Abstract:
A modular tire rack which engages tires from the open interior of each tire. The rack may be formed in modular sections which can be assembled in vertically or horizontally adjustable numbers. The rack may incorporate a lock to prevent casual removal of tires. Tires are supported with their full faces available for inspection by potential buyers. Tires are engaged by structure which after assembly occupies the open interior of each tire. The rack may include a floor base accommodating either permanent bolting to a floor or the like or alternatively, attachment of caster wheels. Supports for holding signage may be provided.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 USC 119(e) of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/504,589, filed Jul. 5, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to racks and more particularly to a modular rack for storing and displaying pneumatic tires. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Automotive facilities selling tires typically use racks to store tires. If security against theft is desired, tires are enclosed within cage type racks. Alternatively, some racks may not enclose tires being stored thereon. In the latter case, it is conventional to pass a chain through the openings of the tires and secure the chain with a padlock. Neither of these types of tire racks is esthetically pleasing. Moreover, conventional racks are not conducive to displaying tires in a manner that will elicit interest by potential buyers. That is, tires are not held apart from one another and presented so as to enable inspection of the entire face of a tire by a potential buyer. Also, storage racks are not adapted to present signage which may promote tire sales. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention addresses the above deficiencies in several ways. In one way, tires are held in an attitude enabling passers by to view the full face of each tire. In another way, some of the tire engaging structure occupies the open interior of the tire, thereby being concealed from view. Further, the novel modular rack accommodates signage which may present information of interest to potential buyers, such as what type of vehicle may utilize the displayed tire, characteristics of the tire, and price. 
         [0005]    To these ends, the novel rack comprises a floor plate, a vertical mast, and a tire engaging element which may project horizontally from the vertical mast. The vertical mast is arranged to telescopically engage other vertical masts, so that the total number of tire holding units is at the discretion of the user. 
         [0006]    The tire engaging element may be formed in two sections which are assembled once inside the opening of the tire. The tire engaging element may incorporate a lock which prevents casual removal of a tire from the novel rack. 
         [0007]    Plates, clips, or other structure may be formed integrally with the rack to accommodate signage. 
         [0008]    In its simplest form, the novel rack may comprise only one tire engaging element, and may support and display only one tire. Alternatively, tire engaging modules may be vertically stacked to support and display plural tires. In addition to being vertically arrayed, novel racks may be arrayed abreast of one another so as to define a two dimensional display array. If desired, the racks may be extended to form a three dimensional storage and display array. 
         [0009]    An object of the invention is to provide a versatile, convenient tire storage and display racking system which presents the full face of a tire for display, which holds the tire securely and deters casual removal, which accommodates signage, and which conceals a substantial amount of utilitarian structure of the rack. 
         [0010]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof by apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
         [0011]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an environmental front perspective view of a modular rack adapted to store and display two tires, according to at least one aspect of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a modular rack according to at least one aspect of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side detail view of a tire mounted and secured to a modular rack according to at least one aspect of the invention, is shown partially in cross section, and is a view taken from the direction of the arrow  3 - 3  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective detail view of optional components of a modular rack, according to further aspects of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of some components of a modular rack according to at least one aspect of the invention, shown assembled in a vertically arrayed modular stack. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is front view of a modular rack according to still a further aspect of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , according to at least one aspect of the invention, there is depicted a modular rack  100  for storing and displaying two tires  2 . The modular rack  100  holds the tires  2  in an upright orientation with the sidewall  4  of each tire  2  facing an observer (not shown) when the observer is squarely in front of the modular rack  100 . This is an advantageous orientation for displaying tires  2  because as much of each tire  2  is exposed to view as is possible. Also, tires such as the tires  2  conventionally bear indicia (not visible in  FIG. 1 ) molded into their sidewalls on the exterior surface, for conveying information about the tire, such as load capacity, nominal tire size, inflation specifications, model and manufacturer, and the like. Signage  4  is also seen to be supported by the modular rack  100 . An upper signage support (without a sign supported thereby) and a floor base for the modular rack  100  are also seen. 
