Supports: racks – Of wire
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-07
2001-04-10
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Of wire
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213317
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to merchandise display racks, and more particularly to stand-alone display racks for holding merchandise.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Display racks are generally known for holding and displaying various types of merchandise. One type of rack is a stand-alone display rack which is self-supporting. A stand-alone display of this general type includes a rack for carrying the merchandise and a base for supporting the rack. Because such racks are self-supporting, they may be positioned almost anywhere in the store and are often used as point of purchase displays.
The bases used for certain stand-alone displays typically comprise a pair of feet attached near a bottom of the rack. Portions of the feet project past front and rear sides of the rack to provide a stable support structure for the rack. The feet of a conventional display, however, do not allow multiple displays to be arranged closely together except in a side by side configuration. For example, it is not possible to arrange two conventional displays back to back, or to position third and fourth displays transversely of the two back to back displays, without creating significant gaps between the racks of the displays. This problem is significant in that it increases the amount of floor space needed for a given display.
Conventional displays further limit layout changes. The volume of a given product that a store owner would like to have on display often changes due to many factors, including changes in purchasing trends and sales promotions which temporarily increase sales of a product. As a result, it is desirable for a display to be capable of quickly and easily changing size to adapt for different display sizes. As noted above, however, it is not possible to combine conventional display racks in certain arrangements to thereby adjust display volume. In the alternative, a store owner may keep a number of different sized displays on hand to allow for changes in display volume. The additional displays, however, are overly costly to keep on hand. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that header material is often attached to the top of a display to create an aesthetically pleasing or attractive effect. Conventional displays, however, typically support only conventional header material, and therefore have a limited aesthetic value.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a merchandise display is provided comprising at least first and second modular display units. Each modular display unit includes a rack for supporting merchandise, the rack having a front side and a rear side. A pair of feet depend from opposite lateral sides of the rack. Each foot comprises a front support projecting beyond the front of the rack and a rear support projecting beyond the rear side of the rack. The rear support of each foot is offset from the front support in a lateral direction, thereby allowing the display units to be placed back to back so that the rear sides of the racks abut one another.
The front support of each foot may have an upper run and a lower run, with a clearance space defined therebetween. The rear support of each foot may also have an upper and a lower run, the upper and lower runs defining an outer periphery sized to fit through the clearance space. A third, substantially identical display unit may be transversely positioned along a first lateral edge of the first and second display units so that rear supports of the third display unit extend through a first front support of the first display unit and an adjacent first front support of the second display unit. The rear edge of the rack of the third display unit would thereby abut the first lateral edge of the first and second display units. A fourth display unit, substantially identical to the first, second, and third display units, may also be provided and positioned at a second lateral edge of the first and second display units.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a merchandise display is provided having a modular foot design which allows additional displays to be combined therewith. The display comprises a rack for supporting merchandise and having a front side and a rear side. A pair of feet depend from opposite lateral edges of the rack. A front support of each foot projects beyond the front side of the rack and has an interior opening extending therethrough. A rear support of each foot projects beyond the rear side of the rack and has an outer margin sized to fit through the interior opening.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a merchandise display is provided having a modular foot design allowing additional displays to be combined therewith. The display comprises a rack for supporting merchandise having a front side and a rear side. A pair of feet depend from the bottom of opposite lateral sides of the rack. A front support of each foot projects beyond the front side of the rack and has upper and lower legs defining a clearance space therebetween. A rear support of each foot projects beyond the rear side of the rack and has upper and lower legs. The upper and lower legs of the rear support define an outer periphery sized to fit through a space equal to the clearance space of the front support.
Other features and advantages are inherent in the apparatus claimed and disclosed or will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3986445 (1976-10-01), Hooton
patent: 5022620 (1991-06-01), Scott
patent: 5215199 (1993-06-01), Bejarano
patent: 5435295 (1995-07-01), Gerrard
patent: 5816419 (1998-10-01), Lamson
patent: 5819941 (1998-10-01), Vanwingerden
patent: 5855286 (1999-01-01), Zaid
Beerman Ronald J.
Mutert George F.
Franklin Wire Works, Inc.
Harris Erica B.
Marshall O'Toole Gerstein Murray & Borun
Stodola Daniel P.
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