Supports: racks – Shelf type – Knockdown
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-21
2001-09-11
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Shelf type
Knockdown
C211S090010, C211S090020, C108S147120, C108S147150, C108S107000, C248S225210
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286694
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to display stands for merchandising products; and more particularly, to an improved shelf assembly for a four poster style of display stand which stand may be made by joining together a plurality of display stand modules.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Display stands are typically used to store and display product in both refrigerated and non-refrigerated environments. Such display stands usually comprise a base, a plurality of vertical support members or posts extending upwardly from the base, and a top supported by the posts. A plurality of shelves are commonly supported by the vertical posts in any number of ways. Such display stands or shelving units are generally rectangular, and the shelves adapted to be used with the display stands are generally rectangular as well.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,016,765 and 3,788,242 disclose such display stands. In each of the display stands disclosed in these patents, a generally rectangular base has four members extending upwardly from the base, which members are used to support vertically oriented posts. Generally rectangular shelves may be supported by the posts at the desired heights. Similarly, the tops of each of the display stands disclosed in these patents have four members which are turned downwardly and inserted into the posts at the top of the display stand.
Each of the display stands disclosed in these patents is self-standing and is not adapted to be joined with other display stands in order to create a larger display stand. If more product is to be displayed, a second display stand must be purchased and placed adjacent to the first display stand. The display stands lack structure which would enable multiple display stands to be joined together to create a larger display stand or assembly.
In addition, such display stands are of a fixed width, length and height which cannot be modified or changed. Thus, if a merchant desires to display additional product above or beside the display stand, an additional display stand must be purchased and placed on top of or beside the existing display stand. Thus, the merchant has to pay for two or more display stands. Furthermore, if an additional display stand is placed on top of an existing display stand, the upper display stand may be unstable and may fall off the lower display stand.
Thus, a display stand which is modular in nature so that different modules may be secured to one another to create the desired structure is needed. With such a structure, modules may be placed on top of one another or connected to each other lengthwise or widthwise in order to create the desired display stand assembly.
It has been one objective of the present invention to provide an improved shelf assembly for a four poster style of display stand which stand may but need not necessarily be a modular display stand of the type which may be quickly and easily joined to other display stand modules in order to create an attractive and useful display stand assembly.
Yet another objective of the invention has been to create an improved shelf and clip assembly assembled from a limited number of similar components and joined to a display stand to create a display stand assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objectives of the present invention are achieved with an inventive display stand and shelf assembly, which display stand may but need not necessarily be of the modular style adapted to be joined to other display stand modules in order to make a display stand assembly. The display stand is assembled from four vertical uprights defining a plurality of holes, the vertical uprights being joined together by any suitable means, and preferably, by the method described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/448,370. A substantially U-shaped wire grid shelf is connected to the vertical uprights. The shelf has first and second opposed ends and first and second opposed side walls having upper and lower wires. A first pair of clips is fixedly attached to the opposed side walls proximate the first end of the wire grid shelf. Each clip has an integral tab which is received within a hole defined in the vertical uprights.
A second set of clips is slidably attached to the opposed side walls proximate the second end of the wire grid shelf and have tabs which, in a first position, are preferably flush with the second end of the shelf, and, in a second position, extend from the shelf and are received in the holes defined in the vertical uprights, preferably abutting the shelf second end. The tabs on the first and second set of clips preferably have notches which engage with the vertical uprights to prevent the clips from sliding within the holes.
Thus, a display stand assembly is provided in which a relatively few number of parts are required which are quickly and easily erected and disassembled, each display stand of the display stand assembly having one or more shelves which are quickly and easily engageable and disengageable from the vertical uprights.
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Battaglia Joseph M.
Bustos Rafael T.
Harris Erica B
L&P Property Management Company
Stodola Daniel P.
Wood Herron & Evans LLP
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