Abstract:
An upright product merchandiser that increases the space available for displaying products such as cross-merchandised products without interfering with shelved products, is disclosed. The product merchandiser includes a first elongate rung and a second elongate rung which is spaced apart from the first elongate rung. The first and second elongate rungs extend generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the product merchandiser. A plurality of V-shaped rungs are spaced apart from each other and extend generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the product merchandiser. Each V-shaped rung includes a first leg and a second leg that diverge from an apex. The first leg of each V-shaped rung is joined to a first elongate rung, and the second leg of each V-shaped rung is joined to a second elongate rung. The first legs of the V-shaped rungs cooperate with the first elongate rung to define a first side of the product merchandiser, and the second legs of the V-shaped rungs cooperate with the second elongate rung to define a second side of the product merchandiser. The first and second legs of the V-shaped rungs are each adapted to removably support an associated hanger for holding merchandise. At least one support clip engages the first and second elongate rungs, and engages with a mounting clip of an associated shelving unit to removably secure the product merchandiser to the shelving unit.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to point-of-purchase product holders that display merchandise. More particularly, it relates to a configurable, V-shaped, upright product merchandiser that increases the space available for displaying merchandise without interfering with other shelved products. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Businesses use a wide variety of devices to display and market products to consumers. One ubiquitous way of displaying products in a retail environment involves the use of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending display shelves. A common marketing strategy, generally referred to as cross-merchandising, is to display synergistically related items together (e.g. cake mixes and birthday cake candles; flashlights and batteries; tooth paste and tooth brushes, and the like). For obvious reasons, it is not an efficient utilization of scarce, and thus valuable, shelf space, nor an effective marketing strategy, to place, for instance, birthday candles at the end of fifteen to twenty feet of cake mixes. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,346,166 and 5,683,003 generally disclose strip merchandiser hanger assemblies that display merchandise in front of a horizontal shelving unit. For example, the disclosed strip merchandiser hanger assemblies can be used to display birthday cake candles directly in front of cake mixes, rather than adjacent to the cake mixes. The disclosed hanger assemblies are adapted to support generally opposite facing plastic strip merchandisers at any location along the horizontal shelving unit. The plastic strip merchandisers each include uniformly spaced tabs, or triple-finger locking mechanisms that releasably grip the displayed merchandise. 
     One clear problem with these known strip merchandiser hangers is that the associated plastic strip merchandisers cannot be conveniently and cost-effectively configured or reconfigured, if at all, to support different types of merchandise. That is, no single strip merchandiser can support different products such as large products, small products, heavy products, and/or light-weight products, etc. (e.g. blister packs of different sized batteries) at the same time. 
     Accordingly, it is considered desirable to provide a new and improved upright product merchandiser that overcomes the foregoing difficulties and others while providing better and more advantageous results. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principal object of the present invention is to provide an upright product merchandiser that increases the space available for displaying products such as cross-merchandised products without interfering with shelved products. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a product merchandiser frame includes a first elongate rung, and a second elongate rung spaced from the first elongate rung. The first and second elongate rungs extend generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of the product merchandiser. A plurality of V-shaped rungs are spaced apart from each other and extend generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the product merchandiser. Each V-shaped rung include a first leg and a second leg that diverge from an apex. The first leg of each V-shaped rung is joined to the first elongate rung, and the second leg of each V-shaped rung is joined to the second elongate rung The first legs of the V-shaped rungs cooperate with the first elongate rung to define a first side of the product merchandiser, and the second legs of the V-shaped rungs cooperate with the second elongate rung to define a second side of the product merchandiser. The first and second legs of the V-shaped rungs are each adapted to removably support an associated hanger for holding merchandise. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a product merchandiser includes a frame with a first rung, and a second rung spaced from the first rung. The first and second rungs extend generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of the product merchandiser. A plurality of third rungs are spaced apart from each other, and each extend generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the product merchandiser. Each third rung has a first leg and a second leg, the first leg being joined to the first rung and the second leg being joined to the second rung. At least one support clip is adapted to selectively engage the first and second rungs, and engage with an associated mounting clip of an associated shelving unit. 
     In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, a product merchandising system that is secured to a shelving unit for displaying products is disclosed. The product merchandising system includes a frame including a first rung, and a second rung spaced from the first rung. The first and second rungs extend generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of the frame. A plurality of third rungs are spaced apart from each other with each extending generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the frame. Each third rung has a first leg and a second leg. The first leg is joined to the first rung and the second leg is joined to the second rung. At least one support clip selectively engages with the first and second rungs. At least one mounting clip secures the frame to the support surface. The at least one support clip is selectively supported by the at least one mounting clip. 
     One advantage of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved upright product merchandiser that is configurable and reconfigurable. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of an upright product merchandiser that is sturdy and can accommodate a large amount of the same type or different types of merchandise, even heavy merchandise, in a small amount of space. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of an upright product merchandiser that incorporates a plurality of movable hooks for configuring and reconfiguring the merchandiser. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of an upright product merchandiser that can be positioned and repositioned horizontally and vertically relative to a shelving system. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is the provision of an upright product merchandiser that can easily accommodate products of varying sizes. 
     Yet a further advantage of the present invention is the provision of an upright product merchandiser that can be easily assembled and disassembled without the need for tools. 
     Still further advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment(s) and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an upright product merchandiser that incorporates the features of the present invention therein; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an upper portion of the upright product merchandiser of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded top view of the upright product merchandiser of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective view of an upper portion of the upright product merchandiser of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the upright product merchandiser of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the upper portion of the upright product merchandiser of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bracket for mounting the upright product merchandiser of the present invention to a conventional gondola-type shelf; 
     FIG. 8 a  is a partial section view illustrating a first step in securing the mounting bracket of FIG. 7 to a gondola-type shelf; 
     FIG. 8 b  is a partial section view illustrating a second step in securing the mounting bracket of FIG. 7 to the gondola-type shelf; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a front portion of a conventional gondola-type shelf with the mounting bracket of FIG. 7 secured thereto; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the front portions of a plurality of adjacent gondola-type shelves each having a mounting bracket of FIG. 7 secured thereto; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of a conventional gondola-type in-line upright and a plurality of second mounting brackets secured to the upright, which mounting brackets support the product merchandiser of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of a conventional gondola-type end cap upright and a plurality of third mounting brackets secured to the upright that support the product merchandiser of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fourth bracket for mounting the upright product merchandiser of the present invention to a warehouse-type rack system; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portion of a warehouse-type rack system with i) a plurality of mounting brackets of FIG. 13 secured to an upright thereof, ii) a plurality of fifth brackets for mounting the upright product merchandiser of the present invention to a plurality of lateral beams of the warehouse-type rack system, and iii) a sixth bracket for mounting the upright product merchandiser of the present invention to a single lateral beam of the warehouse-type rack system; 
     FIG. 15 a  is a partial section view illustrating a first step in securing the mounting bracket of FIG. 13 to the upright of the warehouse-type rack system of FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 15 b  is a partial section view illustrating a second step in securing the mounting bracket of FIG. 15 a  to the upright of the warehouse-type rack system of FIG. 14; and 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of a peg board/slot wall-type merchandising system with a plurality of seventh brackets for securing the upright product merchandiser of the present invention to the peg board/slot wall. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to FIG. 1, a configurable and reconfigurable, upright, product merchandiser  10  includes a rack or frame  12  and at least one, and preferably two or more support clips  14  that removably secure the frame  12  to a shelving unit. The frame  12  includes a plurality of generally V-shaped rungs  16  and elongate rungs  18 . Certain terminology is used herein to describe the product merchandiser  10  for convenience in reference only, and is not to be construed as limiting. For example, the V-shaped rungs  16  are generally “horizontally” oriented, and are spaced apart in a “vertically” stacked configuration, while the elongate rungs  18  extend generally “vertically” or perpendicular to the V-shaped rungs  16  along a longitudinal axis of the frame  12 . 
     In the embodiment being described the rungs  16 ,  18  are each formed from a metal wire or rod such as an ⅛″, {fraction (3/16)}″, ¼″, etc. diameter metal wire or rod. Referring to FIG. 3, each rung  16  is formed by bending a wire rod to form two legs  16   a ,  16   b  that diverge from an apex or point  16   c . It is contemplated that the leg  16   a  can be oriented at any angle from the leg  16   b , such as within the range of about 10° to about 90°, and preferably within the range of about 40° to about 60 °. 
     With continued reference to FIG. 3, the free ends of each leg  16   a ,  16   b  are secured, such as by spot welding, to respective elongate rungs  18   a ,  18   b . Additionally, the legs  16   a ,  16   b  can be welded, at intermediate portions thereof, to additional elongate rungs  18   c ,  18   d  in order to increase the structural integrity of the product merchandiser frame  12 . Alternatively, or in addition to the elongate rungs  18   c ,  18   d , it is contemplated that increased structural integrity can be obtained by welding an elongate rung  20  to the inner apex or tip  16   c  of each V-shaped rung  16 . 
     Still referring to FIG. 3, the legs  16   a  of the V-shaped rungs  16 , and the elongate rungs  18   a ,  18   c  cooperate to define a first side  22  of the frame  12 , and the other legs  16   b  of the V-shaped rungs  16 , and the elongate rungs  18   b ,  18   d  cooperate to define a second side  24  of the frame  12 . Referring back to FIG. 1, a plurality of conventional metal or plastic hangers  26  are adapted to removably clip over the individual legs  16   a ,  16   b  that form the respective sides  22 ,  24  of the frame  12 . 
     With reference now to FIG. 2, the hangers  26  each include a base  28 , a hook portion  30  extending from an upper end of the base  28 , and a hanger arm  32  extending from a front surface of the base  28 . With the hook portion  30  engaging a first leg  16   a ′ of the frame  12 , a rear surface of the base  28  contacts a second leg  16   a ″ immediately below the first leg  16   a ′ so that the hanger arm  32  remains generally horizontal. Thus, when mounted to the frame  12 , the hanger arms  32  are adapted to support a wide variety of merchandise. It is contemplated that the free ends of the hanger arms can be turned or bent upward to prevent merchandise from inadvertently falling from the frame. 
     Referring again to FIG. 1, the hangers  26  can be positioned and repositioned to most effectively display a wide variety of cross-merchandised products. For instance, it is contemplated that one type of merchandise, such as birthday cake candles, can be displayed on hangers  26  that are clipped to the legs  16   a  associated with the first side  22  of the frame  12 , while photographic film (cross-merchandised with candles and cake mix) can be displayed on hangers  26  that are clipped to the legs  16   b  associated with the second side  24  of the frame  12 . Since a multi-roll package of photographic film typically requires more space than a blister pack or box of birthday candles, the position of the hangers on each side  22 ,  24  of the frame  12  can be adjusted to properly accommodate, and thus maximize the display and arrangement of the different types of merchandise. 
     With reference again to FIG. 2, the support clip  14  includes an intermediate portion  34  having a central aperture  36  adapted to receive a conventional fastener  38  for securing the support clip and depending frame  12  to a shelving unit as described further below. The fastener  38  can be a so-called “Christmas tree” clip made of plastic material, or any other known type of fastener. Each end  40   a ,  40   b  of the intermediate support clip portion  34  is bent so as to extend at an acute angle relative to the intermediate portion  34 . The bent free end portions  40   a ,  40   b  cooperate with the intermediate portion  34  to define pockets  42 . 
     With reference now to FIG. 5, the frame  12  is mounted to each support clip  14  by slightly squeezing the free ends of the V-shaped rung legs  16   a ,  16   b  toward each other (i.e. in the direction of arrows  44 ) against a spring force that is generated when the rung legs  16   a ,  16   b  are repositioned. The vertical rungs  18   a ,  18   b  are then placed within the pockets  42 , and the squeezing force on the rung legs  16   a ,  16   b  is reduced to permit the vertical rungs  18   a ,  18   b  to expand into abutment with the clip  14 . The rung legs  16   a ,  16   b  remain urged against the clip  14  by the spring force that was generated when squeezing the rung legs  16   a ,  16   b  toward each other. It is contemplated that any number of support clips  14  can be used to support the frame  12 . As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the support clips  14  can be positioned any location relative to the longitudinal axis of the frame  12  as long as the free end portions  40   a ,  40   b  of the support clip  14  fall between adjacent V-shaped rungs  16 . 
     With reference now to FIG. 7, at least one mounting bracket  50  can be used to secure the product merchandiser  10  to a shelving unit. The mounting bracket  50  includes a planar intermediate portion  52  with a slot  54  therethrough; a plurality of tabs  56  extending from a back edge of the intermediate portion  52 ; and a hook portion  58  extending from a front edge of the intermediate portion  52 . An aperture  60  extends through a front wall  62  of the hook portion  58 . 
     Referring to FIG. 9, the mounting bracket  50  is adapted to secure the product merchandiser  10  to a conventional gondola-type shelf  63  having an upper surface  64  with a plurality of rows of apertures  66  therethrough. With reference to FIG. 8 a , the tabs  56  are sized and spaced to fit within apertures  66 . Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8 b , the bracket is pivoted downward until a lower surface of the intermediate portion  52  abuts the upper surface  64  of the shelf  63 . The bracket  50  can be fastened to the shelf by the use of a conventional fastener  68  that passes through the bracket slot  54  and through a further aperture  66  of the shelf. The fastener  68  can be of any conventional type, such as discussed in regard to the fastener  38  above. In a mounted position of the bracket  50 , the bracket hook portion  58  extends over the front edge of the shelf  63 . 
     The bracket hook portion  58  is adapted to receive the intermediate portion  34  of the support clip  14 . The support clip  14  is secured to the mounting bracket  50  with the fastener  38  (FIG.  2 ). That is, the fastener  38  passes through the aperture  36  of the support clip intermediate portion  34  and through the aperture  60  of the mounting bracket hook portion  58  to secure the support clip  14  and depending frame  12  to the mounting bracket  50 , and thus the shelf  63 . With reference to FIG. 10, the product merchandiser  10  of the present invention can be secured to multiple shelves  63  of a shelving unit by using a number of mounting brackets  50  and support clips  14  in the manner described above. 
     Referring now to FIG. 11, the product merchandiser  10  can also be secured to a known in-line upright  70  associated with a gondola-type shelving unit. The in-line upright  70  includes a plurality of slotted apertures  72  through a front wall  74  thereof. A mounting bracket  76  includes a base portion  78  with means such as tabs or hooks that engage with corresponding apertures  72  to support a cantilevered arm  80  that extends from the base  78 . A hook portion  82  extends from a free end of the cantilevered arm  80 . An aperture  84  extends through a front wall  86  of the hook portion  82 . 
     The bracket hook portion  82  is adapted to receive the intermediate portion  34  of the product merchandiser support clip  14 . The support clip  14  is secured to the mounting bracket  76  with a fastener such as fastener  38  (FIG.  2 ). That is, the fastener  38  passes through the aperture  36  of the support clip intermediate portion  34  and through the aperture  84  of the mounting bracket hook portion  82  to secure the support clip  14  and depending frame  12  to the mounting bracket  76 , and thus the upright  70 . As illustrated in FIG. 11, multiple mounting brackets  76  can be used to secure the product merchandiser  10  to the upright  70 . 
     With reference now to FIG. 12, the product merchandiser  10  can also be secured to a known end-cap upright  90  associated with a gondola-type shelving unit. The in-line upright  90  includes a plurality of slotted apertures  92  through opposing side walls  94  thereof. A mounting bracket  96  includes a central hook portion  98  and bent wire clasps  100  extending from each side edge of the hook portion  98 . The clasps  100  are adapted to engage with corresponding slotted apertures  92  to secure the mounting bracket  96  to the end-cap upright  90 . The central hook portion  98  includes a front wall  102  with an aperture  104  therethrough. 
     The bracket hook portion  98  is adapted to receive the intermediate portion  34  of the product merchandiser support clip  14 . The support clip  14  is secured to the mounting bracket  96  with a fastener such as fastener  38  (FIG.  2 ). That is, the fastener  38  passes through the aperture  36  of the support clip intermediate portion  34  and through the aperture  104  of the mounting bracket hook portion  98  to secure the support clip  14  and depending frame  12  to the mounting bracket  96 , and thus the upright  90 . As illustrated in FIG. 12, multiple mounting brackets  96  can be used to secure the product merchandiser  10  to the upright  90 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 14, the product merchandiser  10  can also be secured to various support members of a warehouse-type shelving system  110  such as an upright  112 , lateral beams  114 , and/or lateral beam  115 . The warehouse-type upright  112  includes pairs of adjacent key-hole type apertures  116  extending through a front wall  118  thereof. Each key-hole aperture  116  includes an enlarged portion  116   a  and a narrow slot portion  116   b.    
     With reference to FIG. 13, a bracket  120  for mounting the product merchandiser  10  to the warehouse-type upright  112  includes a hook portion  122  that is attached (e.g. spot welded) to a wire clasp  124 . The wire clasp  124  is formed or otherwise bent into a generally inverted U-shape with two downwardly projecting rungs  126 ,  128 . The lower free ends of each rung  126 ,  128  are each bent to form a generally S-shaped hook portion  130  for engaging with a respective key-hole aperture  116 . An upper closed portion  132  of the clasp  124  is bent to form two projections  134 . Each projection  134  engages with a corresponding key-hole aperture  116 . The hook portion  122  includes a front wall  136  with an aperture  138  therethrough. 
     With reference now to FIG. 15 a , the bracket  120  is mounted to the upright  112  by inserting the downwardly projecting hook portions  130  into the slot portions  116   b  of corresponding key-hole apertures  116 . Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15 b , the bracket  120  is pivoted to engage the projections  134  into corresponding key-hole apertures  116 . More particularly, a lower rung  134   a  of each projection  134  is inserted into a slot portion  116   b  of a corresponding key-hole aperture  116 , and the upper rung  134   b  of each projection  134  engages an upper edge of the corresponding key-hole aperture  116 . The height H (FIG. 15 a ) of each projection  134  is slightly greater that the size of the key-hole aperture  116  so that the rungs  134   a ,  134   b  of each projection are urged toward each other against a spring force when the projection  134  is inserted into the aperture  116 , thereby locking the bracket  120  to the upright  112 . 
     The bracket hook portion  122  is adapted to receive the intermediate portion  34  of the support clip  14 . The support clip  14  is secured to the mounting bracket  120  with a fastener such as fastener  38  (FIG.  2 ). That is, the fastener passes through the aperture  36  of the support clip intermediate portion  34  and through the aperture  138  of the mounting bracket hook portion  122  to secure the support clip  14  and depending frame  12  to the mounting bracket  120 , and thus the warehouse upright  112 . With reference again to FIG. 14, the product merchandiser  10  of the present invention can be secured to the upright  112  of the shelving unit  110  by using multiple mounting brackets  120  and support clips  14  in the manner described above. 
     With continued reference to FIG. 14, the product merchandiser  10  can also be secured to multiple lateral beams  114  of the warehouse-type shelving system  110 . In this case, a separate mounting bracket  140  is secured to each of the beams  114 . The mounting brackets  140  include a planar portion  142  and a hook portion  144  extending from a front edge of the planar portion  142 . It is contemplated that the planar portion  142  can include the same or similar tabs  56  and/or slot  54  as the mounting bracket  50  (FIG.  7 ). As with the mounting bracket  50 , the slot can be aligned with a corresponding aperture associated with the beam  114  so as to receive a fastener, such as the fastener  68  associated with the mounting bracket  50  of FIG.  7 . 
     With continued reference to FIG. 14, the hook portion  144  includes a front wall  146  with an aperture  148  therethrough. The bracket hook portion  144  is adapted to receive the intermediate portion  34  of the product merchandiser support clip  14 . The support clip  14  is secured to the mounting bracket  96  with a fastener such as fastener  38  (FIG.  2 ). That is, the fastener  38  passes through the aperture  36  of the support clip intermediate portion  34  and through the aperture  148  of the mounting bracket hook portion  144  to secure the support clip  14  and depending frame  12  to the mounting bracket  140 , and thus the beam  114 . As illustrated in FIG. 14, multiple mounting brackets  140  secure the product merchandiser  10  to the warehouse-type shelving system  110 . 
     Alternatively, a compound mounting bracket  150  can be used to secure the product merchandiser  10  to a single lateral beam  115  of the warehouse-type shelving system  110 . The mounting bracket  150  includes a planar portion  152  that is bent to form at least a first leg portion  152   a  and a second leg portion  152   b  that extends at approximately a right angle to the first leg  152   a.    
     The leg portion  152   a  can include the same or similar tabs and/or a slot as the mounting bracket  50  (FIG.  7 ). As with the mounting bracket  50 , the slot can be aligned with a corresponding aperture associated with the beam  115  so as to receive a fastener, such as fastener  68  associated with the mounting bracket  50  of FIG. 7. A plurality of hook portions  154  (e.g. two) are spaced apart and secured to the leg portion  152   b . Each hook portion  154  includes a front wall  156  with an aperture  158  therethrough. 
     The bracket hook portions  154  are adapted to receive the intermediate portion  34  of a product merchandiser support clip  14 . Each support clip  14  is secured to a respective hook portion  154  with a fastener such as fastener  38  (FIG.  2 ). That is, the fastener passes through the aperture  36  of the support clip intermediate portion  34  and through the aperture  158  of the respective hook portion  154  to secure the support clip  14  and depending frame  12  to the mounting bracket  150 , and thus the beam  115 . 
     With reference now to FIG. 16, the product merchandiser  10  can also be secured to a conventional peg board/slot wall  160  of a shelving system. The peg board  160  can include a plurality of apertures and/or dove-tail type slots  162 . A bracket  164  for mounting the product merchandiser  10  to the peg board  160  includes a hook portion  166  and at least two clasps  168  extending upward from a rear surface of the hook portion  166 . Each of the clasps  164  are formed or otherwise bent to form a generally L-shaped rung that extends above the hook portion  166 . The upper free ends of the rungs are adapted to engage with the apertures/slots  162  associated with the peg board  160 . The hook portion  166  includes a front wall  170  with an aperture  172  therethrough. 
     The bracket hook portion  166  is adapted to receive the intermediate portion  34  of the product merchandiser support clip  14 . The support clip  14  is secured to the mounting bracket  164  with a fastener such as fastener  38  (FIG.  2 ). That is, the fastener passes through the aperture  36  of the support clip intermediate portion  34  and through the aperture  172  of the mounting bracket hook portion  166  to secure the support clip  14  and depending frame  12  to the mounting bracket  164 , and thus the peg board  160 . As illustrated in FIG. 16, multiple mounting brackets  164  can be used to secure the product merchandiser  10  to the peg board  160 . 
     The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. For instance, it is contemplated that the product merchandiser of the present invention can be formed from materials other that metal rods or wires, such as an injection molded elastomeric or plastic material. Further, any suitable method for joining, securing, or otherwise attaching the V-shaped rungs to the elongate rungs is contemplated.