U.S. patent application number 11/409777 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-28 for display rack.
Invention is credited to Randall G. Postle, Jim Recknagel, Linda L. Rico, Michael Sheridan.
Application Number | 20060289369 11/409777 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37215327 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060289369 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sheridan; Michael ; et
al. |
December 28, 2006 |
Display rack
Abstract
In one embodiment of a ball mount display rack, the rack
includes a panel and an elongated member extending from the panel.
The elongated member includes a first end attached to the panel, a
second end located distal from the panel, an exterior surface, and
an interior surface. The interior surface of the elongated member
is accessible from the second end of the member. The elongated
member is adapted to receive ball mount such that when the ball
mount is received, either a portion of the ball mount is in contact
with at least a portion of the exterior surface or a portion of the
ball mount is in contact with at least a portion of the interior
surface.
Inventors: |
Sheridan; Michael; (Lake
Villa, IL) ; Recknagel; Jim; (Delafield, WI) ;
Rico; Linda L.; (Wonderlake, IL) ; Postle; Randall
G.; (Shawnee, KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CALFEE, HALTER & GRISWOLD LLP
1400 MCDONALD INVESTMENT CENTER
800 SUPERIOR AVENUE
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
37215327 |
Appl. No.: |
11/409777 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60674205 |
Apr 22, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 7/00 20130101; A47F
7/0028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/014 |
International
Class: |
A47F 7/00 20060101
A47F007/00 |
Claims
1. A rack for displaying ball mounts comprising: a. a panel; and b.
an elongated member extending from the panel and comprising: i. a
first end attached to the panel; ii. a second end located distal
from the panel; iii. an exterior surface; and iv. an interior
surface accessible from the second end of the member; wherein the
member is adapted to receive a ball mount such that when the ball
mount is received, either a portion of the ball mount is in contact
with at least a portion of the exterior surface or a portion of the
ball mount is in contact with at least a portion of the interior
surface.
2. The rack of claim 1 wherein the elongated member extends from
the back panel at an incline, such that the second end is
positioned above the first end.
3. The rack of claim 1 wherein the member is a tube.
4. The rack of claim 3 wherein the cross-section of the tube is
generally square.
5. The rack of claim 3 wherein the tube comprises: a. a first wall;
b. a second wall attached to the first wall; c. a third wall
attached to the second wall; and d. a fourth wall attached to the
third wall.
6. The rack of claim 5 wherein the first wall and the fourth wall
are arranged such that the first wall and the fourth wall define a
slot in the tube.
7. The rack of claim 3 further comprising a plurality of tubes.
8. The rack of claim 7 wherein the plurality of tubes includes a
first tube and a second tube and a height and width of the first
tube are greater than a height and width of the second tube.
9. The rack of claim 1 wherein the member defines at least one
aperture.
10. The rack of claim 9 wherein the at least one aperture is
adapted to receive a securing mechanism of a ball mount when the
ball mount is received by the member.
11. The rack of claim 10 wherein the securing mechanism includes a
pin.
12. The rack of claim 1 further including a channeled display panel
adapted to retain information cards.
13. A rack for displaying ball mounts comprising: a. a back panel
comprising: i. a first end; ii. a second end; and iii. a front
surface; b. a first side panel attached to the first end of the
back panel; c. a second side panel attached to the second end of
the back panel; and d. a plurality of tubes, each of the plurality
of tubes comprising: i. a first end attached to the front surface
of the back panel; ii. a second end; iii. an outer surface; and iv.
an inner surface; wherein each of the plurality of tubes is
arranged to receive a sleeve of a ball mount either along the inner
surface of the tube or along the outer surface of the tube.
14. The rack of claim 13 wherein the plurality of tubes is attached
to the back panel such that the second end is positioned above the
first end.
15. The rack of claim 13 wherein the sleeve of the ball mount is
received from the second end of the tube.
16. The rack of claim 13 wherein the rack includes at least one tab
arranged to secure the rack to a generally vertical surface.
17. The rack of claim 16 wherein a first of the at least one tab
extends from the first side panel and a second of the at least one
tab extends from the second side panel.
18. The rack of claim 13 further comprising a top panel attached to
at least one of the back panel, first side panel, or second side
panel.