         [0020]    Construction of the modular rack  100  may be understood by turning to  FIG. 2 . Modular racks such as the modular rack  100  may be formed by modularly assembling tire holding units such as a tire holding unit  10 . The tire holding unit  10  may include a vertical mast  12  which preferably comprises a serial connection feature enabling series connection to similar additional vertical masts of additional tire holding units. For example, the vertical mast  12 , which is in the example of  FIG. 1  a square channel, may include a relatively long section  14  having an open end  16  and a relatively short section  18  of reduced dimensions which is fixed to and may form an extension of the relatively long section  14  in the direction of the longitudinal axis  20  of the vertical mast  12 . The dimensions and configuration of the relatively short section  18  enable the relatively short section  18  to engage the open end  16  of the relatively long section  14 . Of course, because of the modular nature of a modular rack such as the modular rack  100 , the relatively short section  18  is intended to engage the relatively long section of another vertical mast (see  FIG. 4 ) to enable serial connection of plural vertical masts such as the vertical mast  12 . 
         [0021]    It is preferable but not necessary that the relatively short section  18  be received within the open end of the relatively long section of another vertical mast such as the vertical mast  12 . The relatively short section  18  could instead comprise a female socket which receives the relatively long section of another vertical mast (this option is not shown). Still other connection schemes (not shown) could also be employed. It is further preferable although not necessary that the relatively long sections of the vertical masts of modular tire holding units such as the tire holding unit  10  have similar external dimensions and configuration, so that when several modular tire units are serially joined as depicted in  FIG. 5 , a visual impression of a single vertical mast of constant external dimensions and configuration is achieved. 
         [0022]    The tire holding unit  10  may comprise a multipiece tire engaging element  22  which projects horizontally from the vertical mast  12  when the vertical mast  12  is in a vertical orientation as seen in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0023]    It should be noted at this point that orientational terms such as vertical and upright refer to the subject drawing as viewed by an observer. The drawing figures depict their subject matter in orientations of normal use, which could obviously change with changes in orientation and position of the depicted objects. Therefore, orientational terms must be understood to provide semantic basis for purposes of description, and do not limit the invention or its component parts in any particular way. 
         [0024]    The multipiece tire engaging element  22  may be disposed to be assembled so as to partially occupy the open center of a tire such as the tires  2 . More particularly, the multipiece tie engaging element  22  may be disposed to engage the inner surface of the tire  2  at two diametrically opposed points at the inner surface of the tire  2 , and to hold the tire  2  from the inside of the tire  2  in an upright orientation as seen in  FIG. 1 . Engagement of a tire  2  in this manner is shown in  FIG. 3 , which may be briefly consulted now for better understanding of the invention but which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The multipiece tire engaging element  22  may comprise a first non-circular stub channel  24  permanently fixed to and projecting laterally from the vertical mast  12 , a second and separate non-circular stub channel  26  which is dimensioned and configured to be telescopically received by the first non-circular stub channel  24 , a first lateral projection  28  which engages the inner surface of the tire  2  and which is fixed to one of the first non-circular stub channel  24  and the second non-circular stub channel  26 , and a second lateral projection  30  which slidably fits to one of the first non-circular stub channel  24  and the second non-circular stub channel  26  and may be slid thereon so as to project in a direction opposite that of the first lateral projection  28 . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the first lateral projection  28  is fixed to the second non-circular stub channel  26 . 
         [0025]    The first non-circular stub channel  24  and the second non-circular stub channel  26 , both shown as square channel in the example of  FIG. 2 , need not be square in cross section as depicted. Rather, they merely need be configured to prevent rotation of the socket  32  of the second lateral projection  30  so that the latter will maintain its direction of projection from the axis  34  of the multipiece tire engaging element  22  in the direction opposite that of the first lateral projection  28 . 
         [0026]    The first lateral projection  28  and the second lateral projection  30  may comprise respective stems  36 ,  38  and respective wheel contacting portions  40 ,  42  each of which generally conforms to the curvature of the interior of a tire such as the tires  2 . Although depicted as arcuate, the wheel contacting portions  40 ,  42  need not be literally arcuate or curved, as long as each presents at least one point of contact which would establish interference with the interior surface of the tire  2  so as to prevent casual removal of the tire  2  from the multipiece tire engaging element  22 . As employed herein, the phrase “at least one” explicitly contemplates one of the referenced item and also any number greater than one of the referenced item. Furthermore, it is not necessary that both of the wheel contacting portions  40 ,  42  literally contact the inner surface of the tire  2 , as long as interference preventing casual removal is achieved. 
         [0027]    As employed herein, casual removal signifies removal by manual manipulation, as might be attempted by a person attempting to remove the tire  2  for example to steal the same. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  shows the multipiece tire engaging element  22  in the asembled condition partially occupying the open center of a tire  2  and achieving interference with casual removal of the tire  2  from the multipiece tire engaging element  22  as discussed above. In  FIG. 3 , the wheel contacting portion  40  is seen to abut the interior surface  6  of the tire  2 . The wheel contacting portion  42  projects sufficiently far into the open center of the tire  2  so as to prevent the tire  2  from being manually maneuvered free of the multipiece tire engaging elmeent  22 . Removal of the tire  2  may be accomplished only by disassembling the multipiece tire engaging element  22 . 
         [0029]    Assembly and disassembly of the multipiece tire engaging element  22  are explained with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The first non-circular stub channel  24  and the second non-circular stub channel  26  each have a respective hole  44  or  46  each of which is alignable with a the corresponding hole  46  or  44  formed in the other of the first non-circular stub channel  24  and the second non-circular stub channel  26 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , a pin  48  is dimensioned and configured to pass through the alignable holes  44 ,  46  in close cooperation therewith. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the pin  48  may comprise a lock such as a locking pin  50  which may be locked to prevent casual disassembly of the multipiece tire engaging element  22 . The pin  50  may comprise a bolt  52  and a removable head  54  which may only be removed from the shaft  56  of the bolt  52  when unlocked for example by a key  58 . If desired, other locking arrangements such as padlocks having elongated shackles (not shown) may be provided in place of the pin  48  or the locking pin  50 . 
         [0030]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , a modular rack such as the modular rack  100  may comprise a floor base  60  which may be manually attachable to the vertical mast  12 . The floor base  60  may comprise a plate  62  to which may be fixed a mounting stub  64  for telescopically receiving the relatively short section  18  of the vertical mast  12 . The plate  62  may comprise mounting holes  66  selectively enabling bolting of the floor base  60  to an environmental surface (not shown) bearing upwardly projecting studs which may be passed through the mounting holes  66 , bolting of the floor base  60  to resilient feet (not shown), and bolting of the floor base  60  to wheels such as the caster wheel  68  shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0031]    The plate  62  of the floor base  60  may comprise a first panel  70  which is horizontal when the vertical mast  12  is in a vertical orientation as seen in  FIG. 2 , and a second signage support panel  72  which is arranged at an angle to the first panel  70 . The first panel  70  and second panel  72  may be formed by bending the plate  62  for example. 
         [0032]    The tire holding unit  10  may comprise a separate and attachable upper signage support  74  which is disposed to hold a sign (not shown) above a tire  2  held by the multipiece tire engaging element  22 . The upper signage support  74  may have a stepped stub shaft  76  having a relatively large section  78  and a relatively small section  80  the latter of which may be dimensioned and configured to be telescopically received by the open end  16  of the vertical mast  12  in the same way as other vertical masts are received. When plural tire holding units such as the tire holding unit  10  are joined in vertical series, for example, as seen in  FIG. 1 , the upper signage support  74  may be connected to the vertical mast  12  of the uppermost tire holding unit  10 . The upper signage support may comprise a support plate  82  to which a sign (not shown) may affixed. 
         [0033]    The multipiece tire engaging element  22  may comprise a front signage support  76  disposed to hold a sign over the open center of a tire  2  (as seen in  FIG. 1  for example), with the tire  2  and the sign occupying parallel planes and the sign being displayed immediately in front of the tire  2 . 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a modular rack according to the invention may comprise a plurality of tire holding units arrayed as a vertical stack. In  FIG. 5 , the tire holding units, which may be similar to the tire holding unit  22  shown in  FIG. 2  for example, are shown representatively by vertical masts  12   a ,  12   b , and  12   c , each of which may be similar to the vertical mast  12  of  FIG. 2 . The lowermost vertical mast  12   c  may be connected to a floor base such as the floor base  60 . Multipiece tire engaging elements such as the multipiece tire engaging element  22  may be subsequently assembled to the mast assembly comprising the vertical masts  12   a ,  12   b , and  12   c . A signage support such as the upper signage support  74  may be installed on the uppermost vertical mast  12   a.    
         [0035]      FIG. 5  also illustrates mounting of a wheel such as a caster wheel  84  to the floor base  60 . The stud  86  of the caster wheel  84  may be passed through a mounting hole  66  and appropriately secured with a fastener asembly  88 . The fastener assembly  88  is shown in representative form only, and may include plural components including a nut and a lock washer for example. 
         [0036]    Thus far, illustration of a modular rack such as the modular rack  100  of  FIG. 1  has been limited to only one vertical stack of tire holding units such as the tire holding unit  22  of  FIG. 2 . However, and with reference to  FIG. 6 , a modular rack  200  may comprise a plurality of vertical stacks  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  of tire holding units such as the tire holding unit  10  of  FIG. 2  are arrayed as a two dimensional array wherein individual vertical stacks  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  of tire tire holding units are abreast of one another. A spanning signage support  212  (barely visible behind the sign  214 , but which may be similar to the upper signage support  74  of  FIG. 2  in its essential functional features may be disposed to span all of the vertical stacks  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 . 
         [0037]    Referring again to  FIG. 4 , there is shown an optional wheel bolt lock cover  90  and an optional wheel plate  92  which may be installed to a non-circular stub channel such as the first non-circular stub channel  24  in a telescopic manner utilizing a pin in the same manner as installation of the second non-circular stub channel  26 . The wheel bolt lock cover  90  may include a wheel mounting plate  94  bearing a hole pattern  96  disposed to accept fasteners, and a non-circular wheel adapter stub shaft  98  which is fixed to the wheel mounting plate  90  at one end and at an opposed end is dimensioned and configured to be telescopically received by the first non-circular stub channel  24  of the vertical mast  12  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0038]    The wheel plate  92  may include a non-circular wheel plate stub shaft  98  which telescopically engages the first non-circular stub channel  24  and the wheel plate stub shaft  98 . 
         [0039]    Although it is contemplated that because it is desirable that tires be supported within convenient viewing height of potential buyers, the rack assembly will be between one and four units high, it would be possible to stack units in greater numbers if desired. 
         [0040]    A tire holding unit such as the tire holding unit  10  may be increased in capacity to hold and display more than one tire if desired. 
         [0041]    Connections of modular components of a modular rack according to the present invention may be manual, such as relying upon friction fit or using manually removable fasteners, or alternatively, may be secured by locks, such as that employing the locking pin  50  seen in  FIG. 4  for example. 
         [0042]    It should be understood that signage supports such as signage support panel  72 , upper signage support  74 , support plate  82 , and spanning signage support  212  are shown in representative capacity only, and may include pockets, clips, and other apparatus (none shown) for engaging, supporting, and holding removable signs. 
         [0043]    While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible.