Patent Publication Number: US-2005133470-A1

Title: Display rack

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates to display racks for drapable items, and more particularly to portable display racks for displaying items such as rugs in a cascading orientation.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The typical consumer of rugs desires to view the entire rug prior to purchase. With larger sizes of area rugs, display and access to full view inspection is often space prohibitive. Rugs may be displayed, for example, on a floor or table stacked on one another. However, due to the size and weight of most rugs, the rugs are often difficult to maneuver, and thus, do not allow the consumer to conveniently obtain a complete view of the front and back sides of the rug. Generally also, the one rug of interest to a particular customer is near the bottom of the entire stack.  
      Heretofore, it has also been known to display rugs with hanging assemblies, wherein the rugs are supported in hanging relation by a plurality of rotatable rug hangers and movable toward and away from each other so as to allow a consumer to obtain a view of the rug. However, such hanging assemblies require a large area of display surface, require substantial structural components, and are often difficult and time intensive to assemble. Other retailers would like to have a display that can be moved out of the way when desired, or movable to compare rugs with other products, such as material for draperies, flooring products or furniture.  
      Accordingly, there is a need for a rug display rack configured to provide the consumer with an acceptable view of the rug, while minimizing space requirements and assembly time for the vendor and improving the adaptability of uses for the display and its location.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Accordingly, the present invention is intended to address and obviate problems and shortcomings and otherwise improve previous display racks.  
      To achieve the foregoing and other objects and in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a display rack for a plurality of drapable items comprises a front face oriented at a first display angle and a retaining assembly associated with the front face. The retaining assembly comprises a plurality of laterally extending cross members spaced from one another in cascade configuration. Each of the cross members may include a first retainer edge.  
      To still further achieve the foregoing and other objects of the present invention, a display rack for a plurality of drapable items comprises a frame having a front face oriented at a first display angle and a rear section associated with the front face. The display rack further comprises a retaining assembly associated with the frame and comprises a plurality of laterally extending cross members spaced from one another in an angled cascade configuration. Each of the cross members may include a retainer edge.  
      Still other embodiments, combinations, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following descriptions wherein there are shown and described alternative exemplary embodiments of this invention for illustration purposes. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different aspects, objects and embodiments all without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings, objects, and description should be regarded as illustrative and exemplary in nature only and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the same will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary display rack of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a cross section view of  FIG. 1  along lines  2 - 2  illustrating a portion of several draped items between cross members in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged portion of  FIG. 2 , illustrating further detail of adjacent cross members of this embodiment; and  
       FIG. 4  is a partially cut out front view of the display rack of  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrating a plurality of draped items loaded on rack in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
      Referring to the drawing figures in detail, wherein like numerals indicate the same elements throughout the drawing figures,  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate an embodiment of a display rack and its components. Generally, the rack  10  may be supported on a display surface or floor  80 , but may also be hung from a vertical surface in another embodiment. The rack  10  and its components may be comprised of steel tubing or other durable material. In one embodiment, the rack  10  may stand approximately 5′ tall, 6′ wide and 3′ deep. Such dimensions are provided as an example which might allow rack to display  10  or so area rugs of up to about 6′×9′ in size. Of course, the rack  10  may be configured with any number of dimensions to display any number and sizes of rugs or similar drapable items (hereinafter the term “rugs” will be used to generally connote any drapable products to be displayed). Moreover, while rack  10  is generally illustrated with an angular and overall rectangular configuration, it is to be understood that it could equally be round in shape or include other such aesthetic designs to display rugs of all shapes. In addition, it is contemplated that one or more racks  10  can be placed generally back-to-back to display any desired number of rugs.  
      As will be discussed, rugs may be displayed by the rack  10  in a cascading or “tiled” configuration from the bottom up so that when fully loaded, the rack will display, and a customer can see, a portion of every rug without having to first flip the or move overlying rugs. The tiled arrangement, where the lower portion of numerous overlying rugs can be seen, is shown in  FIG. 4 . Again, while the rack  10  is described herein as being used to display rugs, it is contemplated that the rack may be used to display any number of drapable items including, for example, curtains, towels, or other such items.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , rack  10  comprises a frame  12  having a front face or display section  20  and a rear section  40 . Furthermore, as discussed later herein, rack  10  is illustrated as also comprising a retaining or cascade assembly  60 . As illustrated, frame  12  of rack  10  comprises a substantially unencumbered center portion. Front face  20  may include two front posts  22  each having a first end  24  and a second end  26 . If desired, as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 4  one or more transverse posts  27  may be secured between front posts  22 . As illustrated, posts  22  may be angled upwardly and rearwardly from the consumer to create a display angle α 1 . It has been found that such a display angle can contribute (along with the cascade assembly described later herein) to a “waterfall” type appearance which enhances visibility of the products and overall desirability of the display. As shown, α 1  is the angle between first end  24  and second end  26  of front post  22 . However, it is contemplated that an appropriate display angle may be measured between any portion of front post  22  and another part of the frame or the horizontal.  
      The display angle serves many functions. First, it is believed that the display angle gives the drapable items an aesthetically pleasing appearance to a consumer. More particularly, because all drapable items (e.g. rugs) are angled up toward an approaching consumer, the consumer is better able to capture a glimpse of all rugs, rather than just those toward the top (e.g.  FIG. 4 ). Another function of the display angle is to enhance stability of a loaded rack  10 . For example, and as discussed later herein, because the front face  20  is angled, first ends  24  of front posts  22  are positioned further away from rear posts  42 , thereby establishing a more stable, lower center of gravity of rack  10 . Of course, while rack  10  is described herein as having a display angle, it should be understood that in another embodiment, front face  20  may be substantially perpendicular with regard to the horizontal. Where an angled front face is desired, the display angle α 1  may be increased or decreased according to the overall size of the rack, the number and weight of the items to be displayed, floor space constraints and/or aesthetic preferences. In one embodiment, for example, display angle α 1  may be configured at approximately 166° to first end  24  of front post  22 .  
      As previously mentioned, front face  20  may comprise one or more transverse posts  27 . It is contemplated that transverse posts  27  will help hold the drapable items in a desired display configuration corresponding to the display angle chosen, and will prevent the items from simply hanging vertically between front posts  22 . In other embodiments, transverse posts  27  may be accomplished with any of a variety of configurations such as, for example, X-shaped beams extending between front posts  22 .  
      The rear section  40  may similarly comprise one or more posts (e.g. rear posts  42 ) each having a first end  44  and a second end  46 . As discussed later herein, second ends  46  of rear posts  42  may wrap around and be ultimately angled downwardly to form an attachment or resting surface  50  for accepting the retaining or cascade assembly  60 . Of course, it should be understood that rear posts  42  may be arranged in a number of embodiments configured to provide support and stability for the rack. If desired, for example, stabilizing posts  47  may be secured between front face and rear section  20  and  40 , respectively, with bolts, welds or other fastening arrangements to provide greater rigidity of the rack  10 . In another embodiment, stabilizing posts  47  may be used instead of rear section  40 . In such an embodiment stabilizing posts  47  may be secured to the front face, such as at front posts  22 , transverse posts  27 , or directly to retaining or cascade assembly  60  at one end and interface the floor at the other end (reminiscent of an easel). Stabilizing posts  47  could provide adequate support for the front face  20  and cascade assembly  60  thereby allowing rear section  40  to be partially or wholly eliminated. Also, as illustrated, one or more support post  49  may be secured between front posts and rear posts  22  and  42 , respectively, to further enhance stability.  
      As exemplified in  FIGS. 1-4 , each second end  26  and  46  of front and rear posts  22  and  42  may be configured to provide for attachment of cascade assembly  60 . In the embodiment illustrated, cascade assembly  60  may comprise two longitudinal arms  62  with a plurality of cross members  70  disposed therebetween. As discussed later herein, cross members  70  are configured to allow easy loading of a rug and to provide interference or “friction” to prevent a loaded rug or other drapable item from slipping down into the center of frame  12 . Arms  62  may also be used to removably secure cascade assembly to the front face and rear section  20  and  40 . For example, as illustrated, arms  62  may comprise proximal, medial and distal sections  64 ,  65  and  66 , respectively. In one embodiment, proximal section  64  of arm  62  may telescopingly interface with second end  26  of front post  22 , such as at junctions  67 . If desired, snap locks such as spring loaded detents or the like may be included to prevent the proximal section  64  of arm  62  from disengaging second end  26  of front post  22 . In another embodiment, proximal section  64  of arm  62  may be more intimately secured to front post  22  by any fastening arrangement. A roll bar  68  may be secured to distal section  66  of arm  62  for supporting turned rugs (discussed later herein) flipped back for viewing. Distal and medial sections  65  and  66  of arm  62  may be secured to second end  46  of rear post  42  with, for example, screws or other fasteners. This design facilitates easy breakdown for shipping or storage, as well as assembly upon delivery. Of course, it is contemplated that components of frame  12  may be arranged so that it can be permanently assembled.  
      As illustrated in the drawings, cascade assembly  60  can be secured at an angle (e.g. cascade angle α 2 ) relative to the front face  20 . In one embodiment, for example, the angle between cascade assembly  60  and front face  20  (cascade angle α 2 ) may be approximately 138°. Similar to display angle, this cascade angle may be measured with the horizontal in normal practice, or when a display angle is not desired. Of course, where a cascade angle differing from the display angle is implemented, cascade angle may be increased or decreased according to the overall size of the rack, the number and weight of the items to be displayed, floor space constraints and/or aesthetic preferences. It is anticipated that in any case, the cascade assembly will generally be angled rearwardly from the front face. In other words, angle α 2  will be effectively different than the display angle of the front face.  
      The cascade angle α 2  along with display angle α 1  contribute to a cascade configuration or “waterfall” type appearance of drapable items displayed by the rack  10 . While creation of a cascade angle that differs from the display angle is not critical, nor necessary to the present invention, it is believed that the differing angles can provide enhanced visibility and display effects as well as greater stability when the rack is loaded with rugs. For example, the display angle and cascade angle effectively open or spread out the frame  12  from front to rear. More particularly, the front posts  22  are further away from rear posts  42  as a result of the designed angles. This extended opening, coupled with the angle of the front face and cascade assembly (which help support the weight of the rugs), works to move the center of gravity of the rack forward and downward so that the rack can better accommodate its loaded weight. Moreover, this unique design, including the display and cascade angles, can be changed to “tune” a desired center of gravity according to the number and weight of the rugs to be displayed. In addition, as previously discussed, the design also allows items to be displayed in a pleasing and “viewable” manner, as discussed below.  
      As previously mentioned, cascade assembly  60  may comprise two arms  62  with a plurality of cross members  70  disposed therebetween. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , cross members  70  of cascade assembly  60  are reminiscent of a sideways “Z.” As a result of the adjacent, spaced cross members  70  configuration, lateral slots  71  are present between the cross members  70 . As discussed later herein, lateral slots  71  can be used to “load” or “unload” rugs onto the rack  10 , such as, for example, feeding one edge of the rug between the slots  71  and pulling it through to allow one end of the rug to drape within frame  12 . When the cascade assembly  60  is secured to frame  12 , the cross members  70  “cascade” upwardly and toward rear section  40  parallel second end  46  of rear post  42 . This orientation (as illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) allows the rugs to be stacked adjacent one another, but also provides desired spacing so that when viewing rugs from the front of the rack, a customer can get a glimpse of the first rug (at the lowermost point of front face, as seen best in  FIG. 4 ) and each rug adjacent the first rug (a portion of each displayed as the eye moves up the front face). Another benefit of this orientation (each progressive cross member  70  being positioned above the previous) is that a loaded rugs will drape substantially equidistantly into the center of the frame (assuming the rugs are of similar length) while maintaining a cascading appearance moving upward along front face (see  FIG. 4 ).  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a cross section of  FIG. 1  along points  2 - 2 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a blown up portion of  FIG. 2  to show cross member  70 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , in one embodiment, each cross member  70  may comprise a first retainer edge  72 , an extension plate  74  and a second retainer edge  76 . Each cross member  70  may be comprised of a unitary piece of steel which is bent to form retaining edges  72  and  76  and extension plate  74 . In another embodiment, cross members  70  may be comprised of any material and components configured to apply friction to a drapable item to prevent the item from falling to a surface.  
      As best seen in the enlarged view of  FIG. 3 , first retainer edge  72  may be used to secure a loaded rug as a result of its upward angled orientation. More particularly, the upward orientation of first retainer edge  72  creates a natural but non-destructive friction between a rug  100  and the cross member  70  thereby preventing the rugs from sliding either toward the center of the frame  12  or the front face  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , first retainer edge  72  extends substantially across the entire length of cross member  70  and cascade assembly  60  (with the exception of a portion beneath the arms  62 ). Such embodiment may be useful to create friction between a rug and a cross member substantially the entire length of the cascade assembly  60  or when more than one rug is to be displayed by an individual cross member  70 . In such case, several rugs of lesser width might be loaded into a particular slot in side by side relationship. In another embodiment, cross member  70  may comprise a serrated retainer edge or a plurality of first retainer edges (e.g. teeth or fingers) spatially arranged along cross member  70  and configured to provide friction between a rug and a cross member.  
      Second retainer edge  76  may be secured to arms  62  of cascade assembly  60 . Second retainer edge  76  may be secured to arms  62  with a weld, bolts or another fastening arrangement. In addition, although not necessary, second retainer edge  76  may be used to effectively define at least a portion of the spacing between adjacent space cross members  70 , thereby contributing to the spatial arrangement of the lateral slots  71 . Moreover, as discussed later herein, second retainer edge  76  may be used to create a natural but non-destructive friction between a rug  100  and the cross member  70  when a rug is flipped rearward.  
      As seen in  FIG. 3 , the overlapping arrangement of adjacent cross members and their spacing may help to impose a somewhat sinuous conformation to a loaded rug. As a result of such design and as seen in  FIGS. 2-3 , a rug  100  fed into a lateral slot  71  between adjacent cross members  70  will tend to take on a sinuous shape between contact points P 1  and P 2 . Such design creates additional friction between the rug  100  and first retainer edge  72 , thereby helping to prevent the rug from inadvertently slipping to the display surface either from the front face  20  or within the center of frame  12 . Additionally, extension plate  74  may also function to space first retainer edge  72  from second retainer edge  76 . The spacing may be needed to make up for the imbalance in gravity forces between the front display half and rear half of the rug.  
      As also seen in  FIG. 3 , cross members  70  may advantageously overlap or overlie at least a portion of an adjacent cross member. As mentioned, the extension plate  74  and/or a second edge  76  may cause the cross member to overlie or overlap, for example, the first edge  72  of a lower adjacent cross member. By appropriate design, such overlap can help to effectively define dimensions of lateral slot  71 . While the spacing between adjacent cross members, and particularly between first retainer edge  72  and an adjacent cross member, may vary, these dimensions should be large enough to easily accommodate an inserted item, and be designed to impose the desired wrapping of such item over at least first edge  72  to prevent the item from slipping through under its own weight. In embodiments such as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a second edge  76  is also provided to impose the generally sinuous conformation to the inserted rug, further minimizing the potential for undesired movement of the rug once loaded.  
      It should be understood that while cross members  70  of cascade assembly  60  have been illustrated herein as reminiscent of a sideways “Z,” cross members and retainer edges may be configured in a variety of arrangements according to the present invention. For example, cross members may comprise a single retainer comprised of substantially flat steel secured between arms of cascade assembly (reminiscent only of second retainer described above) having a retainer edge. In another embodiment, the first retainer edge may comprise a plurality of teeth or fingers. Such embodiment might eliminate the desire for any second retainer edge or extension plate described above. As such, any retainer arrangement configured to prevent a rug draped over an associated cross member may be used with the present invention.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , in use, a vendor may take the edge of a rug  100  to be displayed and insert it within lateral slot  71   a  between cross members  70   a  and  70   b . The vendor may continue feeding the rug between the cross members  70   a  and  70   b  until the rug drapes a distance upwardly and away from the display surface  80  and is laying on the front face  20  in a manner satisfactory to the vendor. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a portion of the drawing is cut away to illustrate how the rugs  100 - 103  might hang within the center of frame  12  out of sight of the consumer. As previously discussed, front face  20  may be configured at an angle relative to the cascade assembly  60 , so that the draped rugs are presented at a desired angle to the consumer. Once the first rug is fed through, the vendor may insert a second rug  101 . As will be understood, vendor may feed additional rugs between cross members in this manner until the rug drapes against first rug. In one embodiment, it is desired that the second rug  101  will not drape full distance toward display surface as first rug  100  (so as to cover first rug  100  completely). As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , for example, a consumer approaching rack will be able to see at least the lower portions of each of first rug  100  and second rug  101  and third rug  102  in a shingled or tiled fashion. As vendor adds more rugs within the cascade assembly  60 , each rug will have some portion displayed to the consumer upon approach to the rack  10 .  
      This design has many benefits. First, because of the design of the cascade assembly  60  and front face  20 , rugs may be loaded into the rack so that at least a portion of all rugs may be viewed upon approach by a consumer. In addition, a consumer seeking to gain a full view of the rug may simply turn each rug rearward (like pages of a book) until the desired rug is displayed (one half of rug actually displayed).  FIG. 2  illustrates several rugs being folded rearwardly in this manner for illustrative purposes. The innovative design of each cross member allows rugs to be so manipulated without falling to the display surface. In fact, where the cross members are provided with a second retainer edge  76 , additional friction will be provided on a loaded rug when it is folded rearwardly such as at P 2  (see, e.g.  FIG. 3 ). In addition, if a consumer wishes to purchase a rug (or get a full view), the rug may be easily removed from a rack and replaced with another rug by the vendor without a need to remove or rearrange adjacent rugs. The rack frame is also designed so that the rugs can be folded rearwardly over the roll bar  68  (which could be a cross member if desired) for more full viewing of individual rugs. The frame has an effectively forward-loaded center of gravity to minimize potential tipping even when all displayed rugs are folded rearwardly over roll bar  68 .  
      In addition, it is contemplated that the rack  10  can be moveable and can accommodate signage. For example, if desired, coaster wheels  78  may be attached to first ends  24  and  44  of front and rear posts  22  and  42 , respectively, thereby allowing the rack  10  to be easily moved about the display surface  80 . This may be useful when a vendor wants to rearrange displays or a consumer wants to compare rugs loaded on separate racks. Moreover, signage, such as advertising can be attached to the rack at for example, along any of the front posts  22  or rear posts  42 , along the sides, or extending upwardly from rear section  40 .  
      The foregoing description of the various embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. For example, the display rack in accordance with the present invention may display rugs of varying sizes and shapes in a variety of different arrangements and can include frames of various sizes and shapes. Accordingly, while some of the alternative embodiments of the rug display system have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations that have been discussed herein, and others that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the claims.