19. The rack of claim 18 wherein the top panel is arranged such
that the top shelf is generally horizontal when the rack is secured
to a generally vertical surface.
20. The rack of claim 18 further comprising a channeled display
panel arranged to accept information cards and attached to at least
one of the first side panel, second side panel, back panel, or top
panel.
21. A display rack comprising: a. a body including a back wall; b.
a plurality of tubes extending from the back wall, each of the
plurality of tubes comprising: i. a first end attached to the back
wall; ii. a second end located distal from the back wall; iii. an
exterior surface; and iv. an interior surface accessible from the
second end; and c. a ball mount including a sleeve, the sleeve
received by a first of the plurality of tubes.
22. The rack of claim 21 wherein when the sleeve is received by the
first tube, at least a portion of the sleeve is contiguous with the
interior surface.
23. The rack of claim 21 wherein when the sleeve is received by the
first tube, at least a portion of the sleeve is contiguous with the
exterior surface.
24. The rack of claim 21 wherein a cross-section of the first tube
is generally rectangle.
25. The rack of claim 24 wherein a height and width of the first
tube is greater than a height and width of a second of the
plurality of tubes.
26. The rack of claim 21 where the first tube defines a slot
running from the first end to the second end.
27. The rack of claim 21 wherein the ball mount includes a securing
mechanism.
28. The rack of claim 27 wherein the first tube defines an aperture
to receive the securing mechanism.
29. The rack of claim 21 further comprising a channeled panel
arranged to display information cards.
30. The rack of claim 21 wherein when the sleeve is received by the
first tube, the sleeve and the first tube are generally coaxial.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This non-provisional application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/674,205, entitled "Display
Rack," filed Apr. 22, 2005, which is herein incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to display racks and
relates specifically to racks for displaying ball mounts.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] Ball mounts refer to a variety of apparatus that are
designed to connect or attach to vehicles to provide the vehicle
with a mechanism for towing a trailer or other such equipment. Ball
mounts normally include a mechanism for mounting a hitch ball to
the ball mount. Ball mounts are normally constructed or fabricated
from metal and can be heavy and cumbersome for consumers to handle
and evaluate in a retail environment. These limitations are
particularly evident when a hitch ball is secured to a ball
mount.
[0004] There exists a need for apparatus and methods that provide
for conveniently displaying ball mounts in a retail environment to
allow consumers to better compare and gauge the functionality and
usefulness of various ball mounts.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed to racks that display ball
mounts. In one embodiment of a ball mount display rack, the rack
includes a panel and an elongated member extending from the panel.
The elongated member comprises a first end attached to the panel, a
second end located distal from the panel, an exterior surface, and
an interior surface. The interior surface of the elongated member
is accessible from the second end of the member. The elongated
member is adapted to receive a ball mount such that when the ball
mount is received, either a portion of the ball mount is in contact
with at least a portion of the exterior surface of the elongated
member or a portion of the ball mount is in contact with at least a
portion of the interior surface of the elongated member.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0006] In the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, embodiments of the
invention are illustrated, which, together with a general
description of the invention given above, and the detailed
description given below serve to illustrate the principles of this
invention. The drawings and detailed description are not intended
to and do not limit the scope of the invention or the claims in any
way. Instead, the drawings and detailed description only describe
embodiments of the invention and other embodiments of the invention
not described are encompassed by the claims.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display rack arranged in
accordance with the present invention and displaying ball
mounts;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a front view of the display rack of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the display rack of
FIG. 1 shown along the line 2A-2A of FIG. 2;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of the display rack of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a back view of the display rack of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a top view of the display rack of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the display rack of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another display rack
arranged in accordance with the present invention, including two
sets of elongated members, and displaying ball mounts;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a front view of the display rack of FIG. 7;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet another display rack
arranged in accordance with the present invention and including a
slot along the elongated members;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a front view of the display rack of FIG. 9;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of yet another display rack
arranged in accordance with the present invention for the display
of ball mounts equipped with locking mechanisms; and
[0019] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of yet another display rack
arranged in accordance with the present invention, including a slot
along the elongated members, and arranged for the display of ball
mounts equipped with locking mechanisms.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The Detailed Description of the Invention merely describes
preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit
the scope of the claims or specifications in any way. Indeed, the
invention as described by the claims is broader than and unlimited
by the preferred embodiments, and the terms in the claims and
specifications have their full ordinary meaning.
[0021] While the described embodiments herein are presented in the
context of display racks for ball mounts, those skilled in the art
will readily appreciate that the present invention may be used to
display a number of different items. The examples presented in this
specification are intended to illustrate the broad application of
the invention for display racks. The specific design and operation
of the display racks selected provide no limitation on the present
invention.
[0022] An exemplary embodiment of a display rack 10 is shown in
FIGS. 1 through 6. The display rack 10 is designed to hold and
display a variety of ball mounts. Ball mounts generally take the
form of structural members that includes a sleeve portion and a
portion for mounting a hitch ball. The sleeve portion of a ball
mount typically is generally rectangular and hollow and can be
mated with and secured to a cooperatively shaped mating receiver on
a vehicle. Once the ball mount is secured to the vehicle and a
hitch ball is attached to the ball mount, a trailer or other such
equipment can be attached to the hitch ball such that the equipment
may be towed by the vehicle.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, the exemplary embodiment includes a
left side panel 12, a right side panel 14, a back panel 16, and a
series of wire portions 18 joined together to form a top panel 20.
The panels 12, 14, 16, and 20 are coupled together to form a
generally rectangular and rigid structure that may be hung as a
display rack 10. The structure is capable of maintaining its shape
under relatively moderate to heavy loads caused by displaying
objects in the rack 10. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a series of
elongated members 22 extend from the back panel 16. The elongated
members 22 are arranged to support and hold items or objects, such
as retail ball mounts displayed in the rack 10.
[0024] The elongated members 22 are tubes that have generally
thin-walled rectangular cross-sections. Each tube 22 has a first
end 24 that is coupled or otherwise attached to the back panel 16
and a second end 26 that is distal to the back panel 16 and is
generally unencumbered by any attachments or couplings. The tubes
22 can be arranged such that the tubes 22 extend generally
perpendicular to the back panel 16. Alternatively, as best seen in
FIG. 2A, the tubes 22 can be arranged to extend at an inclined
angle .alpha. such that the second ends 26 of the tubes 22 are
relatively higher than the first ends 24 of the tubes 22. Under
certain conditions, the inclined arrangement of the tubes 22 with
respect to the back panel 16 may make it less likely that items or
objects displayed on or in the tubes 22 are unintentionally
removed, knocked off, or otherwise displaced from the tubes 22.
[0025] The exemplary tubes 22 of FIGS. 1 through 6 are hollow and
thin-walled and designed to mate with or otherwise accommodate the
sleeve portion of a ball mount. Each tube 22 includes an outer
surface 28 and an inner surface 30. The inner surface 30 is
accessible from an opening 32 at the second end 26 of the tube 22.
Depending on the cross-sectional size of a ball mount, a ball mount
sleeve may either slide inside a tube 22 or slide over a tube
22.
[0026] As seen in FIG. 1, a first ball mount 34 can include a
sleeve portion 36 with a relatively small cross-section that is
accommodated by a tube 22 when the sleeve portion 36 is slid into
the tube 22. This arrangement places a portion of the ball mount 34
in contact with a portion of the inner surface 30 of the tube 22. A
second ball mount 38 can include a sleeve portion 40 with a
relatively large cross-section that is accommodated by the tube 22
when the sleeve portion 40 is slid over the tube 22. This places a
portion of the ball mount 38 in contact a portion of the outer
surface 28 of the tube 22. As described above and illustrated in
FIG. 1, a hollow, thin-walled construction of a tube 22 allows the
tube 22 to accommodate multiple ball mount 34 and 38.
[0027] As best seen in FIG. 3, the side panels 12 and 14 can be
equipped with a series of hooks 42. Such hooks 42 can be used, for
example, to mount the display rack 10 directly into preformed holes
in a wall or onto a track (not shown) that can be either free
standing or attached to a wall. Hooks 42 allow for efficient
exchanging, relocating, and mounting of the display rack 10.
