Display rack

A display rack for bolts of fabric and the like includes a plurality of freely rotatable display arms mounted on an elongated support member. In a prefered embodiment of the invention, two tiers of display arms are disposed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to display devices. More particularly, the 
present invention pertains to display devices for garments, bolts of 
fabric and the like. Even more particularly, the present invention relates 
to display devices provided with a plurality of freely rotatable support 
arms upon which are mounted items to be displayed, such as, garments, 
fabrics and the like. 
2. Prior Art 
There has been disclosed heretofore a plurality of display devices for use 
in displaying garments, fabrics and other paraphenalia. 
For example, German Pat. No. 519,439 teaches a display device wherein an 
L-shaped arm is inserted completely through a pair of spaced apart posts. 
Pairs of registering apertures are provided in the support posts which 
receive therethrough a leg of the L-shaped arms. The device shown by the 
German patent is U-shaped and is restrictive of motion of the L-shaped 
arms. 
British Pat. No. 215,652 teaches a device for hanging trousers wherein a 
support member has its terminal end provided with a blind hole into which 
is inserted a supporting rod over which the trousers are draped. However, 
the structure accorded the display device is complex and not readily 
adaptable for use in public displays and the like, nor are the rods freely 
rotatable. 
Another type of display device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,240,611 
wherein an L-shaped arm is inserted completely through pairs of 
registering apertures provided on legs of wall mounted brackets. This 
display device is utilized for displaying maps. 
Other display devices of the type under consideration herein are shown in 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 992,105; 1,097,755 and 2,364,275. 
However, with respect to the present invention the prior art fails to 
accommodate the present day needs of "self-serve" display devices wherein 
the goods displayed thereon must be readily visible, inspectable and 
removable therefrom. 
As is known, in modern day shopping stores bolts of fabric and the like are 
ordinarily stacked on tables or other platforms in a vertical array. This 
mode of display inhibits the visibility, inspectability and removability 
of such goods, especially those not near or at the top of the stack. 
Moreover, by the close of a business day, the stacks are completely 
disturbed. Thus, man power is required, almost constantly, to re-arrange 
and rotate the stacks. Therefore, an extremely useful and efficacious 
device would be provided which is amenable to present day shopping modes 
and which overcomes the inconvenience pointed out herein. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a free standing display device for garments, 
bolts of fabric and the like. The device hereof includes an elongated 
support means comprising two vertically spaced apart support members. The 
uppermost support member is provided with a throughbore which is in 
registry with a partial bore provided in the lower member of the support 
means. 
An L-shaped display rod or arm has one leg thereof insertable into the 
registering apertures and the other leg thereof extending in a horizontal 
axis away therefrom. The other leg has a garment, bolt of fabric or the 
like draped thereover. 
By the structure accorded the present invention, the rods or arms are 
freely rotatable in a horizontal plane. 
In an alternate embodiment of the invention the spaced apart vertical 
supports include inwardly projecting, opposed, vertically-extending 
members. The members, each, have a plurality of apertures provided along 
the extent, thereof. The support means include apertures at the ends 
thereof which register with the apertures of the members associated with 
the vertical supports. Fastening means interconnect the support means to 
the members. In this manner the support means thereof is rendered 
vertically adjustable. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention two tiers of support 
means are deployed, each having a plurality of registering bores or 
apertures formed therein. Thus, a plurality of display arms are also 
included in the preferred embodiment thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Now with reference to the drawing, in particular FIG. 1, there is depicted, 
in accordance with the present invention, a free standing display device, 
generally indicated at 10, particularly adapted for displaying bolts of 
fabric 12, garments and the like. The display device 10 generally includes 
elongated support means 14 which supports a freely rotatable display rod 
or arm 16 over which the fabric bolt 12 or the like is draped. 
With more specificity and with reference to FIGS. 1-4, the display device 
10 hereof comprises a pair of upstanding elongated support posts 18, 20. 
As will subsequently be described, the support posts 18, 20 provide 
lateral support to the elongated support means 14. 
A pair of legs 22, 24 is disposed at the lower end of each of the support 
posts, 18, 20 respectively. Each leg of each pair is secured at one end 
thereof, to its respective post by any suitable fastening means, such as a 
nut and bolt combination 26. As shown in the drawing each leg of each pair 
is inclined with respect to the other leg of such pair at an acute angle 
to provide stability to the display device. Optionally, cap members 28 are 
placed over the free ends of the legs to protect the ground surface upon 
which the device 10 is placed, in a manner well known. 
The support means 14 extends between and abuts against the support posts 
18, 20 and is secured thereto by any suitable means (not shown) such as by 
gluing, threaded fasteners, nails and the like. 
As clearly shown in FIGS. 2-4, the support means 14 comprises a pair of 
vertically spaced apart first and second members 30, 32 respectively. The 
support members 30, 32 are coextensive and are substantially parallel to 
each other. The first or uppermost member 30 is provided with at least one 
aperture or throughbore 34. Preferably, a plurality of such throughbores 
34 are provided along the extent of the member 30 and are, optimally, 
equidistantly spaced apart. 
The second or lower member 32 is provided with at least one bore or 
aperture 36. The bore 36 is only a partial bore, such that its terminus 
defines a seat 38. Preferably, and as shown, a plurality of partial bores 
are provided along the extent of the lower member 32. In accordance with 
the present invention, each, respective, throughbores 34 and partial bores 
36 are in registry and co-axially aligned. 
The present invention, as noted, further includes at least one freely 
rotatable display rod or arm 16. The display rod or arm 16 is, preferably, 
L-shaped and comprises first and second legs 40 and 42, respectively, 
either of which is insertable into an associated throughbore 34 and 
partial bore 36 to securely mount the arm 16 onto the support means 14. As 
clearly shown in FIG. 3, preferably, the lower member 32 is vertically 
placed from the upper member 30 a predetermined distance such that the end 
44 of the inserted leg 40 of the rod 16 abuts against the seat 38 defined 
by the terminus of the partial bore 36. 
In accordance with the present invention, and as defined by the natural 
orientation of the device 10, the free or other leg 42 of the rod 16 
extends in a horizontal plane. Because of the dimensioning of the bores 
34, 36, diameter-wise, the rod 16 is stable and non-rotatable in a 
vertical plane. However, the rod 16 is freely rotatable in the horizontal 
plane alluded to hereinbefore and is, thus, variably positionable. This 
feature enables goods, such as, the bolt 12 to be readily inspected by a 
potential purchaser thereof. 
As shown in the drawing, preferably, there is a display rod associated with 
each pair of throughbore and registering partial bore. Moreover, the 
display rods are preferably formed from a strong, rigid materials to 
support the weight of the goods placed thereon. Thus, materials such as 
steel, reinforced plastics and the like can be utilized in ofrming the 
rods 16. 
In order not to detract from the visibility of goods and to reinforce the 
stability of the support means 14, side or lateral panels 46, 48 are 
provided. The lateral panels 46, 48 extend beyond the length of the 
support means 14 to completely enclose same laterally. The panels are 
secured to the side edges of the upstanding posts at the ends thereof by 
any suitable means, such as threaded fasteners 50. The lateral panels are 
vertically dimensioned to be coincident with the vertical distance between 
the top surface of the upper member 30 and the bottom surface of the lower 
member 32. In this manner the lateral panels completely laterally enclose 
the support means 14. 
In practicing the present invention, and as shown in FIG. 1, the display 
rods 16 are inserted into the support means 14 in an array such that some 
of the legs 42 extend in a first horizontal direction. The remainder of 
the legs 42 extend in the opposite horizontal direction. To maximize 
useage of the device 10, the direction of the legs 42 in which they extend 
is staggered, as shown. 
Furthermore, and in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the 
instant display device 10 comprises a two-tiered structure. The two-tiered 
structure comprises two support means 14, 52, analogously constructed. The 
support means 14, 52 are vertically spaced apart a distance sufficient to 
accommodate a lower level of display rods 16 associated with the lower 
support means 52. 
The second support means 52, as noted, is constructed and deployed in a 
manner identical to that described with reference to support means 14. 
With reference to FIG. 5, there is depicted therein an alternate embodiment 
of the present invention, generally indicated at 110. In this embodiment, 
the support means 112 is constructed as hereinbefore described. However, 
the support means 112 thereof is provided with a plurality of throughbores 
114, 116, respectively. The bores 114 and 116 are provided on either side 
of the central axis of the support means 112, as shown, such that the 
bores 114 define a first row thereof and the bores 116 define a second row 
thereof, along the extent of the support means 112. 
Each bore 114 and 116 is in registry with a partial bore (not shown) 
provided in the lower surface (not shown) of the support means. 
In this embodiment of the invention, a display rod 118 is associated with 
each bore 114 or 116 and its associated partial bore (only two rods being 
shown). It is to be appreciated that the free legs 120 of the display rods 
118 associated with the row defined by the bores 114 extend in a first 
horizontal direction, when normally positioned. Concommitantly, the free 
legs 122 of the display rods 118 associated with the row defined by the 
bores 116 extend a second horizontal direction, when normally positioned. 
The second direction is opposite to the first direction. 
The present embodiment further includes a pair of spaced apart upstanding 
support posts 124, (only one being shown) of simpler construction than 
heretofore described. In accordance herewith, the support posts 124 
comprises an integral upward extension of the pairs of legs 126 
respectively. Thus, the upstanding posts 124 are, each, unitarily 
constructed with their, respective, pairs of legs 126. In essence, there 
is provided an inverted elongated U-shaped member having the ends of the 
legs thereof flared outwardly. 
Each upstanding post has an exterior enclosure 128 secured thereto in any 
suitable manner, such as by bolts or the like. 
To increase the stability of this embodiment of the invention, each pair of 
legs 126 includes a support brace 130. Each brace comprises a cross strut 
132 secured to its respective pair of legs 126 at each end thereof by any 
suitable means, as shown. A centrally disposed stabilizer 134 is 
integrally formed with or otherwise secured to its associated cross strut. 
The stabilizers extend angularly upwardly from their, respective, cross 
struts. The free ends of the stabilizers are secured to the under surface 
of the lower member of the lower support means, as shown. Thus, the 
support braces, as is apparent, increase the free standing stability of 
the device 110. 
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 there is depicted a further embodiment of 
the invention and, generally, denoted at 210. According to this embodiment 
of the invention, there is provided a pair of spaced apart vertically 
upstanding ground engaging support posts 212, only one of which is shown. 
An inwardly projecting member or support brace 214 is integrally formed 
with or otherwise connected to each of the posts 212. The member 214 
extends substantially along the length of the support post 212. In essence 
the member 214 and the post 212 cooperate to define a T-shaped support. As 
shown in the drawing, the member 214 is disposed centrally of the post 
212. The other member on the opposite post is opposed to the depicted post 
and analogously constructed thereto. A plurality of apertures 216 are 
provided through the member 214 along the extent thereof. The apertures 
are substantially equidistantly spaced and lie along a common axis. As 
will subsequently be shown, the apertures cooperate with fastening means 
to render the support means positionally adjustable. 
The support means of this embodiment is, generally, denoted at 218. The 
support means 218 comprises a pair of spaced apart outer bodies 220, 222. 
The outer bodies are parallel to each other and coextensive. The bodies 
220, 222 are spaced apart a predetermined distance such that their 
respective, opposed inner surfaces abut against the, respective, opposed 
outer surfaces of the member 214. Proximate each end of each body there is 
formed at least one aperture 224, 226. The aperture provided in one body 
is in registry with the aperture provided in the other body, to define or 
provide pairs of registering apertures. The apertures are formed in the 
bodies such that when the ends of the bodies abut against the inner 
surface of the post 212, the apertures 224, 226 lie along the common axis 
of the apertures 216. Thus, the support means 218 can be positionally 
adjusted or disposed along the extent of the support post 212. After the 
desired position is attained, the support means is secured in position via 
fastening means 228. Suitable fastening means, such as screws, can be 
disposed through a pair of registering apertures 224, 216 and a selected 
aperture 216 along the brace 214. A nut or bolt 230 can then be threadably 
connected to the free end of the screw in the known manner. 
The support means 218 further comprises a plurality of spacers 232. The 
spacers are disposed between the bodies 220, 222 along the extent thereof. 
The spacers 232 have a height substantially equal to that of the bodies 
220, 222. The spacers 232 are disposed along the extent of the space 
between the bodies in a predetermined array, such as to define gaps 234 
therebetween. The gaps 234 are substantially equal in width and are 
dimensioned to accomodate pairs of garment display rods 236, 238 
therewithin. 
The display rods 236 or 238 comprise substantially L-shaped members having 
first and second legs, one of the legs is frictionally retained in an 
associated gap 234. The other or free leg extends substantially 
perpendicular to the bodies. In accordance with the present invention, 
pairs of display rods 236, 238 are disposed in each gap and frictionally 
retained therewithin. Furthermore, the free leg of one rod extends in a 
first horizontal direction while the free leg of the other rod extends in 
a second, opposite horizontal direction, as shown. 
Thus, it is to be appreciated that the gaps 234 are dimensioned to 
frictionally retain pairs of display rods therewithin. Thus, the depth of 
the gap is substantially equal to or slightly less then the diameter of 
the leg of the display rod associated therewith. 
This embodiment of the present invention, also, contemplates support bars 
240 which extend between the support means 218 and the brace 214. The 
support bars interconnect the support means 218 to the brace by any 
suitable mode, and preferably have one end secured to one of the bodies. 
The other end has an obtuse bend and is insertable into any one of the 
apparatus 216. 
In practicing this embodiment of the invention it is preferred that there 
be employed a pair of spaced apart support means 218. 
It is to be further noted that any suitable materials of construction, such 
as, wood, plastic, aluminum, and the like can be efficaciously deployed in 
constructing the instant device. 
It is apparent from the preceding that there has been described herein a 
display device which is eminently useful in advantageously displaying and 
merchandising domestic goods in modern day stores.