U.S. patent number 3,680,712 [Application Number 05/074,025] was granted by the patent office on 1972-08-01 for modular display rack.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Eagle Picher Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Stanley J. Jurasek.
United States Patent |
3,680,712 |
Jurasek |
August 1, 1972 |
MODULAR DISPLAY RACK
Abstract
An improved modular display rack or stand constructed of wire
rod and including a plurality of disconnectable rack sections for
permitting the size and capacity of the rack assembly to be
selectively varied. The rack sections include a pair of side frames
which support a plurality of removable shelves. Each shelf includes
downwardly extending legs positioned between a pair of vertically
and laterally spaced rods provided on the side frames, which legs
have bent portions which resiliently snap under the lowermost rod
for releasably but securely positioning the shelf on the side
frames. Suitable removable cross-braces extend diagonally between
and interconnect the pair of side frames adjacent the rear of each
rack section. The shelves, the side frames and the cross-braces of
each rack section are all interconnected solely by means of
resilient snap-like connections. The side frames have a pair of
adjacent downwardly extending loops on the lower corners thereof,
and the upper corners of the side frames have an extending ear or
projection, whereby a plurality of rack sections can be selectively
stacked one upon another by positioning the extending projections
of a lower rack section into the recesses defined by the downwardly
extending loops on the adjacent upper rack section.
Inventors: |
Jurasek; Stanley J. (Concord
Township, Jackson County, MI) |
Assignee: |
Eagle Picher Industries, Inc.
(Cincinnati, OH)
|
Family
ID: |
22117233 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/074,025 |
Filed: |
September 21, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/59.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F
5/13 (20130101); A47F 2005/165 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47F
5/13 (20060101); A47F 5/10 (20060101); A47f
005/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;211/181,133,177,126,128 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Byers, Jr.; Nile C.
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which I claim an exclusive
property or privilege are defined as follows:
1. A portable rack construction, comprising:
a first rack section having first and second substantially vertical
and parallel side frames of a generally parallelogram
configuration, and shelf means mounted on and extending between
said first and second side frames;
a first coupling member fixedly secured to each of said first and
second side frames adjacent the upper edge thereof and a second
coupling member fixedly secured to each of said side frames
adjacent the lower edge thereof;
one of said coupling members comprising a pair of substantially
parallel, vertically extending wire members, said wire members
being disposed in substantially vertical planes and being spaced
from one another by at least a predetermined distance so as to
define a slot-like recess therebetween; and
the other of said coupling members comprising a member of said
predetermined width and adapted for disposition within said
slot-like recess of another similarly constructed rack.
2. A portable rack construction according to claim 1,
including:
a second rack section adapted to be removably and vertically
stacked on top of said first rack section, said second rack section
including third and fourth substantially vertical and parallel side
frames of a generally parallelogram configuration and shelf means
mounted on and extending between said third and fourth side
frames;
said third and fourth side frames having coupling members
corresponding to the coupling members of said first and second side
frames;
said coupling members coacting between said first and second rack
sections for permitting same to be vertically stacked and for
preventing relative horizontal displacement therebetween when in
the stacked condition.
3. A rack construction according to claim 1, wherein:
each of said side frames includes a vertically extending corner
post disposed along the opposite vertical edges thereof, each of
said corner posts including a pair of substantially parallel and
vertically extending corner members, and a plurality of vertically
spaced and substantially parallel horizontal rods extending between
and interconnecting the corner posts of each side frame;
the free ends of said vertical corner members adjacent one edge of
the rack section having looped wire members integrally connected
thereto with said looped wire members extending vertically
outwardly beyond the adjacent endmost horizontal rod, said looped
wire members forming said one coupling member; and
the horizontal rod on the opposite edge of the rack section having
the free ends thereof vertically bent so as to form ear-like
projections forming the other coupling member and adapted to extend
into the recess between a pair of looped members on another
similarly constructed rack section.
4. A rack construction according to claim 1, wherein each of said
side frames includes first and second vertically extending corner
posts and a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending
support rods extending between and fixedly secured to said first
and second corner posts;
said first and second corner posts each including a substantially
straight and vertically extending center portion having a pair of
looped wire members on one end thereof and forming said one
coupling member, the looped wire members being disposed in opposing
spaced relationship and extending vertically outwardly beyond the
adjacent endmost horizontal rod; and the other end of each of said
corner posts being formed as an offset shoulder portion and
including a vertically extending portion adjacent the free end of
the corner post with said vertically extending portion being
horizontally offset from said center portion and being
interconnected thereto by means of an intermediate connecting
portion so that the other end of the corner post has a
substantially z-shaped configuration, the offset portions at the
other ends of the corner posts being directed inwardly toward one
another in opposed relationship; and the other endmost horizontal
rod of each of said side frames extending between and being fixedly
connected to the vertically extending portions of said corner
posts, the opposite ends of said other endmost horizontal rod
extending outwardly beyond said vertically extending portions and
being bent to form ear-like projections forming the other coupling
member and adapted to be received between the looped wire members
of a further rack section.
5. A rack construction according to claim 4, wherein each of the
corner posts comprises a pair of parallel wire rod members spaced a
slight distance apart.
6. A rack construction according to claim 4, wherein said pairs of
looped wire members are disposed adjacent the lower ends of said
corner members, and said offset portions are disposed adjacent the
upper ends of said corner members.
7. A rack construction according to claim 1, wherein said side
frames each include a pair of vertically spaced, substantially
horizontal support rods, and said shelf means including downwardly
extending leg means adapted to resiliently and releasably engage
said pair of horizontal support rods for permitting said shelf
means to be securely but removably connected between said side
frames.
8. A rack construction according to claim 7, wherein said leg means
includes a downwardly extending resilient leg member having a
substantially straight portion and including a bent portion
adjacent the lower end of said leg whereby the straight portion of
said leg is adapted to be positioned adjacent said pair of
horizontal support rods with said bent portion being resiliently
maintained partially below the lowermost one of said pair of
rods.
9. A rack construction according to claim 8, wherein the straight
portion of said leg member is adapted to vertically extend between
said pair of horizontal support rods, and said pair of rods being
horizontally laterally offset so as to be horizontally disposed
adjacent opposite sides of said leg member.
10. A rack construction comprising:
a pair of substantially vertical and parallel side frames, each of
said side frames including a plurality of vertically spaced,
substantially horizontal rod-like members;
a removable main shelf supported by and extending between said side
frames, said main shelf having downwardly extending legs adjacent
the opposite ends thereof for cooperation with a pair of the
horizontal rod-like members of each of said side frames, said legs
cooperating with said pair of rod-like members and resiliently
engaging at least one of said rod-like members for releasably but
securely connecting said main shelf to said side frames;
an auxiliary shelf suspended from one of the side frames on the
opposite side thereof from said main shelf, said auxiliary shelf
having upright legs abutting against rod-like members on said one
side frame, said upright legs having hook portions on the upper
ends thereof, said hook portions being releasably hooked over one
of said rod-like members for support thereon.
11. A rack structure, comprising:
a pair of substantially vertical and parallel side frames, each of
said side frames including a pair of vertically spaced,
substantially horizontal rod-like members;
a removable shelf supported by and extending between said pair of
side frames, said shelf having a substantially horizontal support
member extending between said side frames and having downwardly
extending legs adjacent the opposite ends thereof, said horizontal
support member extending between and being disposed above and in
bearing engagement with the uppermost ones of said pairs of
rod-like members of said end frames, said legs being positioned
adjacent the rod-like members and extending vertically
therebetween, said legs being resilient and each having an offset
portion formed adjacent the lower end thereof, said offset portions
being resiliently urged into engagement with the lowermost rod-like
members adjacent the lower sides thereof for securely locking said
shelf to said side frames.
12. A rack structure according to claim 11, wherein said pair of
rod-like members are horizontally laterally offset by a small
distance substantially equal to the width of the leg, and the leg
being horizontally disposed between the laterally offset rod-like
members whereby the uppermost rod-like member contacts said leg
adjacent one side of the upper end thereof, with the lowermost
rod-like member contacting the lower end of said leg adjacent the
other side thereof.
13. A rack construction, comprising:
a pair of substantially vertical and parallel side frames, each of
said side frames including a plurality of vertically spaced,
substantially horizontal rod-like members;
a removable shelf supported by and extending between said pair of
side frames, said shelf comprising at least three support rods
extending transversely between said side frames, each of said
support rods having downwardly extending legs thereon adjacent the
opposite ends thereof for cooperation with the horizontal rod-like
members of each of said side frames, each of said legs cooperating
with a pair of rod-like members and resiliently engaging at least
one of said rod-like members for releasably but securely connecting
said shelf to said side frames;
the rearward one of said support rods being vertically offset
upwardly from the other support rods; and
a series of article support members secured to and extending
between said support rods, said article support members each
including aligned generally vertical portions adjacent the front
end of the shelf.
14. A rack construction according to claim 13, in which said side
frames each have two pairs of said rod-like members, the rearward
support rod of said shelf cooperating with the upper pair of said
rod-like members and the other two support rods of said shelf
cooperating with the lower pair of said rod-like members, whereby
the shelf is supported in an inclined position.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved modular display rack and, in
particular, relates to an improved display rack constructed of wire
rod and having an improved corner connection structure for enabling
a plurality of rack sections to be easily and selectively stacked
one upon another. The display rack additionally has improved
mounting structure between the side frames and the rack shelves for
enabling the individual rack sections to be easily disconnected to
facilitate the assembly, the disassembly, the handling and
transporting thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There has long existed a need for a truly portable display rack or
stand capable of being easily assembled or disassembled, and
additionally capable of being easily handled and transported in a
knocked-down condition for permitting use thereof at different
locations. While there are known numerous portable display racks,
all of these known display racks possess one or more disadvantages
which make their use less than completely satisfactory.
One primary disadvantage of the known portable display racks has
been the relatively complex assembly and disassembly procedures
involved in putting together or taking apart the display rack.
Particularly, many of the prior known display racks have been
rather difficult to assemble and disassemble, particularly by
unskilled persons, and additionally have required the use of
special tools to enable the assembly or disassembly procedures to
be carried out. These special tools are often not available at the
different locations wherein it is desired to utilize portable
display racks.
Many of the known portable display racks have also not been
commercially acceptable due to the wobbliness of the rack when in
the assembled condition, thereby making use of the rack
inconvenient and possibly hazardous.
A further disadvantage of the known portable display racks has been
the inability to selectively vary the size thereof in an easy and
simple manner so as to meet the needs of the particular use
situation. Further, many of the known portable racks do not
collapse or disassemble into a substantially flat condition. Thus
the cost of handling and transporting the prior racks is higher
than is desired, because of the substantial waste space that they
entail.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
modular display rack or stand which overcomes the above-mentioned
disadvantages. Particularly, it is an object of the present
invention to provide:
1. An improved modular display rack assembly having a plurality of
rack sections stackable one upon another, with the size of the
display rack being selectively variable in accordance with the
number of rack sections utilized.
2. A rack, as aforesaid, having rack sections which can be easily
stacked so as to provide a rack having substantial strength and
rigidity.
3. A rack, as aforesaid, wherein the individual rack sections are
provided with downwardly projecting loops which form recesses into
which are received projecting ears formed on the upper end of the
rack sections for permitting a pair of rack sections to be
selectively and easily stacked one upon another.
4. A rack, as aforesaid, wherein the individual rack sections can
be easily and efficiently assembled or disassembled by non-skilled
personnel.
5. A rack, as aforesaid, wherein the individual components of the
rack sections are all held together by means of resilient snap-like
connections so as to not require any special tools for assembling
or disassembling the rack sections.
6. A rack, as aforesaid, wherein all of the components of a rack
section, when the rack section is disassembled, have a
substantially flat configuration for permitting the rack section to
be easily handled and transported.
7. A rack, as aforesaid, wherein the individual rack sections
include a pair of side frames and one or more shelves which are
capable of being supported on and interconnecting the side frames,
the shelves having downwardly extending legs which have a resilient
snap-like engagement with the side frames.
8. A rack, as aforesaid, which can be easily and economically
fabricated entirely from wire rod, and which possess substantial
strength and durability.
Other objects and purposes of the invention will be apparent to
persons acquainted with devices of this type upon reading the
following specification and inspecting the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved modular display rack
according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a side frame utilized in the
display rack according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view illustrating
the corner connection structure provided on the cooperating side
frames of a pair of stacked rack sections.
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the corner structure
of the adjacent side frames in a spaced relationship.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the shelf structures
utilized in the display rack illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view illustrating
the manner in which the shelf legs releasably lockably engage one
of the side frames.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of one of the legs of the
shelf and illustrating the manner in which the leg releasably
lockably engages the appropriate rods of the side frame.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary view illustrating the manner in
which the ends of the cross-braces are resiliently connected to an
adjacent side frame.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an auxiliary shelf structure which
can be selectively mounted on the rack structure in the manner
illustrated in FIG. 1.
Certain terminology will be used in the following description for
convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. The terms
"upwardly," "downwardly," "rightwardly" and "leftwardly" will refer
to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words
"inwardly" and "outwardly" will refer to directions toward and away
from, respectively, the geometric center of the device and
designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words
above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of
similar import.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objects and purposes of the invention are met by providing an
improved display rack or stand having a plurality of rack sections
which can be selectively stacked one upon another to vary the
overall height and capacity of the rack. The individual rack
sections have a projection adjacent both upper corners thereof and
a pair of downwardly projecting ears or loops defining a recess
therebetween adjacent both lower corners thereof. The individual
rack sections can be securely and easily stacked one upon another
by positioning the projections of a lower rack section within the
recesses between the downwardly projecting loops of an adjacent
upper rack section. The projections and loops cooperate to prevent
any relative horizontal movement between the stacked rack
sections.
The individual rack sections are preferably constructed from wire
rod and include a plurality of separable components for permitting
the entire rack section to be easily assembled or disassembled for
enabling same to be easily handled and transported. The individual
rack sections include a pair of identical and symmetrical vertical
side frames having said projections adjacent the upper corners
thereof and said loops adjacent the lower corners thereof. The side
frames also have pairs of horizontal bars thereon, which bars are
vertically and laterally spaced for releasably supporting a
removable shelf which extends between the side frames. The shelf is
provided with pairs of downwardly projecting legs adjacent the
opposite ends thereof, which legs have bent portions adjacent the
lower ends thereof. The shelf is supported upon the uppermost pair
of horizontal bars and the legs extend downwardly between the
laterally spaced bars with the lower bent portions being
resiliently snapped under the lowermost bar for releasably but
securely supporting the shelf on the side frames. A pair of
releasable cross-braces preferably extend diagonally between the
side frames adjacent the rear of the rack section. The cross-braces
have resilient hooks on the ends thereof which are adapted to
releasably snap over horizontal bars provided on the opposite side
frames.
If desired, the display rack can also be provided with an auxiliary
shelf structure which is of a substantially U-shaped, upwardly
opening configuration and has hooks adjacent one side thereof,
which hooks are adapted to engage one of the horizontal bars on one
of the side frames for permitting the auxiliary shelf to be
externally supported on the rack adjacent one side thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 illustrates therein a modular display rack or stand 11
constructed according to the present invention. The rack 11 may be
comprised of only a single rack section, but preferably, as
illustrated, it comprises a plurality of rack sections stacked one
upon another to selectively vary the size thereof. For purposes of
illustration, the rack 11 as disclosed comprises an upper rack
section 12 and a lower rack section 13. The lower rack section 13
is of greater height than the upper rack section 12, but it will be
understood that both rack sections may be of the same height, if
desired.
The upper rack section 12 comprises a pair of identical side frames
16 and 17 which are disposed in parallel, vertical, horizontally
spaced relationship and support thereon a pair of identical shelves
18 and 19. A pair of removable cross-braces 21 and 22 diagonally
interconnect the side members 16 and 17 adjacent the rear of the
rack section 12 for the purpose of squaring up the frame.
The lower rack section 13 is constructed in a similar manner and
includes a pair of identical side frames 23 and 24 disposed in
vertical, parallel relationship. A plurality of shelves 26, 27 and
28 are supported on and fixedly interconnect the side frames 23 and
24. A further pair of removable cross-braces 31 and 32 diagonally
interconnect the side frames 23 and 24 adjacent the rear side of
the rack section 13.
The rack 11 may, if desired, also be provided with an auxiliary
shelf 29 thereon, which auxiliary shelf can be removably mounted
adjacent the outer surface of one of the side frames, the shelf 29
being illustrated in FIG. 1 as mounted on the side frame 16.
The upper and lower rack sections 12 and 13 possess many identical
or similar components and/or structural elements, and thus only the
upper section 12 will be described in detail.
The side frame 16 is illustrated in FIG. 2 and it includes a pair
of vertically extending, substantially identical corner posts 33
and 34. The corner post 33 includes a pair of parallel corner
members 33A and 33B, which members are identical and are disposed
adjacent but slightly horizontally spaced from one another. The
corner post 34 is similarly constructed and it includes a pair of
identical corner members 34A and 34B disposed in adjacent, slightly
horizontally spaced, parallel relationship. The corner members 33A,
33B, 34A and 34B are all identical and the corner posts 33 and 34
are disposed in opposed, symmetrical relationship relative to one
another.
The corner posts 33 and 34 are fixedly interconnected by a
plurality of substantially horizontally extending support rods,
such as by an upper support rod 36, a lower support rod 37, and a
plurality of intermediate support rods 38. The horizontal support
rods 36, 37 and 38 are all disposed in parallel, substantially
vertically spaced relationship and their opposite ends are disposed
between and fixedly connected, as by spot welding, to the pairs of
corner members 33A-33B and 34A-34B. The side assembly 16 is
provided with a further plurality of substantially horizontally
horizontal rods 41, 42, 43 and 44, hereinafter referred to as
horizontal locking rods. The horizontal locking rods are disposed
in parallel, vertically spaced relationship and extend between the
corner posts 33 and 34, being positioned adjacent the external side
of the corner members 33A and 34A and being fixedly connected
thereto in a conventional manner, as by spot welding. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the locking rods 41-44 is vertically
spaced downwardly a predetermined distance from an adjacent upper
one of the intermediate support rods 38, and is likewise
horizontally laterally offset by a predetermined distance (the
thickness of members 33A and 34A) from the adjacent upper
intermediate support rod 38, the horizontal lateral offset being
achieved due to the fact that the intermediate support rods 38 are
disposed between the pairs of corner members, whereas the locking
rods 41-44 are secured to the external sides of the corner members
33A and 34A. The purpose for the spacing between the corresponding
pairs of support rods and locking rods, such as between the
uppermost intermediate support rod 38A and the uppermost locking
rod 41, will be explained in detail hereinafter.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, all of the corner members, such as the
corner member 33A, are formed with downwardly directed projections
46 thereon, which projections 46 extend downwardly beyond the
lowermost support rod 37. The projections 46 in the illustrated
embodiment are formed as reversely bent or upwardly opening
U-shaped portions, which U-shaped portions 46 have their free ends
extending upwardly a sufficient extent so as to be disposed in
contacting relationship on opposite sides of the lowermost support
rod 37 so that they can be welded thereto. The disposition of the
support rod 37 between the hook portions 46 results in the
formation of a slotlike recess 54 (FIG. 4) therebetween.
All of the corner members, such as the member 33A, are also formed
or bent so as to have a substantially Z-shaped configuration 47
adjacent the upper ends thereof. The Z-shaped configuration 47 is
provided by means of an inwardly directed, substantially horizontal
center portion 48 and an upwardly directed, substantially vertical
upper leg portion 49. The free upper ends of the vertical leg
portions 49 contact opposite sides of, and are fixedly connected
to, the top support rod 36. The ends of the rod 36 extend outwardly
beyond the vertical leg portions 49 and are formed with downwardly
directed, somewhat L-shaped hook portions 51 on the free ends
thereof. The L-shaped hook portions 51 each include a substantially
horizontal portion 52 which extends outwardly beyond the vertical
leg portions 49 to a position substantially aligned with the center
straight portions of the corner members, whereupon the L-shaped
hook portion 51 is then bent downwardly and slightly inwardly so as
to define a downwardly directed projection 53, which projection 53
extends downwardly between the central horizontal portions 48 and
is fixedly interconnected thereto, as by spot welding.
The upper vertical leg portion 49 of the Z-shaped configuration 47
is substantially parallel to and laterally offset from the straight
center portion of its corner member by a distance slightly greater
than the width of the hook portion 46. The vertical spacing between
the horizontal center portion 48 and the horizontal part 52 is
preferably slightly greater than the vertical depth of the slot 54
for enabling the L-shaped hook portion 51 of a lower rack section
to extend into the recess 54 of an adjacent upper rack section. The
hook 46 of the adjacent upper rack section is accommodated by the
Z-shaped configuration 47 of the lower rack section so that the top
support rod 36 of the lower rack section is free to abut against
the bottom support rod 37 of the upper rack section substantially
as illustrated in FIG. 3. When connected as illustrated in FIG. 3,
the free end of the hook 46 is positioned substantially adjacent
the vertical leg portion 49 so as to prevent horizontal lateral
displacement between the rack section in a direction substantially
parallel to the longitudinal direction of the support rods 36 and
37. Further, since the horizontal part 52 is closely confined
between the hook portions 46, this also prevents horizontal lateral
displacement in a direction substantially transverse to the
longitudinal direction of the support rods 36 and 37. Thus, the
side frames can be separated only by moving the upper side frame
vertically upwardly.
The side frame 16 is additionally provided with a vertically
extending center rod 39 disposed midway between, and substantially
parallel to, the corner posts 33 and 34. The center rod 39 extends
between the top and bottom support rods 36 and 37 and is positioned
between the intermediate support rods 38 and the locking rods
41-44, that is, the center rod 39 is disposed substantially within
the same plane as the outer corner members 33A and 34A.
The other side frame 17 is identical to the side frame 16 and thus
will not be described in detail.
Thus, the side frames are substantially rectangular in plan view
and they have the downwardly extending projections 46 adjacent the
lower corners thereof. Moreover, two sets of shelf supports, each
consisting of two intermediate support rods, such as rods 38A and
38 B, and associated locking rods, such as 41 and 42, are provided.
A shelf can be associated with each set of shelf supports as
described hereinbelow.
The side frames 16 and 17 are disposed in opposed, substantially
parallel relationship with one another and support thereon and are
fixedly interconnected by a plurality of shelves, such as the
shelves 18 and 19. The shelves 18 and 19 as illustrated are
identical and thus only the shelf 18 will be described in
detail.
The shelf 18 is illustrated on an enlarged scale in FIG. 5 and
includes inverted, substantially U-shaped front, intermediate and
rear support rods 56, 57 and 58, respectively, disposed in
substantially parallel relationship. Each of the support rods 56-58
includes a substantially horizontal center portion 59 having legs
61 and 62 fixedly, here integrally, connected to the opposite ends
thereof and extending downwardly therefrom. The legs 61 and 62 are
adapted to cooperate with the side frames 16 and 17,
respectively.
The legs 61 and 62 are identical and, as illustrated in FIG. 7,
each includes a downwardly directed straight portion 63
interconnected to the horizontal center portion 59 by means of a
curved or elbow portion 64. The lower end of the leg 61 (and 62) is
provided with an outwardly bent portion 66, which portion 66 is
provided with a champfer or tapered surface 67 adjacent the lower
outer free end thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the elbow portion
64 is adapted to bear on and extend around an intermediate support
bar, such as rod 38B, with the straight portion 63 extending
downwardly from the support rod 38B and having a length slightly
greater than the vertical spacing between the support rod 38B and
its associated locking rod 42 so as to position the outwardly bent
portion 66 directly beneath said locking rod.
The rods 56 and 57 of the shelf 18 are releasably attached to the
rods 38B and 42 as above described. Rod 58 of the shelf 18 is
releasably attached to the rods 38A and 41 in like fashion. Thus,
the shelf 18 is supporting in a downwardly and frontwardly inclined
fashion.
The shelf 18 is further provided with a plurality of article
support members or wires 68 extending transversely between and
fixedly connected to the support rods 56, 57 and 58. The article
support wires 68 include front and rear straight portions 71 and 72
fixedly and integrally interconnected by an intermediate transverse
portion 69. The article support wires 68 are, in the illustrated
embodiment, provided with a slight inclination so that the rear
portions 72 define a flat, slightly inclined article support grid,
the inclination of the grid causing the articles to move forwardly
so as to abut against the transversely extending wire portions 69
for positively retaining the articles on the shelf. Due to this
inclined configuration, the front and intermediate support rods 56
and 57 are substantially horizontally aligned with one another so
as to coact with the same support rod 38B and the same locking rod
42 as illustrated in FIG. 6, whereas the rear support rod 58 is
spaced vertically upwardly from the rods 56 and 57 by a distance
substantially equal to the spacing between a pair of adjacent
support rods 38A and 38B so as to coact with the next adjacent
support rod 38A substantially in the manner as illustrated in FIG.
1. The front and intermediate support rods 56 and 57 can be
additionally interconnected by intermediate tie members 73 if so
desired.
The side frames 16 and 17, in addition to being interconnected by
the shelves 18 and 19, are also interconnected by the pair of
diagonal cross-braces 21 and 22 so as to improve the strength and
rigidity of the assembled rack section 12. The cross-braces 21 and
22 are identical and each includes a substantially S-shaped hook
portion 74 (FIG. 8) provided on the opposite free ends thereof.
Each hook portion 74 is adapted to be resiliently snapped around
one of the intermediate horizontal support rods 38 adjacent the
backside of the rack section to provide a truss-like connection
between the side frames 16 and 17.
If desired, one of the rack sections 11 and 12 can additionally
have a removable auxiliary shelf structure 29 mounted thereon,
which shelf structure 29 (FIG. 9) includes an elongated rod 76
which is shaped so as to have an upwardly opening, substantially
U-shaped configuration. The rod 76 includes a substantially
horizontal elongated top bar 77 interconnected between
substantially parallel U-shaped side members 78, which side members
78 are identical and include a pair of vertically extending legs 79
and 81 interconnected by an intermediate, substantially horizontal
base portion 82. The upper ends of the legs 81 are fixedly, here
integrally, connected to the top bar 77, whereas the upper ends of
the legs 79 are each provided with a downwardly and outwardly
extending hook portion 83. A pair of substantially horizontal
support rods 84 extend between and are fixedly connected to the
base portions 82, and a further pair of substantially parallel
horizontal cross bars 86 extend transversely between and are
fixedly connected to the support bars 84 for defining a
substantially planar support shelf. The manner in which the shelf
29 is utilized and mounted on the rack will be explained
hereinafter.
Considering now the rack section 13, same is substantially
identical to the rack section 12 described above except that the
rack section 13 is of greater vertical height. Particularly, the
rack section 13 includes the side frames 23 and 24 which are
constructed in a manner identical to the frames 16 and 17 described
above except that they are of increased vertical height so as to
accommodate a greater number of shelves 26, 27 and 28 therebetween.
The side frames 23 and 24 are further interconnected by the
cross-braces 31 and 32, which cross-braces are identical to the
cross-braces 21 and 22 as described above.
With respect to the shelves 26 and 27, they are identical to the
shelf 18 described above and thus further description thereof is
not believed necessary. On the other hand, the shelf 28 is of a
modified construction in that it is designed to provide a
substantially planar, horizontal support surface.
The shelf 28 includes front and rear horizontal support rods 91
having downwardly directed legs 93 fixedly, here integrally,
connected to the opposite ends thereof, The legs 93 are identical
to the legs 61 and 62 as described above and are designed for
coacting with the support and locking rods of the side frames in a
manner similar to that illustrated in FIG. 7. The horizontal
support rods 91 and 92 are fixedly interconnected by a plurality of
tie bars 94, which in turn are also fixedly interconnected by a
further plurality of transverse cross bars 96 so as to define a
planar, substantially horizontal article supporting surface. The
support rods 91 and 92 are both disposed within the same horizontal
plane and thus all of the legs 93 are designed for support on the
same horizontal support rod 38' and for locking engagement with the
same locking rod 44' .
It will be noted that the side frames 23 and 24 have three sets of
shelf supports. Thus, three shelves can be mounted thereon and, in
particular, instead of the shelf 28, there can be provided a third
shelf corresponding to shelves 26 and 27, if desired.
ASSEMBLY
To assemble the uppermost rack section 12, the side frames 16 and
17 are first disposed in vertical, opposed, facing relationship,
whereupon the shelves 18 or 19 are then mounted on the side frames
16 and 17 for fixedly and rigidly interconnecting same.
Particularly, the legs 61 and 62 of the shelf 18 will be positioned
above and outwardly of the intermediate support rods 38A and 38B,
the shelf 18 being positioned so that the legs extend substantially
vertically downwardly until the bent portions 66 of the legs,
particularly the chamfered faces 67 thereof, contact the locking
rods 41 and 42. Continued downward pressure exerted on the shelf 18
will cause the legs 61 and 62 to resiliently deflect inwardly so as
to permit the bent portions 66 of the legs to pass by the locking
rods, whereupon the bent portions 66 will then resiliently snap
outwardly so as to be positioned partially under the locking rods
(as illustrated in FIG. 7) for resiliently holding the shelf
tightly in engagement with the side frames 16 and 17. When so
positioned, the weight of the shelf 18 is supported on the
intermediate support rods 38A and 38B, whereas the bent portions 66
of the legs cooperate with the locking rods 41 and 42 for tightly
and fixedly maintaining the shelf interconnected between the side
frames. The shelves are disassembled in the reverse manner merely
by exerting a sufficient upward force on the shelf so as to cause
the legs to resiliently deflect inwardly to enable the bent
portions 66 of the legs to move upwardly past their corresponding
locking rods.
After the shelves have been mounted between the side frames 16 and
17, then the rack section 12 can be further strengthened by
mounting the cross-braces 21 and 22 thereon. As illustrated in FIG.
8, the cross-brace 21 (or 22) is looped around one of the lower
intermediate support rods 38 of the one side frame, whereupon the
other end 74 of the cross-brace is then resiliently snapped around
an upper intermediate support rod 38 of the other side frame,
whereupon the two diagonal cross-braces 21 and 22 thus provide a
truss-like structure which substantially increases the strength and
rigidity of the rack section 12.
The lower rack section 13 is assembled (and disassembled) in the
same manner as the rack section 12 and thus further explanation
thereof is not believed necessary.
After the rack sections 12 and 13 have been individually assembled,
then they can be selectively stacked one upon another to provide a
rack 11 of the desired height merely by positioning one of the rack
sections, such as section 12, directly over another rack section,
such as section 13, so that the adjacent corners thereof are
positioned in vertically spaced relationship substantially as
illustrated in FIG. 4. The upper rack section is then lowered onto
the lower rack section so that the L-shaped hook portions 51 on the
lower rack section extend into the recesses 54 defined between the
downwardly projecting hook portions 46 formed on the upper rack
section. The ultimate relative vertical position of the upper and
lower rack sections is determined by means of the upper support rod
36' of the lower rack section being disposed in abutting engagement
with the lower support rod 37 of the upper rack section
substantially as illustrated in FIG. 3.
When the corresponding corners of the upper and lower rack sections
are coupled as illustrated in FIG. 3, the L-shaped hook portions 51
are confined within the slots 54 and thus prevent relative
horizontal movement between the rack sections in a direction
transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rods 36 and 37.
Lateral horizontal movement between the rack sections in a
direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rods 36 and
37 is also prevented by the free ends of the hook portions 46 being
disposed closely adjacent the upper leg portions 49. Thus, the
upper rack section is substantially horizontally confined and
cannot move laterally (horizontally) relative to the lower rack
section. This type of connection thus permits a plurality of rack
sections to be vertically stacked one upon another in a stable and
secure manner.
If it should be desired to utilize the auxiliary shelf 29, then
same is interconnected to the display rack 11 merely by positioning
same adjacent the external side of one of the side frames, same
being positioned so that the hooks 83 extend around one of the
intermediate support rods 38, whereupon the weight of the rack 29
then causes the vertical legs 79 to bear against one of the locking
rods, such as the locking rod 43 illustrated in FIG. 1, for
maintaining the shelf 29 in a stable and horizontal orientation.
The auxiliary shelf 29, due to this manner of mounting same, can
obviously be mounted on either side of the display rack 11, and can
also be selectively mounted at any desired vertical position
relative to the side frames 16 and 17 (or 23 and 24).
As is readily apparent from the drawings and from the above
described structure, the rack sections 12 and 13 are preferably
constructed entirely of metal rods or wire which can be easily
shaped and bent so that the individual members and components of
the rack can be arranged as described above. Further, all of the
individual wire components are preferably interconnected by means
of spot welding to permit the rack structure to be easily and
economically manufactured. However, any other suitable means of
connecting the wire components could also obviously be
utilized.
While the illustrated embodiment of the invention utilizes only two
rack sections, it will be readily apparent that the structure
according to the present invention is designed to permit more than
two rack sections to be vertically stacked so as to provide a shelf
of the desired height. Alternately, the rack constructed according
to the present invention could also utilize only a single rack
section, such as either the rack section 12 or 13, assuming that
such a rack section provides the necessary storage or shelf space.
Further, the height of the individual rack sections can obviously
be varied to permit same to accommodate more or less shelves from
that as illustrated in the drawings.
It should also be observed that the rack 11, when composed of a
plurality of stacked rack sections, can comprise a plurality of
identical rack sections, such as by utilizing all rack sections 12
or all rack sections 13.
Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has
been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be
recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed
apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the
scope of the present invention.
* * * * *