Although the exemplary embodiment illustrates and discusses hooks
as a method of securing the display rack 10, it should be
understood that any method of securing a display rack is included
in this invention. For example, a display rack can be integrated
into a cabinet, stand or other such support structure, or a display
rack can include a series of apertures through which fasteners are
passed to secure the display rack to a wall, rail system or other
vertical surface.
[0028] As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display rack 10 can also
be equipped with a channeled display panel 44 running generally
horizontally and perpendicularly to the top panel 20. The channeled
display panel 44 can be designed and fabricated to hold information
regarding objects, items, or products for sale displayed in the
display rack 10. For example, information cards (not shown)
including universal product code (UPC) labels, or any other
information that may be useful for a consumer, may be displayed in
the channeled display panel 44. In the exemplary embodiment, the
display panel 44 includes an upper horizontal portion 46 and a
lower horizontal portion 48 bent inward to form a track into which
an information card, for example, can be inserted. Once inserted, a
card with product information can be horizontally positioned above
the corresponding product in the display rack 10.
[0029] The channeled display panel 44 together with the top panel
20 can form a shelf 50 for storing or displaying additional items.
The channeled display panel 44 can be secured to the top 20 and
side 12 and 14 panels in such a manner that the channeled display
panel 44 forms a vertical barrier that may restrain items from
rolling or falling off the front of the shelf 50. The side panels
12 and 14 can be attached to the top panel 20 such that portions of
the side panels 12 and 14 form vertical barriers to restrain
objects from falling from the sides of the shelf 50. The wire
sections 18 that comprise the top panel 20 can include bent
portions 52 at the rear of the top panel 20 to form another
vertical barrier to restrain objects from falling from the back of
the shelf 50.
[0030] Although the top panel 20 is illustrated as a series of
joined wire sections 18, one skilled in the art will recognize that
the top panel 20 can be fabricated in a variety of ways and from a
variety of materials. For example, a top panel can be constructed
from a solid metal sheet similar to the side 12 and 14 and back 16
panels; from a wood based product, such as particle board; or from
a polymeric material capable of providing the necessary structural
integrity.
[0031] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of a display
rack 60 in accordance with the present invention. This embodiment
includes two sets or series of elongated members or tubes extending
from the back panel 16. Both sets of tubes 62 and 64 are identical,
with the exception of certain physical dimensions. A first set of
tubes 62 have a cross-section that has a smaller height and width
than a second set of tubes 64. The length of the first set of tubes
62 is generally equal to the length of the second set of tubes 64.
As will be discussed, the difference in cross-sectional size of the
two sets of tubes 62 and 64 allows the display rack 60 to
accommodate and hold a relatively large number of different sized
items or objects. The purpose of varying dimensions of tubes 62 and
64 is to provide flexibility and variety in the types of products
that can be displayed in a rack 60.
[0032] Similar to the embodiment described above and illustrated in
FIGS. 1 through 6, both sets of tubes 62 and 64 have generally
rectangular cross-sections. Each tube 62 and 64 has a first end 66
and 68, respectively, which is coupled to the back panel 16 and a
second end 70 and 72, respectively, which is distal to the back
panel 16 and terminates in free space. The tubes 62 and 64 can be
arranged to extend perpendicularly from the back panel 16 or
arranged to extend from the back panel 16 at an incline.
[0033] In the exemplary illustration of FIGS. 7 and 8, the smaller
tubes 62 are fabricated from #16 gage metal and have internal
widths and heights of approximately 1.31 inches. The external
height and width are each approximately 1.43 inches. With such
dimensions, the small tubes 62 can accommodate a class 3 ball mount
74 when the sleeve 76 of the ball mount 74 is slid over the tube
62. Such a class 3 ball mount sleeve 76 typically has an internal
width and internal height of approximately 1.50 inches. The small
tube 62 can also accommodate a class 2 ball mount 78 when the
sleeve 80 of the ball mount 78 is slid inside the tube 62. A class
2 ball mount sleeve 80 typically has an outer height and width of
approximately 1.25 inches. The larger tubes 64 can serve a similar
function for larger ball mounts. The dimensions as described are
merely exemplary and the invention is not limited in any way to
such dimensions. Any suitable dimensions that permit embodiments of
the invention to operate as described herein are within the scope
of the invention.
[0034] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of the channeled
display panel 82. In this exemplary embodiment, the channeled
display panel 82 includes a pair of channels, an upper channel 84
and a lower channel 86. Both channels 84 and 86 run horizontally
and parallel to the top panel 20. The inclusion of two channels 84
and 86 can increase the amount of information presented above
objects, items, or products displayed in the rack 60. Any number of
channels can be used in the practice of the present invention.
[0035] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate yet another embodiment of a
display rack 90 arranged in accordance with the present invention.
Similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the rack 90
includes a set or series of small tubes 92 and a set or series of
large tubes 94. In this embodiment each tube 92 and 94 includes a
longitudinal slot 96 and 98, respectively. The slots 96 in the
small tubes 92 are defined by two approximately parallel surfaces
100 and 102 running longitudinally along the tube 92. The slots 98
in the large tubes 94 are defined by two approximately parallel
surfaces 104 and 106 running longitudinally along the tube 94. The
longitudinal slots 96 and 98 can be dimensioned to accommodate
features of ball mount that may interfere with a tube that includes
a solid cross-section. The longitudinal slots 92 and 94 extending
along a tube 92 and 94 can be designed and dimensioned to
accommodate specific features on ball mounts. For example, ball
mounts can include portions of a locking mechanism that can be
accommodate by the slots 96 and 98. Although the tubes 92 and 94
are illustrated with longitudinal slots 96 and 98 running along a
corner of a rectangular tube 92 and 94, this arrangement is
exemplary only. A slot or any other opening can be incorporated
into a tube to accommodate unique features of ball mounts to be
displayed on a display rack. The slots 96 and 98 also allow for
other manufacturing techniques for the tubes 92 and 94 as compared
to tubes with a complete cross-section.
[0036] Yet another embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 11. In this
embodiment, a rack 110 includes a set of small tubes 112 and a set
of large tubes 114. Each tube 112 and 114 include a pair of
apertures 116 though the vertical walls of the tubes 112 and 114.
The tubes 112 and 114 and apertures 116 are designed to accommodate
ball mounts with locking mechanisms. One example of such a ball
mount is the integral locking coupler disclosed in U.S. published
application 2004/0240934A1, filed on May 28, 2004, incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety. Ball mounts of this type may have
locking mechanisms which generally incorporate a pair of engagement
pins in the ball mount sleeve to mate with apertures in a receiver.
This mating can secure the ball mount sleeve to the receiver, and
thus, secure the ball mount to a vehicle. The apertures 116 in the
tubes 112 and 114 can be designed to simulate the apertures in a
receiver attached to a vehicle. This arrangement allows and
moreover invites the consumer to experiment with the engagement and
locking mechanisms on a tube 112 and 114 in a display rack 110 in
the retail location. The illustration of FIG. 11 is designed
specifically for the integral locking coupler disclosed in U.S.
published application 2004/0240934A1; however, the tube can be
designed to accommodate any ball mount with a locking mechanism,
allowing a consumer to test and experiment with the locking
mechanism of any ball mount.
[0037] FIG. 12 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention.
In this embodiment a display rack 120 includes two sets of tubes
122 and 124. Each of the tubes 122 and 124 includes a longitudinal
slot 126 and a pair of apertures 128. This arrangement allows for
the accommodation of a large variety of ball mounts. Including ball
mounts of different cross-sectional sizes, ball mounts with locking
mechanisms, and ball mounts with unique features to be accommodated
by the longitudinal slot.
[0038] While various aspects of the invention are described and
illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary
embodiments, these various aspects may be realized in many
alternative embodiments, either individually or in various
combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly
excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are
intended to be within the scope of the present invention. Still
further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various
aspects and features of the invention, such as alternative
materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices, and so on
may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a
complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments,
whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the
art may readily adopt one or more of the aspects, concepts or
features of the invention into additional embodiments within the
scope of the present invention even if such embodiments are not
expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some
features, concepts or aspects of the invention may be described
herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description
is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or
necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or
representative values and ranges may be included to assist in
understanding the present invention however, such values and ranges
are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be
critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated
* * * * *