U.S. patent application number 11/384641 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-20 for ribbon rack and method of supplying ribbon.
Invention is credited to Lisa Hill, Wayne Shen.
Application Number | 20070215566 11/384641 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38516690 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070215566 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shen; Wayne ; et
al. |
September 20, 2007 |
Ribbon rack and method of supplying ribbon
Abstract
A ribbon rack for housing a supply of ribbon and method of
supplying ribbon stored in cylindrical rolls is provided. A ribbon
rack is formed from a rigid wire frame having an upper end, a lower
end, a forward end, a rearward end and opposite sides located
between said ends. A tray support is provided with the wire frame.
A ribbon tray has a floor and longitudinal dividers projecting
upward from the floor that define channels. Each channel receives a
longitudinal row of ribbon rolls. The tray is carried by the tray
support of the wire frame so that the floor is sloped to facilitate
feeding of ribbon rolls loaded within the channels toward the
forward end of the wire frame when the tray is carried by the tray
support. When a roll of ribbon is removed from one of the channels
from the forward end of the frame, any remaining rolls of ribbon is
allowed to advance within the channel toward the forward end of the
frame.
Inventors: |
Shen; Wayne; (Hong Kong,
HK) ; Hill; Lisa; (Tyler, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GRADY K. BERGEN
3333 LEE PARKWAY
SUITE 600
DALLAS
TX
75219
US
|
Family ID: |
38516690 |
Appl. No.: |
11/384641 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/85.5 ;
211/85.31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/01 20130101; A47F
7/005 20130101; A47F 5/083 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/085.5 ;
211/085.31 |
International
Class: |
A47F 7/00 20060101
A47F007/00 |
Claims
1. A ribbon rack for housing a supply of lengths of ribbon stored
in cylindrical rolls, the rack comprising: a rigid wire frame
having an upper end, a lower end, a forward end, a rearward end and
opposite sides located between said ends; a tray support provided
with the wire frame; and a ribbon tray having a floor and
longitudinal dividers projecting upward from the floor to define
channels, each channel receiving a longitudinal row of ribbon
rolls, the tray carried by the tray support of the wire frame so
that the floor is sloped to facilitate feeding of ribbon rolls
toward the forward end of the wire frame when the tray is carried
by the tray support.
2. The rack of claim 1, further comprising: a seating prong that
projects from one of the upper or lower ends of the rigid wire
frame; a seating prong aperture located on the other of said one of
the upper or lower ends of the rigid wire frame, the seating prong
aperture being configured to closely receive the seating prong of a
similarly configured rack.
3. The rack of claim 2, wherein: the seating prong is formed from a
non-linear length of rigid wire.
4. The rack of claim 2, wherein: the seating prong aperture is
formed from an opening in the rigid wire frame.
5. The rack of claim 1, further comprising: a swatch display
coupled to the frame to facilitate identification of ribbon stored
in rolls housed within the rack.
6. The rack of claim 1, wherein: the forward end of the wire frame
is inclined rearward towards the upper end of the frame.
7. The rack of claim 2, wherein: the seating prong projects from a
corner of the wire frame.
8. The rack of claim 1, wherein: there are at least two tray
supports, one positioned over the other, with a tray carried by
each tray support.
9. The rack of claim 1, wherein: the frame is provided with at
least one hanger assembly that selectively mounts to the wire frame
for suspending items from the hanger assembly.
10. A method of supplying ribbon stored in rolls comprising:
providing at least one ribbon rack, the ribbon rack including: (a)
a rigid wire frame having an upper end, a lower end, a forward end,
a rearward end and opposite sides located between said ends; (b) a
tray support provided with the wire frame; and (c) a ribbon tray
having a floor and longitudinal dividers projecting upward from the
floor that define channels, each channel receiving a row of ribbon
rolls, the ribbon tray carried by the tray support of the wire
frame so that the floor is sloped downward toward the forward end
of the wire frame when the ribbon tray is carried by the tray
support; loading ribbon rolls within the channels of the ribbon
tray so that rolls of ribbon are fed toward the forward end of the
frame; removing at least one roll of ribbon from at least one of
the channels from the forward end of the frame; and allowing any
remaining rolls of ribbon within said at least one of the channels
to advance within the channel toward the forward end of the
frame.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: providing a first
ribbon rack with a seating prong that projects from one of the
upper or lower ends of the rigid wire frame and a second ribbon
rack with a seating prong aperture located on another corresponding
upper or lower ends of the rigid wire frame, the seating prong
aperture being configured to closely receive the seating prong; and
positioning the first and second ribbon racks in a stacked
configuration so that the seating prong is received within the
seating prong aperture.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein: the seating prong is formed
from a non-linear length of rigid wire.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein: the seating prong aperture is
formed from an opening in the rigid wire frame.
14. The method of claim 10, further comprising: providing a swatch
display coupled to the frame to facilitate identification of ribbon
housed within the rack.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein: the forward end of the wire
frame is inclined rearward towards the upper end of the frame.
16. The method of claim 11; wherein: the seating prong projects
from a corner of the wire frame.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein: there are at least two tray
supports of the ribbon rack, one positioned over the other, with a
tray carried by each tray support.
18. The method of claim 10, wherein: the frame is provided with at
least one hanger assembly that selectively mounts to the wire frame
for suspending items from the hanger assembly.
19. A method of providing ribbon from a supplier to a seller of
said ribbon comprising: having the supplier provide at least one
preloaded ribbon rack, the ribbon rack including: (a) a rigid wire
frame having an upper end, a lower end, a forward end, a rearward
end and opposite sides located between said ends; (b) a tray
support provided with the wire frame; and (c) a ribbon tray having
a floor and longitudinal dividers projecting upward from the floor
that define channels, each channel receiving a row of ribbon rolls,
the ribbon tray carried by the tray support of the wire frame so
that the floor is sloped downward toward the forward end of the
wire frame when the ribbon tray is carried by the tray support; and
wherein ribbon rolls are loaded within the channels of the ribbon
tray so that rolls of ribbon are fed toward the forward end of the
frame; providing the preloaded ribbon rack to the seller for
display and purchase by customers; having customers remove at least
one roll of ribbon from at least one of the channels from the
forward end of the frame; and allowing any remaining rolls of
ribbon within said at least one of the channels to advance within
the channel toward the forward end of the frame.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein: having the supplier provide at
least one ribbon rack includes providing a first ribbon rack with a
seating prong that projects from one of the upper or lower ends of
the rigid wire frame and a second ribbon rack with a seating prong
aperture located on another corresponding upper or lower ends of
the rigid wire frame, the seating prong aperture being configured
to closely receive the seating prong; and wherein providing the
preloaded ribbon rack to the seller for display and purchase by
customers includes preloading both the first and second ribbon
racks and stacking the ribbon racks in a configuration so that the
seating prong is received within the seating prong aperture.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein: the seating prong is formed
from a non-linear length of rigid wire.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein: the seating prong aperture is
formed from an opening in the rigid wire frame.
23. The method of claim 19, further comprising: providing the
preloaded ribbon rack to the seller for display and purchase by
customers includes providing a swatch display coupled to the frame
to facilitate identification of ribbon housed within the rack.
24. The method of claim 19, wherein: the forward end of the wire
frame is inclined rearward towards the upper end of the frame.
25. A ribbon rack for housing a supply of lengths of ribbon stored
in cylindrical rolls, the rack comprising: a rigid wire frame
having an upper end, a lower end, a forward end, a rearward end and
opposite sides located between said ends; at least two tray
supports, one positioned over the other, provided with the wire
frame; at least two ribbon trays, each ribbon tray having a floor
and longitudinal dividers projecting upward from the floor to
define channels, each channel receiving a longitudinal row of
ribbon rolls, the tray carried by the tray support of the wire
frame so that the floor is sloped to facilitate feeding of ribbon
rolls toward the forward end of the wire frame when the tray is
carried by the tray support; and at least one hanger assembly that
selectively mounts to the wire frame for suspending items from the
hanger assembly.
26. The ribbon rack of claim 25, wherein: the rearward end of the
wire frame is provided with a plurality of hanger receiving areas
located at various positions at the rearward end so that the at
least one hanger assembly can be selectively located at the various
positions.
27. The ribbon rack of claim 26, wherein: the hanger receiving area
is a wire lattice structure.
28. The ribbon rack of claim 25, wherein: the wire portions of the
wire frame forming the upper and lower ends are squared.
29. The ribbon rack of claim 25, wherein: there are a plurality of
the hanger assemblies.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The invention relates generally to devices for displaying
and supplying materials and methods of displaying and supplying
materials.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in
conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which:
[0003] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ribbon rack, shown loaded
with rolls of ribbon;
[0004] FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view of the ribbon rack
of FIG. 1;
[0005] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the ribbon rack of
FIG. 1;
[0006] FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the ribbon rack of FIG.
1;
[0007] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the ribbon rack of FIG.
1;
[0008] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the ribbon rack of FIG. 1,
shown with a tray of the rack exploded away;
[0009] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of three ribbon racks, similar
to those of FIG. 1, arranged in a stacked arrangement, shown with
the uppermost stacked ribbon rack exploded away.
[0010] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of
a ribbon rack, shown with hanger assemblies;
[0011] FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the ribbon rack of FIG.
8;
[0012] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a hanthe ribbon rack
of FIG. 8, showing a hanger receiving area of the ribbon rack of
FIG. 8; and
[0013] FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the ribbon rack of FIG.
8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, a rack 10 for housing a supply of
ribbon 12 is shown. The rack 10 may be formed from a rigid wire
frame 14. The frame 14 may be formed from one or more lengths of
rigid wire members that are joined together, such as by welding or
by the use of mechanical or other suitable fasteners.
[0015] In the embodiment shown, an upper end or upper panel of the
frame 14 may be formed from longitudinal wire members 16, 18, (FIG.
1). The members 16, 18 are laterally spaced apart and joined
together by four transverse wire members 20, 22, 24, 26. The
transverse wire members 20, 22, 24, 26 are each longitudinally
spaced from one another along the length of the upper end.
[0016] A lower end or lower panel (FIG. 2) of the frame 14 may be
formed from longitudinal wire members 28, 30, which are laterally
spaced apart and joined together by transverse wire members 32, 34,
36, 38, 39, 40. The transverse wire members 32, 34, 36, 38, 39, 40
are each longitudinally spaced apart from one another along the
length of the lower end. In the embodiment shown, the lower end of
the frame 14 has a length greater than that of the upper end and
projects forward a distance from the upper end, as is shown in FIG.
6 and discussed later on.
[0017] A rear end or rear panel of the frame 14 (FIG. 3) is formed
from the rearmost upper and lower transverse members 20, 30,
respectively. These are joined together by upright left and right
side members 42, 44 and upright center member 46. Brace members 48,
50 are each joined at their lower ends to lower transverse member
30, adjacent to the center member 46, and extend outward to
opposite upper corners 52, 54.
[0018] An intermediate rear transverse member 55 may be positioned
between members 20, 30 and extend across the width of the frame 14
and be joined at the ends to members 42, 44. Brace members 48, 50
and upright member 46 may be joined to the transverse member 55 by
welding or other fastening means.
[0019] A front end or front panel (FIG. 4) of the frame 14 is
formed from the forward transverse member 40, forward side members
56, 58, transverse member 60 and transverse member 26. The side
members 56, 58 may each be inclined generally rearward towards the
upper end of the frame 14. In the embodiment shown, an upper
portion 62 of the forward end is defined by side members 56, 58 and
transverse members 26, 60. A lower portion 64 of the forward end of
the frame 14 is defined by side members 56, 58 and transverse
members 40, 60. The upper portion 62 is inclined rearward towards
the upper end of the frame 14, with the lower portion 64 being
non-inclined rearward. An opening is provided in the upper portion
62 between side members 56, 58 and transverse members 26, 60.
[0020] Opposite left and right sides or side panels of the frame 14
may each be configured similarly. In the embodiment shown, the left
side of the frame 14 is defined by upper and lower longitudinal
members 16, 28, front and rear side members 58, 44, and upright
side wire members 66, 68, 70. The upright side members 66, 68, 70
are joined at the ends to upper and lower longitudinal members 16,
28. The right side of the frame 14 (FIG. 5) is defined by upper and
lower longitudinal members 18, 30, front and rear side members 56,
42, and upright side wire members 72, 74, 76. The upright side
members 72, 74, 76 are joined at the ends to the upper and lower
longitudinal members 18, 30. The side members 66, 72 may be aligned
in the same plane as transverse members 22, 34. Likewise, the side
members 68, 76 may be aligned in the same plane with the transverse
members 24, 36, and side members 70, 76 may be aligned in the same
plane as the transverse members 26, 38.
[0021] The frame 14 may also include intermediate longitudinal
members 78 and 80 that extend between and are joined to front and
rear side members 58, 44 and 56, 42, respectively. The longitudinal
members 78, 80 may be sloped downward towards the forward end of
the frame 14, with the rearward ends of the members 78, 80
terminating generally near or at the rear cross member 55 and the
forward ends of the members 78, 80 terminating near or at the
forward cross member 60, as shown in FIG. 6. The upright members
66, 68, 70 and 72, 74, 76 may also be joined by welding or other
fastening means to the longitudinal side members 78, 80,
respectively.
[0022] A ribbon tray support of the frame 14 is formed from
longitudinally spaced apart transverse wire members 82, 84, 86, 88,
90, 92 and lower transverse member 39. The transverse members 82,
84, 86, 88, 90, 92 and lower transverse member 39 extend between
longitudinal side members 94, 96, which extend between the front
and rear ends of the frame 14. The longitudinal side members 94, 96
may be positioned below and be generally parallel to the
longitudinal members 78, 80. The side member 94, 96 may be joined
to the side members 44, 66, 68, 70, 58 and 42, 72, 74, 76, 56,
respectively.
[0023] The transverse member 82 constitutes a rear transverse
member that is located below transverse member 55. It may extend
between and be joined to rear upright side members 42, 44 and
members 46, 48, 50.
[0024] The upper end of the frame 14 is provided with seating
prongs 100 that project upward a short distance from the other
portions forming the upper end of the frame 14. In the embodiment
shown, the seating prongs 100 are formed in the corners where
longitudinal members 16, 18 intersect and join cross members 20 and
26. In the embodiment shown, a corner cross-piece 102 formed from a
short length of rigid wire extends between the members 16, 18 and
the adjoining cross member 20, 26 to facilitate supporting the
prong 100. The prong 100 may be formed from an angled or curved
length of wire that extends from the corners to the cross-piece
102. Other projecting members may be used for the seating prong
100, as well.
[0025] The lower end of the frame 14 is provided with seating prong
apertures 104. These may be formed from a short length of wire 106
that extends between the lower longitudinal members 28, 30 and
transverse members 32, 38 to define the apertures 104. The
apertures 104 are configured to closely receive the seating prong
100 of a similarly constructed rack 12, when two or more racks 12
are arranged in a stacked configuration, such as shown in FIG. 7.
In the embodiment shown, the apertures 104 have a generally
triangular shape.
[0026] The wire frame 14 provides a generally open configuration,
with the wire members forming the frame 14 being spaced apart a
distance so that the interior of the frame is readily visible to
view items that may be housed within the frame 14, as is discussed
later on.
[0027] The wire members forming the frame 14 may be formed from
continuous lengths of wire. Thus, although the wire members have
each been discussed as being independent members, several of the
wire members may be formed from the same continuous length of wire,
which is bent or otherwise shaped to form one or more other members
that may be joined together. Other constructions other than those
described may also be used, with less or more members or components
being used than those shown and described for the construction of
the frame 14.
[0028] A ribbon tray 108 is provided with the frame 14. The tray
108 may be formed from a generally flat panel 110, which may be
formed from metal, plastic or other suitable material. The panel
110 defines a floor of the tray 108. Longitudinally extending
dividers or partitions 112 project upward from the floor of the
tray. The dividers or partitions 112 are laterally spaced apart a
distance to define generally U-shaped channels 114 for receiving
ribbon or other items to be housed within the frame 14. The
dividers 112 may be spaced an equal or non-equal lateral distance
from each other to accommodate ribbon or items of the same or
different widths. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer edges of the tray
108 may be free of upright dividers or partitions.
[0029] The tray 108 is positioned on the tray support, which was
previously described. Releasable or non-releasable fastening means,
such as welds, mechanical fasteners, etc. may be used to secure the
tray to the members forming the tray support. The tray 108 rests on
the tray support so that it is sloped downward towards the front of
the frame 14. The tray 108 may be permanently fixed to the frame 14
or it may be removable.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, provided on the forward end of the frame
14 is a display panel 116. The display panel 116 may be releasably
or non-releasably secured to and be generally positioned over the
lower forward portion 64 of the frame 14. The panel 116 may be
formed from paper or cardboard, plastic, sheet metal or other
suitable material. Signage or other indicia (not shown) may be
provided on the forward face of the display panel 116. This may
include information regarding the contents of the rack 10.
[0031] Secured to the panel 116 are samples or swatches 118. The
ribbon samples or swatches 118 are positioned directly in front of
the channels 114 and may be selected so that they match or are
indicative of the ribbon or items held within the corresponding
channel 114. The samples or swatches 118 may also be secured
directly to the lower portion 64 for display without the panel
116.
