Abstract:
A display rack and hook combination comprising a rack hung on a pre-existing wire frame. The rack has a plurality of spaced slots therein in horizontally and vertically aligned rows. Support fixtures having products suspended therefrom may be inserted into these slots. The support fixtures are of various shapes and have face places configured to snap into the slots and hold the fixtures in a firm and stabilized manner so products can be hung therefrom.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The invention relates to display systems; and more particularly, to display racks and hook combinations including racks having display hooks mounted thereon on which products are suspended.  
         [0003]     2. Related Art  
         [0004]     Display racks that are set up in retail stores or the like at the point of sale are well known. Such racks generally are self standing units having a back wall or the like with a plurality of spaced holes or openings into which one end of a support hook is inserted. The hook then extends outwardly from the wall, having an elongated portion for extending through an opening in a display card or the like. A product to be displayed is mounted on the card and, in this manner, a plurality of such products may be displayed to the public at the point of sale. Of course, any suitable product having means allowing it to be suspended from such hooks may be so mounted.  
         [0005]     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,417, there is disclosed a hook and display panel combination for suspending products therefrom. In this patent, the hook has a gripping finger that extends into a slot on a corrugated cardboard panel. There is no bottom support to the face place of the hook to the panel. Thus, when a product suspended from such a hook is removed therefrom, the hook may be dislodged from the panel.  
         [0006]     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,103, there is disclosed a display rack having a back wall with a plurality of spaced openings therein. A plurality of spaced outwardly extending protrusions are associated with these spaced openings. These spaced protrusions provide added support to the support members  67  when the gripping fingers  73  are inserted into openings  27 . Although this arrangement is quite effective, this rack uses a hook that could be dislodged when a product is removed from suspension from the hook.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,277 discloses a display hook and rack combination wherein a display rack has a plurality of spaced openings into which support fingers of a hook may be inserted. The rack has spaced protrusions thereon associated with the spaced openings and engaging the face plate of the hook providing support and stabilization to the hook so that it cannot be easily dislodged when a product, suspended on the hook, is removed therefrom.  
         [0008]     It can be seen from the foregoing patents that firm support and stabilization of display hooks, which carry products being displayed thereon, is a serious problem in the display rack art. There is a need for display racks which can support a variety of different shaped hooks thereon in a firm and stabilized manner.  
       INVENTION SUMMARY  
       [0009]     It is an object of this invention to provide a display rack and hook combination that supports a variety of different shaped hooks in a firm and stabilized manner.  
         [0010]     These and other objects of the invention are preferably accomplished by providing a display rack and hook combination comprising a rack adapted to be hung on a pre-existing wire frame. The rack has a plurality of spaced slots therein in horizontally and vertically aligned rows. Support fixtures having products suspended therefrom may be inserted into these slots. The support fixtures are of various shapes and have face plates configured to snap into the slots and hold the fixtures in a firm and stabilized manner so products can be hung therefrom. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating how the display rack is hung from a pre-existing wire frame;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the display rack alone of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of the rack of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a view taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a detailed view of a portion of the rack of  FIG. 4  taken along line  5 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a view taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a detailed view taken along line  7  of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is an elevational view, partly in section, of a hanging clip used to mount the rack of  FIG. 2  to the pre-existing wire frame of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a view taken along lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 , the rack omitted for convenience of illustration;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of one type of hook that can be inserted into the slots of the rack of  FIGS. 1-3 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a view taken along lines  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a view taken along lines  12 - 12  of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a view taken along lines  13 - 13  of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a view taken along lines  14 - 14  of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is a view taken along lines  15 - 15  of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view illustrating how the hook of  FIGS. 10-15  snaps into a slot of the rack of  FIGS. 1-3 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  is a side view of a portion of the rack of  FIG. 16  showing how the hook snaps into the slot;  
         [0028]      FIG. 18  is a side elevational view of another type of hook that can be inserted into the slots of the rack of  FIGS. 1-3 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 19  is a view taken along lines  19 - 19  of  FIG. 18 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 20  is a view taken along lines  20 - 20  of  FIG. 18 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 21  is a view taken along lines  21 - 21  of  FIG. 18 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 22  is a view taken along lines  22 - 22  of  FIG. 18 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 23  is a view taken along lines  23 - 23  of  FIG. 18 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view illustrating how the hook of  FIGS. 18-23  snaps into a slot of the rack of  FIGS. 1-3 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 25  is a side view of a portion of the rack of  FIG. 24  showing how the hook snaps into the slot.  
         [0036]      FIG. 26  is an elevational view of a bracket for holding a header in the rack of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 27  is a side view of the bracket of  FIG. 26  illustrating how the header of  FIG. 1 , shown in dotted lines, is attached thereto;  
         [0038]      FIG. 28  is an elevational view of the bracket of  FIG. 26  mounted into the rack of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 29  is a front elevational view of a bracket for mounting a basket to the rack of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0040]      FIG. 30  is a side view of the bracket of  FIG. 29 ;  
         [0041]      FIG. 31  is a top plan view of the bracket of  FIGS. 29 and 30 ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 32  is a rear elevational view of the bracket of FIGS.  29  to  31 ;  
         [0043]      FIG. 33  is a bottom plan view of the bracket of  FIG. 32 ;  
         [0044]      FIG. 34  is a view taken along lines  34 - 34  of  FIG. 30 ;  
         [0045]      FIG. 35  is an exploded view illustrating the mounting of a basket to the bracket of FIGS.  29  to  34 , the bracket being mounted onto the rack of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0046]      FIG. 36  is a side view, partly in section, illustrating the attachment of the basket of  FIG. 35  to the bracket of FIGS.  29  to  34 ;  
         [0047]      FIG. 37  is a perspective view of a stand used to support the rack of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0048]      FIG. 38  is a perspective view of the rack of  FIG. 1  mounted on the stand of  FIG. 37 ;  
         [0049]      FIG. 39  is a rear elevational view of the stand of  FIG. 37 ;  
         [0050]      FIG. 40  is a plan view of the blank used to form the lower portion of the stand of  FIG. 37 ;  
         [0051]      FIG. 41  is a perspective view of the blank of  FIG. 40  in partially folded condition;  
         [0052]      FIG. 42  is a plan view of the blank used to form the upper portion of the stand of  FIG. 37 ; and  
         [0053]      FIG. 43  is a perspective view of the blank of  FIG. 42  in partially folded condition. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0054]     Referring now to  FIG. 1  of the drawing, a pre-existing self supporting wire frame  10  is shown that may be disposed in a retail establishment or the like. A display rack  11  is about to be mounted on to frame  10 . The rack  11  alone is shown in  FIG. 2 . This is the front view of rack  11 ; the rear view of rack  11  is shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0055]     As seen in  FIGS. 2, 4 , and  5 , rack  11  is comprised of a plurality of horizontally extending spaced ribs  12  intersected by a plurality of vertically extending spaced ribs  13 . These ribs  12 ,  13  are enclosed by a peripheral frame  14 . These ribs  12 ,  13  form a plurality of spaced slots  15  for receiving article bearing hooks therein, as will be discussed. On opposite sides of rack  11 , that is, on the right and left sides of rack  11  as seen in  FIG. 2 , a plurality of elongated slots  16 , longer and narrower than slots  15 , are provided. This may be accomplished by narrowing the spacing between left and right side frame portions  17 ,  18 , respectively, and the respective adjacent vertical rib  13  as seen in  FIG. 2 . In addition, the horizontal ribs  12  adjacent each left and right side frame portions  17 ,  18  that intersect with the vertical ribs  13  do not extend across the open slots  16  at every other location thus forming an elongated slot  16  as shown. Slots  16  may be used to support shelving, as will be discussed further hereinbelow.  
         [0056]     As seen in  FIG. 6 , each rib  12  has an enlarged portion  18  where it intersects with vertical rib  13 . The rear view of slots  15  and  16  is shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0057]     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a clip  19  is shown which is used to hang the rack  11  of  FIG. 2  on to the pre-existing wire frame  10  of  FIG. 1 . Clip  19  has a first generally U-shaped portion  20  with a lip  21  at the terminal end of clip  19 , which bears against one of the horizontal ribs  12 , the curved portion  22  extending into adjacent slot  15 , then curving back out to an integral elongated portion  23  overlying two adjacent spaced horizontally extending ribs  12 , as shown. U-shaped portion  20  also has a lip portion  24  which bears against the inner surface  25  of one of the ribs  12  as shown. Elongated portion  23  curves inwardly forming a curved portion  26  (see also  FIG. 9 ), then to a hook portion  27  ( FIG. 8 ). Hook portion  27  has an extension portion  28  forming an opening therebetween for hooking on to a wire member  29  of the wire frame  10  of  FIG. 1 . In this manner, clips  19  can be pushed into aligned slots  15  at spaced locations on rack  11  firmly and securely holding the rack  11  on to the wire frame  10 .  
         [0058]     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , one type of a display hook that may be used to hang items or articles on rack  11  is shown. Thus, hook  30  has an elongated support member  31 , which, as seen in  FIG. 11 , may be generally trapezoidally-shaped in cross-section with rounded side edges. Support member  14  is angled slightly upwardly from the horizontal and terminates in an upturned portion  32  at its outer end. Support member  14  is cantilevered outwardly from the front surface  33  of a broader face plate  34  which has a substantially planar rear surface  35 . Face plate  34  has a V-shaped slot  36  (see  FIGS. 12 and 13 ) at its lower end forming two spaced prongs  37 ,  38 . Each prong  37 ,  38  has a rearwardly extending snap tab portion, (portions  39 ,  40 , respectively) adapted to snap into aligned slots  15  of rack  11  as will be discussed. A hook portion  41  (see particularly  FIGS. 13 and 15 ) is provided at the upper end of face plate  34  for snapping into an aligned slot  15  of rack  11  as will be discussed.  
         [0059]     This is shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . Hook  30  is mounted to rack  11  between two adjacent spaced vertical ribs  13  ( FIG. 16 ), the width of face plate  34  being generally related to the spacing between adjacent ribs  13 . As seen in  FIG. 17 , hook portion  41  of face plate  34  enters slot  15  and engages the enlarged portion  18  of one of the horizontally extending ribs  12 . The lower end of face plate  34  or prongs  37 ,  38  snap fit into a slot  15 , one slot removed from the slot  15  into which hook portion  41  extends. The prongs  37 ,  38  engage the vertical ribs  13  and, along with hook portion  41 , hold the face plate  34  in a firm position secured to rack  11 . Thus, the face plate  34  spans  3  adjacent aligned slots  15  as seen in  FIG. 16  and can quickly and easily be removed therefrom. The snap tab portion  39 ,  40  of prongs  37 ,  38  snap into locking engagement with adjacent ribs  13 .  
         [0060]     Another embodiment of a hook that may be used in accordance with the teachings of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 18 through 20 . Thus, hook  42  has an elongated support member  43 , which, as seen in  FIG. 19 , may be generally planar with a central generally trapezoidally-shaped portion  44  in cross-section with rounded side edges. Support member  43  is angled slightly upwardly from the horizontal and terminates in an upturned portion  45  at its outer end. Support member  42  is cantilevered outwardly from the front surface  46  of a broader face plate  47  which has a substantially planar rear surface  48 . Face plate  47  has a V-shaped slot  49  (see FIGS.  19  and  21 ) at its lower end forming two spaced prongs  50 ,  51 . Each prong  50 ,  51  has a rearwardly extending snap tab portion, (portions  52 ,  53 , respectively) adapted to snap into aligned slots  15  of rack  11  as will be discussed. A hook portion  54  (see particularly  FIGS. 21 and 23 ) is provided at the upper end of face plate  47  for snapping into an aligned slot  15  of rack  11  as will be discussed.  
         [0061]     This is shown in  FIGS. 24 and 25 . Hook  42  is mounted to rack  11  between two adjacent spaced vertical ribs  13  ( FIG. 24 ), the width of face plate  34  being generally related to the spacing between adjacent ribs  13 . As seen in  FIG. 25 , hook portion  54  of face plate  47  enters slot  15  and engages the enlarged portion  18  of one of the horizontally extending ribs  12 . The lower end of face plate  47  or prongs  52 ,  53  snap fit into a slot  15 , one slot removed from the slot  15  into which hook portion  41  extends. The prongs  52 ,  53  engage the vertical ribs  13  and, along with hook portion  54 , hold the face plate  47  in a firm position secured to rack  11 . Thus, the face plate  47  spans  3  adjacent aligned slots  15  as seen in  FIG. 24  and can quickly and easily removed therefrom. The snap tab portion  52 ,  53  of prongs  50 ,  51  snap into locking engagement with adjacent ribs  13 .  
         [0062]     It can be seen that there is disclosed a support rack which can be quickly and easily hung onto to the pre-existing wire frame in a store or the like using hanging clips  19 . Support members  30 ,  42  can be quickly and easily snapped into spaced slots  15  on rack  11 . The rack  11 , and the clips  19  and support members  30 ,  42  may be made of any suitable plastic materials.  
         [0063]     As seen in  FIG. 26 , a bracket  100  is provided to hold a header  101  (see  FIG. 1 ) with indicia thereon, to the rack  11 . Bracket  100  includes a lower rib  102  ( FIG. 26 ), an upper rib  103 , and a front rib  104  interconnecting ribs  102 ,  103 . As seen in  FIG. 26 , upper rib  103  extends outwardly further than lower rib  102 . A rear flange portion  105  is also interconnected to ribs  102 ,  103  and cutout sections  106 ,  107  and  108  may be provided in bracket  100 .  
         [0064]     Rear flange portion has an upper hook portion  109  and a lower hook portion  110  with a nub  111  spaced therebetween. A second nub  112 , extending outwardly a shorter distance than nub  111 , is provided below hook portion  110 . Hook portion  109  has a groove  113  (see  FIG. 28 ) with a face portion  114  facing groove  113 . Hook portion  110  haw a curved U-shape extending from flange portion  105  and terminating in an extension portion  115 . A first groove  1161  may be provided on flange portion  105  on one side of hook portion  110  and a second groove  117  on the other end.  
         [0065]     As seen in  FIG. 1 , a pair of such brackets  100  are provided, each snapping into position in slots  116  (see also  FIG. 2 ) in rack  11 . This is clearly shown in  FIG. 28  wherein hook portion  109  enters slot  116  and rib  12  snaps into groove  113 . Nub  111  overlies and abuts against an adjacent lower rib  12  whereas the same rib  12  snaps into hook portion  110  abutting against extension portion  115 . Lower nub  112  abuts against an adjacent lower rib  12 . Header  101 , shown in dotted lines in  FIG. 27 , is now placed between brackets  100 . Pointed extensions  118  are provided on each bracket  100  which snap into the header  101  to hold the same in fixed position.  
         [0066]     As shown in  FIGS. 29 through 36 , a basket holder  119  ( FIG. 35 ) and basket  120  may be provided for rack  11 . Basket holder  119  comprises a bracket  121  ( FIG. 29 ) generally trapezoidal in configuration, having an extension portion  122  at its smaller end  123  with a V-shaped slot  124  therein. As seen in  FIG. 35 , bracket  121  also has a second extension portion  125  with a V-shaped slot  126  therein extending from the smaller end  123  of bracket  121  to extension portion  122 .  
         [0067]     As seen in  FIG. 30 , a hook portion  127  extends from the rear of bracket  121  below the upper end  128  thereof. A pair of locking members  129 ,  132  also extend from the rear of bracket  121  below hook portion  127  (see also  FIGS. 32 and 34 ). As seen in  FIG. 31 , each locking member  129  has a locking tooth  130 ,  131 , respectively, extending outwardly on each side thereof (see also  FIG. 33 ).  
         [0068]     Basket holder  119  snaps into aligned openings  15  in rack  11  as seen in  FIG. 36 . Hook  127  snaps under rib  12  whereas locking members  129 ,  132  enter a slot  15 , spaced one slot away from where hook  127  enters, and snaps into position therein, the locking teeth  130 ,  131  locking rib  15  between teeth  129 ,  132  and flanges  135 ,  136  ( FIG. 33 ) spaced therefrom.  
         [0069]     Basket  120 ,  FIG. 35 , has a front basket portion  137  and a rear integral flap portion  138 . Flap portion  138  has a V-shaped slot  139  and snaps over the portion  140  ( FIG. 30 ) of basket holder  119  interconnecting bracket  121  and hook portion  127 . Thus, basket  120  is firmly held in position to basket holder  119  and objects can be placed into the interior  141  ( FIG. 35 ) of basket  120 .  
         [0070]     Referring now to  FIG. 37  of the drawing, a stand or support  200  for mounting the rack  11  so as to display a plurality of objects thereon is shown. The support  200  is comprised of a bottom portion  201  secured to a top portion  202 . Bottom portion  201  includes a front wall  203  that is generally rectangular sloping inwardly form the bottom to top thereof. Bottom portion  201  includes integral spaced side walls  204 ,  205  (see  FIG. 38 ) and generally planar rectangular rear walls  206  and  213  ( FIG. 39 ) which taper inwardly and upwardly from the bottom to top thereof similar to front wall  203 .  
         [0071]     As seen in  FIGS. 37 and 38 , and as will be discussed further hereinbelow, bottom portion  201  is formed of two abutting sections that meet at line  207 .  
         [0072]     Top portion  202  connects to bottom portion  201  at line  208  and is comprised of an upper generally square-shaped wall  209  sloping outwardly and downwardly from the top thereof to an inwardly extending generally rectangular wall  210 . A part of side walls  211 ,  212  ( FIGS. 37 and 38 ) interconnect front walls  209 ,  210  to aforementioned rear wall  213  ( FIG. 39 ).  
         [0073]     As seen in  FIG. 37 , the intersection of front wall  209  with each side wall  211 ,  212  is comprised of a row of spaced outwardly extending flags  214  which may be cut 0 out of wall  209 , as well be discussed.  
