US3921813A

US3921813A - Knockdown display rack

Info

Publication number: US3921813A
Application number: US521973A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alfonse Cimino
Original assignee: BUTLER IND Inc
Current assignee: BUTLER IND Inc
Priority date: 1974-11-08
Filing date: 1974-11-08
Publication date: 1975-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-25

Abstract

A knockdown display rack for displaying merchandise which consists of an enlarged weighted base having an upstanding support post upon which is rotatably mounted a framework or cage upon which a series of merchandise-receiving receptacles or pockets are mounted in tiers. The framework or cage is generally square in outline so as to pivotally mount a series of four receptacles at each level or tier. The display rack is designed to be manufactured as a knocked down unit comprising several components which may be packaged, stored and shipped in a compact arrangement, which may be assembled by an unskilled person without the use of special tools, and which during assembly interlock with one another to provide a rack which is sturdy and does not inadvertently collapse when subjected to normal rough handling by the customers in a retail outlet. In particular, the present invention provides a rack in which the display pockets include connecting elements which are designed to be distorted automatically into interlocking relationship during the normal assembly operation.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Cimino 111] 3,921,813 1 Nov. 25, 1975 1 KNOCKDOWN DISPLAY RACK [75] Inventor: Alfonse Ci'mino, Livingston, NJ.

[73] Assignee: Butler Industries, Inc., Newark, NJ.

[22] Filed: Nov. 8, 1974 21 Appl. No: 521,973

[52] U.S.Cl. 21l/13l;21l/l63;211/181 [51] Int. Cl? A47F 5/14 [58] Field of Search 211/78, 126, 128, 129,

Primary ExaminerRoy D. Frazier Assistant ExaminerRobert A. l-lafer Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dorfman, l-lerrell and Skillman [57] ABSTRACT A knockdown display rack for displaying merchandise which consists of an enlarged weighted base having an upstanding support post upon which is rotatably mounted a framework or cage upon which a series of merchandise-receiving receptacles or pockets are mounted in tiers. The framework or cage is generally square in outline so as to pivotally mount a series of four receptacles at each level or tier. The display rack is designed to be manufactured as a knocked down unit comprising several components which may be packaged, stored and shipped in a compact arrangement, which may be assembled by an unskilled person without the use of special tools, and which during assembly interlock with one another to provide a rack which is sturdy and does not inadvertently collapse when subjected to normal rough handling by the customers in a retail outlet. In particular, the present invention provides a rack in which the display pockets include connecting elements which are designed to be distorted automatically into interlocking relationship during the normal assembly operation.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 2 3,921,813

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 U.S. Patant Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet20f2 3,921,813

KNOCKDOWN DISPLAY RACK The present invention relates to display racks for displaying merchandise in retail outlets.

The invention is particularly applicable to display racks for use and self-service outlets which permit display of a large variety of similarly packaged items for selection by the purchaser, each item being retained in an individual pocket or receptacle with identical items so that when the purchaser makes a selection from among the items displayed, he may simply carry the selected item with him from the display.

In order to be effective, display racks of this character must be readily accessible to the customers in the store and should be easily rotated by the customer to permit inspections of the full range of items which are displayed. Thus, the racks should be relatively sturdy and not subject to collapse or disassembly when jostled by the customers or when operated by the customer in a careless fashion.

Display equipment which is sufficiently sturdy to withstand the rigors of customer abuse are relatively expensive not only because of the added expense of providing sufficient sturdiness to the structure, but also by reason of the fact that the merchandise-receiving receptacles or pockets in such permanent structures must be adjustable to accommodate articles of different sizes and shapes.

The present invention provides a rack structure which is highly economical to manufacture and distribute to the retail outlet, and which may be designed to accommodate a particular item without the necessity for providing adjustments or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a relatively inexpensive display rack formed of wires and tubular members which has rigidity to support and display a satisfactory stock of merchandise in an attractive manner.

All of the objects of the invention are more fully set forth hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of the base, support post and rotary framework of an assembled display rack, with a single merchandise-receiving receptacle in place in the uppermost tier thereof;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the rack shown in FIG. 1, with the remaining receptacles of the first tier shown in broken lines;

FIG. 3 is an exploded fragmentary persepctive view of the rack with portions broken away;

FIG. 4 is a view in side elevation of the merchandisereceiving receptable shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the support structure shown in broken lines; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the receptacle as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawing, the display rack of the present invention comprisesa weighted base 11 having an upstanding socket 12 which terminates at its upper end in a bearing flange 13. The socket 12 is tubular form and is adapted to receive therein a support post 16, which in the present instance, is likewise tubular in form and is adpated to telescopically engage within the socket 12. The support post 16 is formed in a series of sections, in the present instance. two sections 160 and 16b which are fitted together at approximately the midpoint of the support post by a telescoping joint provided by a section of reduced diameter 160 at the lower end of the section 16b, the section 160 fitting neatly within the upper end of the portion 16a (see FIG. 3).

The support post 16 rotatably supports a framework or cage 21, which, like the post 16 is formed into lower and

upper sections

21a and 21b respectively. The framework or cage provides at each level a horizontal support bar 22 andinterlock bar 23 underlying the support bar 22 closely adjacent and parallel thereto. The

bars

22 and 23 are mounted in vertically spaced relation by vertical spacer rods 24 extending the full length of each frame section. As shown in FIG. 3, each rod 24 has a main vertical run 27. The run 27 of the lower section 21a terminates at its upper end in an offset connecting part 37 and the run 27 of the upper section 2111 terminates at its lower end in a ferrule 36 which provides a telescoping joint between the sections.

As shown in FIG. 2, the support bars are formed into square outlines and are mounted, in the present instance, at six levels to support six tiers of merchandisereceiving receptacles 31. As shown in FIG. 2, the receptacles 31 aer mounted in nested relation about the four sides provided by the support bars. The receptacles 31 are suspended for pivotal movement upon the support bar 22, and means is provided to limit the downward pivotal movement. To this end, the vertical spacer rod 24 is provided with a stop leg 25 which is outwardly offset from the main vertical run 27 by

horizontal arms

26,26. At the lower end of the lower frame 21a, the downward displacement of the receptacle 31 is limited by a U-shaped stop element 29 which is suspended from the lowermost support bar 22 to hang below the framework and limit the downward pivotal movement of the lowermost receptacle. The receptacles 31 at each tier are therefore pivotally suspended from the support bars in a fashion to permit display of the merchandise in the receptacles in a convenient and attractive manner. r

The support framework or cage 21 is mounted on the tubular post 16 by annular bearing rings 32 positioned at spaced locations along the height of the framework. for example by support struts 33 mounted intermediate the support and interlock bars at selected locations along the height of the framework. The annular support rings 32 permit easy rotation of the framework 21 on the post 16. In order to facilitate rotation of the framework 21 on the post 16, an axial thrust bearing 34 is positioned between the lowermost support ring 32 and the support flange 13. The thrust bearing 34 may be of conventional form and in the present instance, comprises ball bearings mounted to provide a vertical support while facilitating rotation of the framework 21 on the base 11.

In accordance with the invention, the cage or framework 21 cooperates with the receptacle 31 to provide an interlock between these elements automatically upon assembly of the receptacle 31 with the support bars 22. To this end, the receptacle 31 is in the form of a wire basket having a peripheral rim 41 with a back run 42, declining side runs 43 which terminate in dependingfront side segments 44, and a front piece 45 extending thefull width of the basket; U-shaped supthis end, a central divider 48 is provided substantially halfway between the declining runs 43 at the opposite sides of the basket. The divider 48 consists of a wire similar to the wire forming the runs 43 and is substantially parallel thereto to form the limits of the pocket for receiving the merchandise 47. Thus, receptacle 31, through the medium of the support 46, retains the merchandise 47 in place within the pocket.

Additional retainers

49 and 50 may be provided at the front and back of the receiver basket 31, if necessary or desirable.

In accordance with the invention, a novel hanger arrangement provides cooperation between the recepta cle 31 and the framework 21 which automatically interlocks the receptacle 31 with the framework 21 when the rack is assembled. To this end, the receptacle 31 includes in addition to the

support elements

41 and 46 described above, a hanger element 52 in the form of a U-shaped bail with generally upright legs 53 extending from a transverse stop run 54. At their upper end, the

upright legs 53 terminate in hooks 55 having a light for engagement with the support rods 22. The diameter of the wire forming the hanger element 52 is less than the spacing between the support rod 22 and the interlock rod 23 so that the free end portion of the hook 55 may engage between the two

rods

22 and 23. This spacing is also less then the length of the free end portion. The material of the wire forming the hanger 52 is capable of being bent by manual pressure so that when the hooks 55 are engaged with the rod 22 when the hook is in open position as shown in broken lines in Flg. 4, the hook may be readily closed or clinched by simply bearing down on the receptacle 31 so that the free end of the hook 55 is bent toward the run 53 to close the hook around the rod 22 as shown in full lines in FIG. 3, and provide an interlock between the receptacle 31 and the cage 21 which precludes inadvertent disengagement of the receptacle from the cage when the rack is fully assembled.

The hanger 52 of the receptacle is designed to cooperate with the cage 21 to insure proper functioning of the stop means. To this end, the length of the legs 53 is selected so that when their hooks 55 are engaged with the rod 22 the stop run 54, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, registers with the stop leg 25 to limit the downward displacement of the receptacle 31 in pivotal movement on the support bar 22.

The present invention enables the production of a display rack with substantial manufacturing economies. By reason of the fact that the rack is composed of a plurality of individual components which may be assembled by the merchant when he erects the display rack, the units may be stored and shipped in a compact arrangement prior to their use. The merchandisereceiving receptacles 31 may be designed to accommodate a given type and size of package without the requirement for adjustability. The inexpensive nature of the display rack of the present invention permits the rack to be manufactured individually for a particular character of merchandise by individually designing the receptacle baskets 31 as required. The base, support post and framework cage may be identical for a wide variety of merchandise thereby providing further economies in the fabrication of the individual components.

When and if it is desired to disassemble the rack, either for disposal, for storage or for substitution of receptacles designed for other merchandise, the hangers may be disengaged by simply bending the hooks open and removing the receptacles from the frame. The frame may be knocked down by disengaging the telescopic joints in the frame and the support post.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been herein illustrated and described, it is not intended to limit the invention to such disclosure but changes and modifications may be made therein and thereto within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A display rack for merchandise comprising a base having an upstanding support post, a framework mounted on said post for rotation relative to said base. said framework comprising a series of support bars disposed horizontally at a plurality of levels, each level including an interlock bar mounted in spaced parallel relation closely adjacent to said support bar, and at least one merchandise-receiving receptacle mounted on said support bar at each level, said merchandise-receiving receptacle comprising a hanger with upright legs each leg having a bight portion and free end portion extending from said bight portion to form a hook said hooks engaging with the support bar at that level, said legs and hooks being formed of wire capable of being bent by manual pressure and of a diameter less than the spacing between said support bar and said interlock bar said spacing between each said support bar and said interlock bar being less than the length of said free end portion so that the free end portion of said hook may be engaged therebetween and bent into closed or clinched position by pivotal displacement of said receptacle on said support bar.

2. A rack according to claim 1 wherein said hanger comprises a U-shaped element having a transverse stop run extending between said legs at their ends opposite said hooks. said framework including stop means spaced downwardly from said support rod a distance corresponding to the length of said hanger legs to engage said stop run and limit the downward pivotal movement thereof.

3. A rack according to claim 2 wherein said support and interlock bars are mounted at a plurality of levels by means of a vertical spacer rod extending along the height of said framework, said rod including an outwardly offset portion constituting said stop means for registry with said stop run.

4. A rack according to claim 3 wherein said support post is substantially cylindrical in form and said frame is mounted for rotation on said support post by a plurality of vertically-spaced annular support rings rigidly mounted on the frame and surrounding said post, said rack including an axial thrust bearing supported on said base and underlying the lowermost support ring of said frame to vertically support said frame for rotary movement on said base coaxial with said post.

5. A structure according to claim 4 wherein said support and interlock rods are formed into a square outline at each level of said rack, and including four receptacles at each level, one on each side of the square, the width of said receptacles being substantially in excess of the width of the square outline, each of said receptacles projecting beyond the square at one side of the receptacle and aligned with the side of the square at the other side of the receptacle so that the receptacles are nested with each other at each level, the hanger for each receptacle being positioned adjacent said other side thereof to engage with the support rod.

6. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said interlock rod is positioned below said support rod, said hooks being positioned with their free ends lowermost, so that they may be clinched or closed by downward pivotal movement of said receptacle.

Claims

1. A display rack for merchandise comprising a base having an upstanding support post, a framework mounted on said post for rotation relative to said base, said framework comprising a series of support bars disposed horizontally at a plurality of levels, each level including an interlock bar mounted in spaced parallel relation closely adjacent to said support bar, and at least one merchandise-receiving receptacle mounted on said support bar at each level, said merchandisereceiving receptacle comprising a hanger with upright legs each leg having a bight portion and free end portion extending from said bight portion to form a hook said hooks engaging with the support bar at that level, said legs and hooks being formed of wire capable of being bent by manual pressure and of a diameter less than the spacing between said support bar and said interlock bar said spacing between each said support bar and said interlock bar being less than the length of said free end portion so that the free end portion of said hook may be engaged therebetween and bent into closed or clinched position by pivotal displacement of said receptacle on said support bar.

2. A rack according to claim 1 wherein said hanger comprises a U-shaped element having a transverse stop run extending between said legs at their ends opposite said hooks, said framework including stop means spaced downwardly from said support rod a distance corresponding to the length of said hanger legs to engage said stop run and limit the downward pivotal movement thereof.