[0032] In use, the rack 10 is filled with items 12 to be displayed
and dispensed. The rack 10 may be positioned on a level surface. As
shown in FIG. 1, the items include lengths of ribbon or material
stored in cylindrical rolls on spindles or the like. Although the
rack 10 has particular application to such ribbon rolls, it may be
used for other articles, as well, which may be contained on rolls
or otherwise configured so that they advance down the inclined tray
108 as the items are removed. The dividers 112 and longitudinal
side members 78, 80 serve to retain the rolls in longitudinal rows.
The open spaces between the wire members forming the frame 14
facilitate visual perception of the rows of ribbon or articles
housed within.
[0033] Individual rolls of ribbon or items stored in the rack 10
may be removed through the forward opening of the upper portion 62.
As the items are removed through the forward opening, the sloped
tray 108 allows the ribbon or items to advance by gravity toward
the forward end of the rack 10. This may be repeated until all of
the items are removed.
[0034] Several racks 10 may be used in a stacked configuration, as
shown in FIG. 7. When used in a stacked configuration, the racks 10
may be filled with ribbon or other items. The racks 10 are
positioned one on top of the other with the seating prongs 100 of
the lower rack being received within the seating prong aperature
104 of the rack positioned on top. This ensures that the racks 10
are properly positioned and aligned one on top of the other. The
seating prongs also prevent relative movement of the racks 10 so
that they stack securely. It should be pointed out that although
the seating prong 100 and aperture 104 are provided on the upper
and lower ends of the frame 14, these may be reversed with the
seating prongs extending downward from the lower end of the frame
14 and the apertures 104 being provided at the upper end.
[0035] As shown, the lower end of the upper rack 10 will project a
distance over the inclined upper portion 62 of the rack underneath
when in the stacked arrangement.
[0036] In one method of use of the rack 10, the rack 10 may be
provided from a seller or supplier of ribbon or other articles 12.
The racks 10 are preloaded with such items and shipped to a
reseller. During shipping, the racks 10 may be provided on a pallet
or other support in a stacked arrangement, as has been described.
The preloaded rack or racks 10 may be delivered to the reseller in
this manner or they may be removed from the pallet or support and
delivered to the reseller. The rigid wire members provide a sturdy
construction that allows several of the racks to be arranged in a
stacked configuration.
[0037] Once delivered to the reseller's place of business or point
of resale, the preloaded racks 10 may be positioned there for
display and removal by purchasers or the like. The loaded racks 10
may be arranged in a stacked configuration, as has been described.
The swatch samples 118 facilitate identification and selection by
the customer or remover of the items. As the ribbon or items are
removed, the remaining rolls advance within the channels 114 of the
tray 108 toward the forward end of the frame 14.
[0038] Once all the ribbon or items are removed, the racks 10 may
be discarded. Optionally, the racks 10 may be reloaded by the
reseller or returned to the original seller for reloading and
return to the reseller or other resellers.
[0039] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a ribbon rack 130.
The ribbon rack 130 is similar to the ribbon rack 10, previously
described. The ribbon rack 130 may be formed by a rigid wire frame
132 formed from one or more lengths of rigid wire members that are
joined together, such as by welding or by the use of mechanical or
other suitable fasteners.
[0040] The ribbon rack 130 is provided with multiple ribbon trays
134 that are positioned on tray supports that may be formed by
front and rear transverse wire members 136, 138 (FIG. 9). The wire
members 136, 138 are vertically spaced apart so that the trays 134
are sloped downward toward the front of the rack 130 to facilitate
feeding of ribbon rolls towards the front of the rack. The tray
support may also include sloped side members 140, 142 (FIG. 11) and
one or more intermediate wire members 144 to facilitate supporting
of the trays 134. Other means of supporting the trays 134 may also
be employed. The trays 134 may formed from sheet metal, plastic,
etc. and may be removably or permanently coupled to the wire frame
134, such as by spot welding, bolting, riveting, etc.
[0041] Longitudinally extending dividers or partitions 146 project
upward from the floor of each tray 134. The dividers 146 may be
formed from angled or upwardly projecting portions of the material
used in forming the trays 134. The dividers or partitions 146 are
laterally spaced apart a distance to define generally U-shaped
channels 148 for receiving ribbon rolls or other items to be housed
within the frame rack 130. The dividers 146 may be spaced an equal
or non-equal lateral distance from each other to accommodate ribbon
or items of the same or different widths.
[0042] The tray supports are vertically spaced apart one on top of
the other with sufficient space to allow ribbon rolls (not shown)
to be positioned and fed within the channels 148 and accessed from
the forward end of the channel 148. A forward cross member 150 is
provided with the frame 132 in front of each tray 134 to retain
ribbon within the channels 144.
[0043] the embodiment shown, three ribbon trays 134 are provided
with the rack 130. The tray supports and associated trays 134 are
shown positioned at the lower portion of the rack 130, with the
upper portion of the rack 130 being free of tray supports.
[0044] The upper portion of the rack 130 that is free of trays
constitutes a display area for displaying articles above the trays
134. A hanger area is formed by a wire lattice 152 that is mounted
to the rear panel of the wire frame 132. The wire lattice 152
provides a plurality of hanger receiving areas for receiving hanger
assemblies 154. The area of the frame 132 in front of the lattice
152 is generally open to allow access to the hanger assemblies 154
from the front of the rack 130 for access or removal of items
supported on the hanger assemblies 154.
[0045] The hanger assemblies 154 (FIG. 10) each may include a frame
engagement portion 156, which may be in the form of a hook or clip
having a face plate 157 and a hooked portion 158. The hooked
portion 158 is configured for hooking over a cross wire of the wire
lattice 152. The lower portion of the face plate 157 extends below
the hooked portion 158, with the rearward face engaging or abutting
against the next lower adjacent cross wire of the wire lattice
152.
[0046] An elongated hanger member or peg 160 is coupled to and
projects from the engagement portion 156 and may be provided with
an upturned end 162 to facilitate retaining of articles on the
member 160. A plurality of the hanger assemblies 154 may be
provided with the ribbon rack 130 and may be positioned at selected
areas. The hanger assemblies 154 may be used to suspend a variety
of different items, such as additional ribbon products, pre-made
bows, sheer bags, ribbon hanks, tree scarves, etc. Although the
hanger assemblies 154 are shown as single hangers or pegs, other
differently configured hanging assemblies may be similarly employed
as well. For example, trays, bins, shelves, pockets, etc. may be
provided with one or more frame engagement portions 156 and these
may be hung or selectively coupled to the wire lattice 152 in a
similar fashion as the hanger assemblies 154.
[0047] The upper end 166 (FIG. 10) and lower base 168 (FIG. 11) of
the ribbon rack 130 are each formed from wire members that are
squared or flat at the ends to provide level seating surfaces. The
wire members forming the ends 166, 168 may have a square or
rectangular cross section.
[0048] In the embodiment shown, the upper end 166 is provided with
seating prongs 170 at the corners that project upward a short
distance. The seating prong 170, which may be formed from a short
length of angled or curved wire, extends from the corners of the
upper end 166 to a corner cross-piece 172. Other projecting members
may be used for the seating prong 170, as well.
[0049] The lower end 168 of the frame 132 is provided with seating
prong apertures 174. These may be formed from a short length of
wire 176 that extends across the corners of the base 168 to define
the apertures 174. The apertures 174 are configured to closely
receive the seating prong 170 of another similarly constructed
ribbon rack 130, when two or more racks 130 are arranged in a
stacked configuration. In the embodiment shown, the apertures 174
have a generally triangular shape.
[0050] In use, the ribbon rack 130 may be provided at a selected
location for display of multiple rolls of ribbon. The ribbon rack
130 has particular application for use in retail stores, such as
arts and craft stores, where ribbon may be sold. The racks 130 may
have a depth of 1 to 31/2 feet, with a height of from 11/2 to 31/2
feet, and a width of 11/2 to 4 feet, although the dimensions of the
rack may vary. The multiple levels of trays 134 allow a large
amount of ribbon to be stored and displayed within a small amount
of space. Sample ribbon swatches (not shown), such as the swatches
118 of rack 10, may be provided at the front end of the trays for
indicating the type of ribbon held within each channel 148. When a
roll of ribbon is removed from one of the tray channels 148, the
sloped tray allows the ribbon to be advanced or fed toward the
front of the tray 134.
[0051] The squared base 168 of the rack 130 facilitates seating of
the rack 130 on a flat floor or shelf. Additionally, the squared
upper end 166 facilitates stacking of one or more similarly
configured racks 130 one on top of the other. In such situations
where the racks 130 are in a stacked configuration, the seating
prongs 170 at the upper end 166 of the lower rack are received
within the apertures 174 of at the bottom 168 of the upper rack
130.
[0052] One or more of the hanger assemblies 154 may be positioned
within the hanger area and coupled to the lattice 152 at various
selected locations. Items may be suspended on the hangers 158 for
display and may be readily removed by sliding them off the pegs and
through the open area 178 at the front of the frame 132.
[0053] While the invention has been shown in only some of its
forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is
not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes and
modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.
Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be
construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *