Rotatable Display Rack Having Vertical Adjustment Therefor

Abstract

A rotatable display rack having a housing to which display members are joined and that is mounted for rotation on a shaft, the shaft being located in a tubular support member that is fixed to a base. A clutch mounted within the housing is manually movable to interconnect the shaft and the housing, the lower end of the shaft being threadably received within a fixed portion of the tubular support, wherein rotation of the housing with the clutch engaged produces a correspondingly vertical movement of the shaft and housing relative to the tubular support.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a display rack and has particular application in the display of garments or other merchandise that are displayed for sale in a retail establishment.

Various kinds of garment display racks and particularly rotatable racks are used in retail establishments for the display and sale of merchandise such as clothing and the like. Many of these display racks are of the fixed vertical position type, wherein the display unit of the rack is located in a fixed vertical position according to the manufacturing specifications. Heretofore, some of these prior known display racks have included some form of vertical adjustment, wherein the display unit was elevated vertically to locate the merchandise on the rack in various desired positions of display. However, the means for adjusting the vertical position of these prior known display units was cumbersome and inefficient and oftentimes very difficult to operate. One of the more common types of adjustable racks included a spring plunger that was secured within a tubular member and that was designed to be received in one of a plurality of openings as formed in a vertical leg. Although such a device did perform the function of providing for adjusted vertical positions of the display unit, it was sometimes difficult to use; and oftentimes the spring elements therein were broken or became disengaged from the position of use and therefore rendered the adjustment device inoperative.

In all of these prior known vertical adjustment devices for display racks, it was necessary to physically lift a component of the rack to accomplish the adjustment; and this was difficult to accomplish, particularly if the rack was loaded with merchandise or if the rack were a fairly large one, wherein it was not only heavy but it was also cumbersome, thereby rendering it difficult to effect the required adjustment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a display rack having a base to which a tubular support member is secured in vertical relation. A shaft is located in the support member and projects thereabove. The shaft is interengaged with the tubular support member so as to be vertically adjustable with respect thereto and has a display assembly mounted on the upper portion thereof. The display assembly normally rotates on the shaft in the desired position of use and carries garment support members thereon. In order to provide for the adjustment of the hanger assembly with respect to the shaft, a clutch member is provided and is located interiorly of the display assembly and within the shaft. The clutch member is movable manually for engagement with a plate having a noncircular opening formed therein, the opening having a configuration that corresponds to the cross-sectional configuration of the clutch member, the plate also being secured to the display assembly so that when the clutch member is moved into the engaging position thereof with the plate, the display assembly is mounted for rotation with the shaft. Since the shaft is supported within the support member such that rotation relative therebetween produces a vertical movement of the shaft, the interengagement of the clutch which fixes the display assembly to the shaft will result in a vertical movement of the display member with the shaft as these members are rotated relative to the support member.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for adjusting the vertical position of a rotatable housing and that includes a clutch member that is slidably mounted on a shaft, wherein the shaft is mounted on a support for vertical adjustment with respect thereto, the clutch member being movable to interengage the housing and shaft so that rotatable movement thereof produces a corresponding vertical adjustment therefor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vertical adjustment for a fully loaded display rack wherein the display portion of the rack having merchandise located thereon is adjusted vertically by the simple rotation thereof following manual engagement of a clutch assembly.

Still another object is to provide a garment display rack that is normally rotatable and that includes a housing on which garment support members are mounted, the housing being vertically adjustable without removal of the garments from the support members.

Still another object is to provide a vertical adjustable garment display assembly that is supported on a shaft that is, in turn, mounted on a tubular support, a clutch being operable to produce vertical adjustment of the garment display assembly upon rotation thereof.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the display rack as embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the display rack illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the elements for effecting the vertical adjustment of the display assembly are illustrated in the inoperative position thereof;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the clutch member that provides for vertical adjustment of the display assembly in the operative position thereof, wherein vertical adjustment of the display assembly is accomplished; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper portion of the display rack showing the clutch member in the operative position thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, a garment display rack as embodied in the present invention is illustrated and is generally indicated at 10. As shown the display rack 10 includes a base generally indicated at 11 defined by leg members 12, to which vertical feet 14 are secured at the outer ends thereof. It is understood that the base as shown is for illustrative purposes only and may be of any suitable design as determined by the ornamental requirements of the rack. Fixed to the leg members 12 of the base 11 and extending upwardly therefrom is a tubular support member 16, and received within the tubular support member 16 is a shaft 18, which as will be described is vertically movable relative to the tubular support 16 when a vertical adjustment of the display rack is required. Mounted on the shaft 18 for rotation with respect thereto is a display assembly generally indicated at 20 that includes a housing 22 from which arms 24 radiate. A display ring 26 is conveniently mounted on the outermost ends of the arms 24 and receives garment hangers thereon for display of garments. Although the display assembly as shown includes the display ring 26, it is understood that various display devices and constructions may be employed with the display assembly 20 for the display of merchandise as required.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the tubular support 16 as shown is secured to the base 11 between the leg members 12; and secured within the tubular support 16 adjacent to the lowermost end thereof is a jack 28 that includes an upwardly extending threaded stem 30. Joined to the lowermost end of the shaft 18 is a bushing 32 that is threaded interiorly, and that receives the threaded stem 30 of the jack 28 therein. Since the jack 28 is fixed to the tubular support 16, it is seen that rotation of the shaft 18 relative to the tubular support 16 will produce a corresponding vertical movement of the shaft 18.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the housing 22 of the display assembly 20 is shown as being tubular in construction and having a ball bearing assembly 34 located at the bottommost end thereof that is received on the shaft 18. A similar ball bearing assembly 36 is located within the housing 22 adjacent to the upper end thereof and is also received on the shaft 18, the ball bearing assemblies 34 and 36 providing for rotation of the housing 22 with respect to the shaft 18 in the normal use of the display rack. In this connection, the display ring 26 that is secured to the housing 22 through the arms 24 rotates with respect to the shaft 18, and garments mounted on hangers that are suspended from the display ring 26 may be inspected by customers by rotation of the display assembly 20. A set collar 38 that includes a set screw 40 is mounted on the shaft 18 below the bearing assembly 34 and positively locates the display assembly 20 in vertical position relative to the shaft 18.

On occasion it may be desirable or necessary to elevate or lower the display assembly 20, and for this purpose a clutch member generally indicated at 42 is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the clutch member 42 includes a main body portion 43 that is hexagonal in cross-sectional configuration and that is received in a bushing 44 having a bore formed therein, the configuration of which corresponds to that of the body portion 43 of the clutch member 42. The bushing 44 is welded to the upper end of the shaft 18 interiorly thereof and is formed as an integral part thereof. Joined to the body portion 43 of the clutch member 42 is an upwardly extending reduced portion 46 which is externally threaded and receives a knob 48 thereon. The threaded reduced portion 46 of the clutch member 42 projects through a plate 50 having an opening 52 formed therein, the configuration of which corresponds to that of the bore in the bushing 44 and to the cross-sectional configuration of the clutch member 42. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the knob 48 that is secured to the upper threaded end 46 of the clutch member 42 is located above the plate 50 and is easily available for manipulation when a vertical adjustment of the display assembly 20 is required. In order to maintain the clutch member 42 in a positive vertical position, a lower disc 54 is secured to the body portion 43 and has an annular groove formed therein in which a rubber O-ring 56 is received. The O-ring 56 engages the interior wall of the shaft 18 and acts to positively locate the clutch member 42 in the required position of use.

When an adjustment of the display assembly 20 is necessary, the knob 48 is grasped and pulled upwardly as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, thereby moving the upper portion of the body portion 43 of the clutch member 42 into the opening 52 of the plate 50. The lower portion of the body portion 43 of the clutch member 42 remains in the bushing 44; and since the bushing 44 is secured to the shaft 18 and the upper plate 50 is secured to the housing 22, the clutch member 42 interconnects the shaft 18 to the housing 22. It is seen, therefore, that rotation of the housing 22 produces a corresponding rotation of the shaft 18. As the shaft 18 rotates, the bushing 32 joined to the bottommost end thereof is caused to vertically move with respect to the threaded stem 30 of the jack 23 that is secured to the base 11 of the display rack. The shaft 18 and the display assembly 20 interconnected thereto through the clutch member 42 then move correspondingly in a vertical direction in accordance with the direction of rotation of the display assembly 20. When the display assembly 20 has reached the required vertical position, the knob 48 is released and the clutch member 42 is moved downwardly to clear the opening 52 in the plate 50 and the clutch member is returned to the inoperative position thereof as illustrated in FIG. 2. The set collar 38 which had been previously loosened is then adjusted vertically after the display assembly has reached the required vertical position and is thereafter tightened at the appropriate location so as to positively retain the display assembly in its adjusted position.

It is seen that the display assembly 20 is conveniently and quickly moved to a required vertical position by simply elevating the knob 48 which moves the clutch member 42 into the opening 52 for engagement with the plate 50. Rotation of the display assembly 20 then produces the corresponding vertical movement thereof for location in the desired vertical position. It is also seen that the vertical adjustment of the display assembly 20 can be accomplished with the display assembly fully loaded with garments, and thus it is not necessary to remove the garments from the display assembly if a vertical adjustment thereof is necessary. Adjustment of the display assembly 20 to an upper or lower position is conveniently accomplished by rotation of the housing 22 in a counter or counterclockwise movement, depending upon the required position of use of the display ring 26.

Although the clutch member 42 is illustrated as being hexagonal in configuration, and the bore of the bushing 44 and the hole 52 formed in the plate 50 have a configuration corresponding to that of the clutch member 42, it is understood that any non-circular shape can be utilized therefor. It is also understood that a keyway or spline construction could also be utilized with the clutch member 42 for interengaging the clutch member with the bushing 44 and plate 50.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A display rack, comprising a base, a tubular support member mounted on said base in vertical relation, a shaft located in said support member and having an upper portion that projects thereabove, said shaft being interengaged with said tubular support member so as to be vertically adjustable with respect thereto, a display assembly mounted on the upper portion of said shaft, means for vertically adjusting the position of said shaft with respect to said tubular support member wherein the vertical position of said display assembly is adjusted, said adjusting means including a clutch member that is located in coaxial relation in said shaft and that is longitudinally movable relative thereto for interengagement therewith, means fixed to said display assembly for receiving said clutch member in engaging relation, wherein said clutch member interlocks said display assembly to said shaft, and means for moving said clutch member in a longitudinal and axial direction relative to said shaft to the engaging position thereof, whereafter rotation of said display assembly produces a corresponding rotation and vertical movement of said shaft with respect to said tubular member to adjust said display assembly in a required vertical position.

2. A display rack, comprising a base, a tubular support member mounted on said base in vertical relation, a shaft located in said support member and having an upper portion that projects thereabove, said shaft being interengaged with said tubular support member so as to be vertically adjustable with respect thereto, a display assembly mounted on the upper portion of said shaft, means for vertically adjusting the position of said shaft with respect to said tubular support member wherein the vertical position of said display assembly is adjusted, said adjusting means including a clutch member that is interengaged with said shaft, means fixed to said display assembly for receiving said clutch member in engaging relation, wherein said clutch member interlocks said display assembly to said shaft, and means for moving said clutch member to the engaging position thereof, whereafter rotation of said display assembly produces a corresponding rotation and vertical movement of said shaft with respect to said tubular member to adjust said display assembly in a required vertical position, said clutch member being defined by a body portion that is preformed in a predetermined cross-sectional configuration, said means fixed to said display assembly being defined by a plate having an opening formed therein the configuration of which corresponds to the cross-sectional configuration of said clutch member and into which the clutch member is moved during a vertical adjustment of said display assembly, wherein relative rotary movement between said clutch member and said plate is prevented.

3. A display rack as claimed in claim 2, said tubular support having a threaded stem fixed therein and extending upwardly interiorly thereof, said shaft having a threaded element fixed to the lowermost end thereof and threadably engaging said threaded stem wherein rotation of said shaft produces a corresponding vertical movement thereof with respect to said tubular support member.

4. A display rack as claimed in claim 3, said display assembly including a housing having supports mounted thereon for receiving display members, bearing means mounted in said housing and receiving said shaft therein for rotatably mounting said housing on said shaft, said plate forming the upper end of said housing.

5. A display rack as claimed in claim 4, a portion of said clutch member projecting upwardly through the opening in said plate, said means for moving the clutch member including a knob that engages the upwardly projecting portion of said clutch member and that is vertically movable to locate the clutch member in said opening in the plate member for interengaging said display assembly with said shaft, wherein rotation of said display assembly and shaft produces a corresponding vertical adjusting movement thereof.

6. A display rack as claimed in claim 1, said tubular support having a threaded stem fixed therein and extending upwardly interiorly thereof, said shaft having a threaded element fixed to the lower end thereof and threadably engaging said threaded stem, wherein rotation of said shaft produces a corresponding vertical movement thereof with respect to said tubular support member.

7. A device for adjusting the vertical position of a rotatable housing, a base, a support mounted on said base, a shaft mounted on said support for vertical adjustment with respect thereto and receiving said housing for rotation thereon, a clutch member mounted on said shaft in coaxial relation and being movable in longitudinal sliding relation thereon for interengagement therewith, means fixed to the housing for receiving said clutch in engaging relation, and means for moving said clutch member into engaging relation with said means fixed to said housing, wherein said housing is interconnected to said shaft, so that upon rotation of said housing, said shaft is caused to rotate and move vertically with respect to said support, thereby adjusting the vertical position of said housing therewith.

8. A display rack, comprising a base, a tubular support member mounted on said base in vertical relation, a shaft located in said support member and having an upper portion that projects thereabove, said shaft being interengaged with said tubular support member so as to be vertically adjustable with respect thereto, a display assembly mounted on the upper portion of said shaft, means for vertically adjusting the position of said shaft with respect to said tubular support member wherein the vertical position of said display assembly is adjusted, said adjusting means including a clutch member that is interengaged with said shaft, means fixed to said display assembly for receiving said clutch member in engaging relation, wherein said clutch member interlocks said display assembly to said shaft, and means for moving said clutch member to the engaging position thereof, whereafter rotation of said display assembly produces a corresponding rotation and vertical movement of said shaft with respect to said tubular member to adjust said display assembly in a required vertical position, a bushing fixed to said shaft adjacent to the upper end thereof and having an opening formed therein, said clutch member having a body portion the configuration of which corresponds to the configuration of the opening in the bushing, a portion of said body portion of the clutch member being received in the opening in the bushing wherein relative rotary movement between said clutch member and bushing is prevented, and said means fixed to said display assembly including a plate that forms the top of said display assembly, said plate having an opening formed therein the configuration of which corresponds to that of the opening in said bushing wherein said clutch member is movable upwardly for simultaneous location of the body portion thereof in the bushing and the opening in the plate, wherein said shaft and display assembly are interlocked for rotation together.

9. A display rack, comprising a base, a tubular support member mounted on said base in vertical relation, a shaft located in said support member and having an upper portion that projects thereabove, said shaft being interengaged with said tubular support member so as to be vertically adjustable with respect thereto, a display assembly mounted on the upper portion of said shaft, means for vertically adjusting the position of said shaft with respect to said tubular support member wherein the vertical position of said display assembly is adjusted, said adjusting means including a clutch member that is interengaged with said shaft, means fixed to said display assembly for receiving said clutch member in engaging relation, wherein said clutch member interlocks said display assembly to said shaft, and means for moving said clutch member to the engaging position thereof, whereafter rotation of said display assembly produces a corresponding rotation and vertical movement of said shaft with respect to said tubular member to adjust said display assembly in a required vertical position, said means fixed to said display assembly including a plate having a non-circular opening formed therein, said display assembly including a housing to the upper end of which said plate is secured, said clutch member having a non-circular cross-sectional configuration that corresponds to the configuration of the opening in said plate, said means for moving said clutch member including a knob fixed to the upper end thereof for vertically lifting said clutch member into the opening in said plate for interconnecting said shaft and display assembly.