U.S. patent application number 11/433828 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-07 for modular display rack.
Invention is credited to Lance D. Perrin, Michael Smits.
Application Number | 20060273056 11/433828 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37450502 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060273056 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smits; Michael ; et
al. |
December 7, 2006 |
Modular display rack
Abstract
The display rack of the present invention includes a main frame,
at least two shelf receiving portions, a plurality of shelves and
at least one basket, peg hook basket or reel assembly. The main
frame has a back portion and side portions. Each shelf receiving
portion is attached to the main frame and has a plurality of
generally vertically spaced apart shelf receiving apertures formed
therein. Each shelf has spaced apart shelf fingers adapted to be
received in the shelf receiving apertures. The plurality of shelves
is chosen from the group consisting of shelf basket racks and shelf
reel racks. In another aspect of the invention there is provided a
web basket for use in association with hanging products. The web
basket includes a hook portion, a basket portion and a means for
attaching the basket to a shelf. The basket portion is spaced below
the hook portion.
Inventors: |
Smits; Michael; (Toronto,
CA) ; Perrin; Lance D.; (Proton Station, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ralph A. Dowell of DOWELL & DOWELL P.C.
2111 Eisenhower Ave
Suite 406
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
37450502 |
Appl. No.: |
11/433828 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60680486 |
May 13, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/189 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/189 |
International
Class: |
A47B 47/00 20060101
A47B047/00 |
Claims
1. A modular display rack for use in association with products
comprises: a main frame having a back portion and side portions; at
least two shelf receiving portions having a plurality of generally
vertically spaced apart shelf receiving apertures formed therein,
each shelf receiving portion being attached to the main frame; a
plurality of shelves having spaced apart shelf fingers adapted to
be received in the shelf receiving apertures and wherein the
plurality of shelves are chosen from a group consisting of shelf
basket racks and shelf reel racks; and a plurality of at least one
device chosen from a group consisting of baskets, peg hook baskets
and reel assemblies.
2. A modular display rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shelves
include at least one shelf basket rack and at least one shelf reel
rack and the modular display rack comprises a plurality of baskets,
a plurality of peg hook baskets and a plurality of reel
assemblies.
3. A modular display rack as claimed in claim 2 wherein the shelf
basket rack includes a pair of shelf side portions with a front
rail and a back rail extending therebetween.
4. A modular display rack as claimed in claim 3 wherein the back
rail has a plurality of spaced apart basket apertures and wherein
each basket has at least a pair of basket fingers adapted to be
engaged in the basket apertures.
5. A modular display rack as claimed in claim 4 wherein the spaced
apart basket apertures have a predetermined spacing and the spacing
of the basket fingers is a multiple of the predetermined spacing
between the basket apertures.
6. A modular display rack as claimed in claim 5 wherein the
plurality of baskets are chosen from a group consisting of large,
medium and small baskets.
7. A modular display rack as claimed in claim 6 wherein each basket
includes a face plate for receiving signage.
8. A modular display rack as claimed in claim 3 wherein each peg
hook basket has a back hook adapted to hook onto the back rail of
the shelf basket rack and a front stopper adapted to engage the
front rail of the shelf basket rack.
9. A modular display rack as claimed in claim 8 wherein the peg
hook basket has a hook portion spaced above a basket portion.
10. A modular display rack as claimed in claim 9 wherein the basket
portion further includes a face plate.
11. A modular display rack as claimed in claim 1 further including
a header module attachable to the top of the main frame.
12. A modular display rack as claimed in claim 11 further including
a foot module attachable to the bottom of the main frame.
13. A modular display rack as claimed in claim 2 wherein the shelf
reel rack includes a pair of shelf side portions with a reel rail
extending therebetween and each reel assembly includes a right reel
and a left reel assembly, each attachable to the reel rail.
14. A modular display rack as claimed in claim 13 wherein each reel
assembly includes a hook portion, a shaft portion and a stopper
portion whereby the hook portion is hooked over the reel rail and
the shaft portion is positioned in a bulk reel.
15. A modular display rack as claimed in claim 14 further including
a reel signage portion attachable to the main frame.
16. A modular display rack as claimed in claim 15 wherein the reel
signage portion includes a plurality of sliding face plates and a
plurality of grommets.
17. An open web basket for use in association with hanging products
comprising: a hook portion; a basket portion spaced below the hook
portion; and a means for attaching the basket to a shelf.
18. An open web basket as claimed in claim 17 further including a
face plate attached to the basket portion.
19. An open web basket as claimed in claim 18 wherein the attaching
means includes a back hook attachable to a back rail of the shelf
and a front stopper engagable with a front rail of the shelf.
20. A reel assembly for use with a display rack having a reel rail
and for hanging reeled product comprising: a right reel assembly
attachable to the reel rail, a left reel assembly attachable to the
reel rail, and wherein the right reel assembly and the left reel
assembly is rotatably attachable to the reeled product on each side
thereof.
21. A reel assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein each reel
assembly includes a hook portion, a shaft portion and a stopper
portion whereby the hook portion is hooked over the reel rail and
the shaft portion is positioned in the reeled product.
22. A reel assembly as claimed in claim 21 further including a reel
signage portion attachable to the display rack.
23. A reel assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein the reel signage
portion includes a plurality of sliding face plates and a plurality
of grommets.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application relates to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/680,486 filed on May 13, 2005 entitled
Modular Display Rack which is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to display racks and in particular
modular display racks for use in association with reeled products,
hanging products and other hardware products.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is well known that in retail establishments there is an
ongoing challenge to display a variety of different products in a
system that is easy to use and will accommodate a wide variety of
products. Prior art display racks tend to be designed for use with
products of similar sizes. As well, the prior art display racks
tend to be for use with only one type of shelving.
[0004] An example of a prior art display rack is found in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,669,037 issued Dec. 30, 2003 to Ahn. This patent shows a
modular display rack which includes a triple ladder type
configuration with each ladder having a support base pivotally
attached thereto. A variety of different type of brackets and
shelves may be attached between the ladders. However, the type of
brackets and shelves used is limited to those that can be attached
between the ladders. U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,484 issued May 4, 2004 to
Sparkowski is another example of multi-position display racks. This
display rack has adjustable shelves but the width of each shelf is
determined by the spacing between the upright supports. Therefore
although it provides some adjustability there are severe
limitations in the type of adjustments that are available. Many of
the existing prior art racks are essentially single purpose racks
that have a specific application. An example of this is shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,355 issued Jul. 6, 2004 to Zidek. This rack
includes a base with an upright that supports a crosspiece. One or
more shelves are attached to the crosspiece. This support is
limited to a specific purpose and type of shelf and cannot be
easily adjusted for use with a variety of types of shelves and for
use with a variety of products.
[0005] Accordingly it would be advantageous to provide a display
rack that can be used with products of a variety of different
sizes. Further it would be advantageous to provide a display rack
that could be used with products in boxes as well as on reels. In
addition it would be useful to provide a display rack that could
also be used with products that are in packages but hangs on hooks.
Still further it would advantageous if such a display was modular
and thus the size could change as needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention is directed to a modular display rack for use
in association with products. The display rack includes a main
frame, at least two shelf receiving portions, a plurality of
shelves and/or at least one basket, peg hook basket and/or reel
assembly. The main frame has a back portion and side portions. Each
shelf receiving portion is attached to the main frame and has a
plurality of generally vertically spaced apart shelf receiving
apertures formed therein. Each shelf has spaced apart shelf fingers
adapted to be received in the shelf receiving apertures. The
plurality of shelves are chosen from the group consisting of shelf
basket racks and shelf reel racks.
[0007] In another aspect of the invention there is provided a web
basket for use in association with hanging products. The web basket
includes a hook portion, a basket portion and a means for attaching
the basket to a shelf. The basket portion is spaced below the hook
portion.
[0008] Further features of the invention will be described or will
become apparent in the course of the following detailed
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention will now be described by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the display rack of the
present invention shown with stock therein;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the display rack similar to
that shown in FIG. 1 but showing the display rack empty;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main frame of the
display rack of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a top view of the main frame of FIG. 3;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a front view of the main frame of FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side view of the main frame of FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the header module of the
display rack of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the foot module of the
display rack of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the shelf basket rack of the
display rack of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the shallow shelf reel rack
of the display rack of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 11 is perspective view of the deep shelf reel rack of
the display rack of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the large basket of the
display rack of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 13 is perspective view of the medium basket of the
display rack of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 14 is perspective view of the small basket of the
display rack of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the peg hook basket of the
display rack of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a side view of the peg hook basket of FIG.
15;
[0026] FIG. 17 is a front view of the peg hook basket of FIG.
15;
[0027] FIG. 18 is a top view of the peg hook basket of FIG. 15;
[0028] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the right and left reel
assembly of the display rack of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the display rack of the present
invention is shown generally at 10. The display rack 10 includes a
main frame 12, a header module 14, a foot module 16, and a
plurality of different and interchangeable shelf racks and baskets
and reels that are attached thereto.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, the main frame 12 includes a back
portion 18 and side portions 20. The width of the each portion may
vary depending on the needs of the retail establishment. Further
the number of sections that are used may vary depending on the
particular use. Each back portion 18 has a left back support 22 and
a right back support 24. In addition, if required there is also a
middle back support 26. The left and right back supports 22 and 24
each include one elongate shelf receiving portion 28 and the middle
back support 26 has two shelf receiving portions 28. Shelf
receiving portions 28 are generally vertical and have a plurality
of spaced apart shelf apertures 30. The back portion 18 and side
portions 20 are made from generally square tubular hollow members.
Legs 34 that extend downwardly from the back and side portions, 18
and 20. The legs 34 have slightly smaller dimensions than those of
the back and side portions so that they can snugly fit into the
square tubular hollow sections and allow for stacking as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 where a tall section 38 is fit into a short section
36. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art the main
frame 12 can be easily assembled and the configuration of the main
frame 12 can be readily changed.
[0031] Preferably, the main frame 12 will be in 4 foot linear
segments and can increase in height by factors of two feet.
Specifically the tall sections 38 are 4 feet tall and the short
sections 36 are 2 feet tall.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the display rack 12 may
include a header module 14. The header module 14 includes an
inclined portion 40 that is outwardly from the main frame 12. The
header module 14 has header legs 42 that fit into the front tubular
square hollow sections of the side portions 20. The inclined
portion 40 is particularly suited for signage.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, the display rack 12 may
include a foot module 16. The foot module 16 has a base portion 44
and a leg receiving portion 48. The legs 34 of the main frame 12
are received in the leg receiving portions 48 as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2.
[0034] A plurality of different and interchangeable shelf racks and
baskets and reels are attachable to the main frame 12. Shelf basket
rack is shown generally at 50 in FIG. 9. Shelf basket rack 50 has a
shelf side portion 52 with a plurality of support fingers 54.
Support fingers 54 are received in the shelf receiving portions 28.
Extending between the shelf side portions 52 are a front rail 56
and a back rail 58. Back rail 58 has a plurality of spaced apart
basket apertures 60. Shelf basket rack 50 is for use with baskets
of various width, small 62, medium, 64 and large 66 baskets, as
well as peg hook basket 68 (shown in FIGS. 14, 13, 12 and 15,
respectively are by way of example only). It will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that the spacing between the basket
fingers 88 is a multiple of the spacing between the basket
apertures 60 as is described in more detail below. Thus the width
of the baskets may vary as require by the user. Shelf basket rack
50 is angled downwardly as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 so that
product will be positioned snugly up against the front of the
baskets. Shallow shelf reel rack 70 and deep reel rack 72 shown in
FIGS. 10 and 11 respectively are similar to shelf basket rack 50.
Each rack has shelf side portions 52 and a plurality of support
fingers 54. Each rack has a reel rail 74 extending between shelf
side portions 52. Reel rail 74 has slightly larger dimensions than
front rail 56 and reel rail 74 is for use with right 76 and left
reel 78 assembly shown in FIG. 19. Reeled assembly may be used with
a wide variety of reeled products such as chain, electrical wire,
cabling and rope.
[0035] Large 66, medium 64 and small 62 baskets are shown in FIGS.
12, 13 and 14 respectively. Each basket is a generally open wire
basket with a bottom portion 80 and side portions 82. The bottom
portion 80 is generally U-shaped with a front lip 84. The side
portions 82 are generally rectangular with bent sides. A face plate
86 is attached to the front lip 84 and signage 86 may be attached
thereto. The bottom portion 80 has basket finger 88 on each side
thereof for engaging the basket apertures 60.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 15 to 18, peg hook basket 68 is an open
wire basket which includes a hook portion 90 and a basket portion
92. Hook potion 90 is spaced above the basket portion 92 and is for
use with hanging products. Hook portion 90 has a front lip 94 to
reduce the likelihood of the product sliding off. Signage 96 may be
attached to the front of the basket portion 92. Peg hook baskets 68
are attached to the shelf basket rack 50 with a back hook 98 and a
front stopper 100.
[0037] Right 76 and left reel 78 assemblies are shown in FIG. 19.
Each reel assembly includes a hook portion 102, a shaft portion 104
and a stopper 106. In position bulk reeled material is positioned
over the left and right reel assembly and hung over reel rail 74 of
either shallow 70 or deep 72 shelf reel racks. A reel signage
portion 105 may be attached to the front of the display rack 10 as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Signage portion 106 may include sliding
face plates 108 and grommets 110 for keeping the end of the tidy
while on display.
[0038] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
plurality of shelf apertures 30 have a predetermined spacing
therebetween. The support fingers 54 have the same spacing
therebetween. Thus the positioning of the shelf may vary along the
shelf receiving portion as determined by the user. Similarly the
plurality of basket apertures 60 have predetermined spacing
therebetween and the spacing between the basket fingers 88 is a
multiple of the spacing between the basket apertures 60. Thus a
wide variety of sizes of baskets may be used.
[0039] There are a number of advantages of the display rack 10 of
the present invention. Specifically, the shelf basket rack 50 and
the shallow 70 and deep 72 shelf reel racks may be hooked into the
main frame 12 at any height. The shelf basket racks 50 are angled
to allow product to gravity feed to the front of the shelf. Peg
hook baskets 68 allow the hung pegged product to be gravity fed.
Product is neatly held in line by lower basket portion 92 and
minimizes the chance of the hung product from being pushed out of
line. Shelf basket face plate 86 is generally vertical for ease of
reading. The header portion 14 keeps signage tight to the rack for
ease of shopping. Sliding face plate 108 with grommet 110 keeps
ends of reeled product neat. Individual left 78 and right 76 bulk
reel holders allow reels to be changed individually since there is
no common axle for two or more reels. The display rack 10 of the
present invention will fit in warehouse store format (i.e. Home
Depot) and gondola store format (i.e. Fred Meyer).
[0040] As used herein, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" are
to be construed as being inclusive and opened rather than
exclusive. Specifically, when used in this specification including
the claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations
thereof mean that the specified features, steps or components are
included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the
presence of other features, steps or components.
[0041] It will be appreciated that the above description is related
to the invention by way of example only. Many variations on the
invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and such
obvious variations are within the scope of the invention as
described herein whether or not expressly described.
* * * * *