         [0074]     The stand or support  200  provides a firm base for mounting rack thereon as seen in  FIG. 38 . The flaps  214  enter the spaced slots  15  ( FIG. 1 ) along the right and left sides of rack  11 . Hooks  30  can then be mounted on rack  11 , as previously discussed, and display packages  215  can be mounted on hooks  30 . The center of gravity of support  200  is such that a substantial amount of weight via packages  215  can be placed on it without tipping over.  
         [0075]     As seen in  FIG. 40 , bottom portion  201  is formed from a blank, which may be of cardboard or the like, having front wall  203 , which may have an elongated slot  216  for carrying the assembled bottom portion  201 . Wall  203  is connected at fold line  217  to a midpanel  218  connected via fold line  219  to rear wall  206 . Rear wall  206  is connected via fold line  220  to a base support panel  221 . Panel  221  is connected via fold lines  222 ,  223 , respectively, to flaps  224 ,  225 , respectively.  
         [0076]     Each flap  224 ,  225  has a slotted tab (tabs  226 ,  227 , respectively) for reasons to be discussed.  
         [0077]     Each side panels  204 ,  205  is each comprised of two parts. A first part  228  is connected, via fold line  229 , to front wall  203 . A second part  230  is connected via fold line  231  to first part  204 . A cut-out slot  232  is formed in part  230 . A pair of slots  233 ,  234  are provided at opposite ends of fold line  231 . Side panel  205  is a mirror image of side panel  204  and further description is unnecessary. Panels  204 ,  205  are generally triangular and part  230  is generally rectangular.  
         [0078]     Each side panel  211 ,  212  is comprised of two parts. For example, side panel  211  has a first part  235  connected via fold line  236  to panel  206 . A second part  237  is connected via fold line  238  to first part  235 . Part  235  is generally triangular and part  237  is generally rectangular.  
         [0079]     A cut-out slot  239  is formed in part  237  and a pair of slots  240 ,  241  are provided at each end of fold line  238 . An extension flap  242  is provided on second part  237 , connected thereto via fold line  244  terminating in an enlarged head  243 . Side panel  212  is a mirror image of panel  211 .  
         [0080]     The blank of  FIG. 40  is folded, as shown in  FIG. 41 , so that parts  237 ,  230  abut against each other and bottom panel  221  is folded to form a base. Slots  226 ,  227  engage slots  233  and heads  243  enter slots  232 ,  239 . The final assembly of the blank of  FIG. 40  is shown in  FIGS. 37 and 38 .  
         [0081]     Top portion  202  is connected via fold line  244  to panel  210  which in turn is connected via fold line  245  to a flap  246 . Side panels  211 ,  212  are each formed of 3 sections, a first section  247  hinged to a second section  248 , along fold line  249 , and a third portion  250  hinged to second portion  248  along fold line  251 . Portions  247 ,  248 ,  250  each have a slot thereon, as slots  252 ,  253 ,  254 , respectively. Side  212  is a mirror image of side  211  and further discussion is deemed unnecessary. Tabs  214  are cut-out of panel  202  along its intersection with portions  211 ,  212 .  
         [0082]     As seen in  FIG. 43 , panel  246  is folded inwardly along fold line  245  as is panel  210  along fold line  244 .  
         [0083]     Second section  248  is folded along the cut-out tabs  214 . Sections  247 ,  248 ,  250  are folded inwardly.  
         [0084]     As seen in  FIGS. 37 and 38 , when assembled, lower portion  201  has a pair of slots (at line  208  in  FIGS. 37 and 38 ) formed on each side of panel  218 , the downwardly extending sections  247 ,  248 ,  250  of sides  211 ,  212  of top portion  202  being inserted down through these slots at lines  208  forming the assembled structure in  FIGS. 37 and 38 . Thus, a firm solid support is provided for rack  11 .  
         [0085]     Although a particular embodiment of the invention is disclosed, variations thereof may occur to an artisan and the scope of the invention should only be limited by the scope of the appended claims.  
         [0086]     As seen in  FIG. 43 , panel  246  is folded inwardly along fold line  245  as is panel  210  along fold line  244 .  
         [0087]     Second section  248  is folded along the cut-out tabs  214 . Sections  247 ,  248 ,  250  are folded inwardly.  
         [0088]     As seen in  FIGS. 37 and 38 , when assembled, lower portion  201  has a pair of slots (at line  208  in  FIGS. 37 and 38 ) formed on each side of panel  218 , the downwardly extending sections  247 ,  248 ,  250  of sides  211 ,  212  of top portion  202  being inserted down through these slots at lines  208  forming the assembled structure in  FIGS. 37 and 38 . Thus, a firm solid support is provided for rack  11 .  
         [0089]     Although a particular embodiment of the invention is disclosed, variations thereof may occur to an artisan and the scope of the invention should only be limited by the scope of the appended claims.