 14b of the rear wall support element 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. The rear wall of the top frame element may be formed independently of the top edge of the rear wall element or may be formed integrally therewith so that the top rectangular edge of the wall and supporting unit 14 forms the rear wall of the top frame 16 and also the rear wall of the base 12.

When assembled, the display rack shown in FIG. 1 uses the cantilever principle to support the load of the panels and merchandise carried thereby, which load is transmitted from top frame, to rear support wall, to the base.

The panels have, as indicated, rollers 52 affixed to their upper edges which ride in track elements 24 disposed in track securing and holding means in the track supporting elements at the sides of the top member. The lateral or side-to-side dimension of each of the panels 18a, 18b and are less than the length of the track or the guide elements in the base to permit movement of the panels in the tracks transversely from side to side in the display rack. Thus, merchandise dis played, say on the rear wall element 15, could be exposed to view by sliding the

racks

18a, 18b and 18c to one side or the other on tracks 24. Likewise, merchandise displayed on the face of panel 180 could be examined by moving that panel to one side of the rack and the two

panels

18b and 180 to the other side, thereby permitting an inspection and selection of merchandise by a consumer. The guide tracks 22 formed in guide member 20, affixed to the base 12, secure the panels 18 to prevent swinging or movement of the panels in a position out of vertical which could cause displacement of merchandise affixed thereto by hooks, previously described. The rack construction permits ready adjustment of the space relationship of the plurality of

display panels

18a, 18b and 18c in a front to rear relationship by means of the various track supporting and securing means located in the top frame member. By this expedient merchandise which is rather bulky can be displayed on rearward movable panel 18a by merely moving

racks

18b and 180 forwardly thereof so as to, permit sufficient space there between to provide clearance for the merchandise affixed to 180.

The rack is also readily easily serviced by delivery salesmen who customarily will examine the entire rack to replace any merchandise that has been sold or that is in short supply.

A further obvious advantage is that by the cantilever construction of the display rack of the present invention, one is enabled to produce a rack which does not require support elements such as posts at the forward corners of the rack where the side walls of the base and top members meet the front walls of the base and top member. Furthermore, no sidewalls such as are found in the typical cabinet construction are required thus permitting a series of these racks to be assembled together and provide visual angular access by a customer standing in front of one rack to the rearward portions of the other rack, thus stimulating sales by visual impact which is, of course, an important feature in pointof-purchase self-service merchandising. By maintaining the units in modular form one is enabled to produce wall displays by assembling a plurality of these display rack devices in side-by-side relationship forming an island and a similar line of display racks in side-by-side relationship may be placed rearwardly thereof with their rear support wall members in a back-to-back relationship. This is, of course, an obvious saving of space, provides an open, free appearance of the merchandise displayed, and at the same time permits very large quantities of merchandise to be available to the customer for his inspection and purchase in a limited amount of floor space. The width of each movable panel is, as indicated, less than the lateral side-to-side dimension, and usually about one-half of that distance so that two panels may be inspected fully at the same time by moving each one to opposed sides of the rack.

It should also be understood that the display rack of the present invention may be modified by lengthening the front and rear walls of the top and base section and the rear support wall 14 to provide a very elongated rectangular rack. In this form one can provide a plurality of panels having a relatively narrow lateral dimension which could ride in the same track, it being understood that where two panels ride in the same track and the same guide channel, the total lateral dimensions are sufficient to permit movement so that the panels or rear wall are available for inspection. The bottom portion of the panel, as shown in the drawings, is generally riding free of guide channel 22, the latter serving only to confine the panel as to position rather than providing any support. Small plastic inserts 18d are provided at the bottom portions of the panels 18a through c to prevent scratching of the guide channel and elimination of friction in the lateral movement of each of the panels.

What is claimed is:

l. A sliding panel display rack of cantilever construction having sliding display panels which are adjustable in front to rear relationship, which comprises:

a. a generally rectangular base having front, rear and side frame elements;

b. vertical wall support means secured to the rear portion of the base at its one lower end;

0. a top frame support member of generally open rectangular configuration having front, rear and side wall elements secured to the top of the supporting wall means in cantilevered relationship thereto and extendng outwardly in spaced overhanging and opposed relationship to said base defining a display space being completely open at the front and sides thereof;

d. track supporting and adjustment means mounted on the inner surface of the top frame side members in parallel opposed relationship to each other and having formed therein a plurality of regularly spaced track receiving and holding means adjustably securing the ends of track elements extending transversely across the space between the side members and associated supporting means;

e. at least one track means which is C shaped in cross section in a vertical direction adapted for holding roller means in rolling relationship therein, said track means extending horizontally and transversely across the interior space defined by the walls of said top member and adjustably secured at its ends by said track securing and holding means, the track in said secured position being normal to the side walls and parallel to the front and rear walls of the top frame;

f. a guide means unit affixed to the upper portions of said base, said guide means defining channels for receiving the bottom portion of a panel, the channels being generally parallel to the front of the base and extending across the width thereof; and

g. at least one display panel of generally rectangular configuration having a top, bottom and sides, the dimensions between the sides being less than the side-to-side dimension of the top and base, said panel having at least two rollers mounted adjacent the top edge thereof secured by and within the track elements and carrying the therefrom suspended panel which is confined at its bottom end in the guide means to permit reciprocating lateral movement of the panel on the rollers and within the guide means while maintaining the panel in generally vertically disposed relationship to the base and top frame, said display rack being further characterized by essentially supporting the entire load of the panels by the top frame, rear support wall and base and being open and free from obstructions support, and wall elements at the side and front portions thereof in the space defined by the said top frame, base and joining rear support wall, said construction being further characterized in maintaining the reciprocally movable display panels vertically and parallel to the rear wall within the space defined by the top frame and base.

2. A display rack according to claim 1 wherein the guide means comprises a unitary sheet having a plurality of parallel channels formed therein.

3. A display rack according to claim 1 wherein the track supporting means comprise a flange having a plurality of rectangular notches formed therein for removable sliding securing engagement with the ends of said track means.

4. A display rack according to claim 1 wherein the track supporting means comprises a strip element having a plurality of regularly spaced apertures formed therein, the apertures having a vertical disposition to the base, and track means having pins secured to the ends thereof for removable engagement with said apertures.

5. A display rack according to claim 1 wherein the panels and associated track means comprises a plurality of said associated panel and track means disposed on the track support and in the guide means in spaced front to rear relationship.

6. A display rack according to claim 1 wherein the display panel has a flat face panel and rearwardly extending flanges at the sides thereof, said flanges having a depth to permit sliding engagement with the channels of the guide means.

7. A display rack according to claim 6 wherein the panels are provided with a plurality of regularly spaced apertures formed therein.

8. A display rack according to claim 7 wherein the rear support wall is provided with a plurality of regularly spaced apertures.

9. A display rack according to claim 1 wherein the track supporting means comprise a curvulinear series of elevations and depressions, and the track elements are provided with curvulinear elements at the ends thereof, the depressions being formed to conform with the curve of the elements at the ends of the track means.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,883,004

DATED I May 13, 1975 |NVENTOR(S) Case J. Slaga It is certified that error appears in the ab0ve-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below;

Col. 1, l. 49 Before "framework" insert a Col. 2, l. 4 "or" should be of Col. 2, l. 48 "mean" should be means Col. 4, 1. l9 After "like" delete the comma and insert a period Col. 4, l. 19 "panel" should be Panel Col. 7, l. 25 Before "guide" insert the Signed and Scaled this thirtieth Day at September 1975 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Office Commissioner of Parents and Trademarks

Claims

1. A sliding panel display rack of cantilever construction having sliding display panels which are adjustable in front to rear relationship, which comprises: a. a generally rectangular base having front, rear and side frame elements; b. vertical wall support means secured to the rear portion of the base at its one lower end; c. a top frame support member of generally open rectangular configuration having front, rear and side wall elements secured to the top of the supporting wall means in cantilevered relationship thereto and extendng outwardly in spaced overhanging and opposed relationship to said base defining a display space being completely open at the front and sides thereof; d. track supporting and adjustment means mounted on the inner surface of the top frame side members in parallel opposed relationship to each other and having formed therein a plurality of regularly spaced track receiving and holding means adjustably securing the ends of track elements extending transversely across the space between the side members and associated supporting means; e. at least one track means which is ''''C'''' shaped in cross section in a vertical direction adapted for holding roller means in rolling relationship therein, said track means extending horizontally and transversely across the interior space defined by the walls of said top member and adjustably secured at its ends by said track securing and holding means, the track in said secured position being normal to the side walls and parallel to the front and rear walls of the top frame; f. a guide means unit affixed to the upper portions of said base, said guide means defining channels for receiving the bottom portion of a panel, the channels being generally parallel to the front of the base and extending across the width thereof; and g. at least one display panel of generally rectangular configuration having a top, bottom and sides, the dimensions between the sides being less than the side-to-side dimension of the top and base, said panel having at least two rollers mounted adjacent the top edge thereof secured by and within the track elements and carrying the therefrom suspended panel which is confined at its bottom end in the guide means to permit reciprocating lateral movement of the panel on the rollers and within the guide means while maintaining the panel in generally vertically disposed relationship to the base and top frame, said display rack being further characterized by essentially supporting the entire load of the panels by the top frame, rear support wall and base and being open and free from obstructions support, and wall elements at the side and front portions thereof in the space defined by the said top frame, base and joining rear support wall, said construction being further characterized in maintaining the reciprocally movable display panels vertically and parallel to the rear wall within the space defined by the top frame and base.