Patent Publication Number: US-6659294-B1

Title: Multi-configurational wire-rod display rack

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/810,924, filed on Mar. 16, 2001 now abandoned. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a multi-configurational wire-rod display rack comprised of modules of different sizes interconnectable together and wherein the rack may be accessible from opposed sides and/or opposed ends thereof and includes selected ones of a multitude of product support and display accessories. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Wire display racks are known for various utilities. For example, such racks are utilized in produce display for refrigerated display cases to display produce and other products requiring refrigeration. U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,712 also describes a modular display rack which is constructed of wire rod and including a plurality of disconnectable rack sections to permit the size and capacity of the rack assembly to be selectively varied. It also comprises side frame members which support removable shelving. However, with the majority of these wire rod display racks, the rack is not entirely formed of wire rod shelving or support frames and these are difficult to assemble and clean and require considerable time to modify. Furthermore, most of these racks are not accessible from all sides thereof, are difficult to ship and convert to adapt to specific customer needs. Once the racks are installed they are not very versatile and most of these display only on a single side and do not provide high visibility. These racks cannot be classified as systems having a high degree of versatility. 
     With prior art wire rod display rack structures, it is often necessary to supply fasteners to secure support shelving therein. Often, these fasteners become lost and render the rack or sections thereof unusable. Some of these racks are also not sturdy and eye pleasing. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a multi-configurational wire display rack which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and which is flexible, easy to erect, modify and relocate, easy to clean, which provides excellent visibility by permitting light to go through the entire display rack and which readily adapts to customer needs by simple replacement of the product support-and-display accessories without the need of fasteners. 
     Other features of the multi-configurational wire display rack of the present invention include its simplification, ease of assembly and installation, components which adapt easily, can be used in many applications such as retail, industrial, medical etc., is easy to clean, versatile, etc. . . . 
     According to the above feature of the present invention there is provided a multi-configurational wire-rod display rack which comprises one or more display modules each having at least two vertical side frames having two spaced-part vertically extending posts. A plurality of transverse horizontal attachment rods are immovably secured between the posts of the end frames. The posts are interconnected at a top end by a transverse top, horizontal member. The vertical side frames are interconnected together in spaced, parallel relationship by lower connecting cross-frames secured between a respective common one of the end posts of the pair of vertical end posts, and a top interconnecting means secured between the transverse top horizontal members of the vertical side frames. A plurality of wire-rod product support-and-display accessories are removably supported between the attachment rods without the use of fasteners and span the at least two vertical side frames. 
     Other features of the present invention can be summarized as follows: A display rack system which provides quick field assembly as compared to any gondola manufacturer, the system has many versatile features, such as: add, reverse, slope and shelf. The system is modular in that all components work together to create a total system with several options such as: wire peg boards, wing racks and baskets. The system can be used as an island display or gondola run of shelving. The system also displays in opposed directions and end-to-end. The sloped shelves can create gravity feed or high visibility of products. The shelves are also quick and easy to adjust. The shelves have a suspension design with structural trussing for additional strength characteristics. They also have a unique locking design feature which prevents the shelves from disengaging upon impact. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FlG.  1  is an exploded perspective view showing the multi-configurational wire display rack module constructed in accordance with the present invention and utilizing a variety of product support-and-display accessories removably supported thereby; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the multi-configurational wire display rack module constructed in accordance with the present invention and also having product support-and-display accessories secured thereto and to the side frames thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a further perspective view showing the multi-configurational wire display rack module of the present invention and provided with small transverse end modules secured thereto; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a multi-configurational wire display rack having a plurality of modules and interconnected small end modules; 
     FIG. 5 is a further perspective view showing a multi-configurational wire display rack comprising a plurality of display modules and small end modules interconnected together and accessible from all four sides; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the module supported on casters for displacement thereof; 
     FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing the construction of a shelf accessory for securing within the module and provided with integrally formed wire hooks; 
     FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing the construction of a basket-type accessory; 
     FIG. 7C is a perspective view showing the construction of a wire rod peg board accessory; 
     FIG. 8A is a plan view of a further peg board accessory; 
     FIG. 8B is a top view of FIG. 8A; 
     FIG. 9A is a plan view of a vertical side frame provided with transverse attachment rods in a half portion only of the space between the opposed side posts; 
     FIG. 9B is a side view of FIG. 9A; and 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modification of the display rack and particularly the post and the cross-frames. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown generally at  10 , a multi-configurational wire display rack constructed in accordance with the present invention. This rack is better illustrated in FIG. 2 in its assembled form. As hereinshown the rack consists of a display module which is formed by at least two vertical side frames  11  and  11 ′ having two spaced apart vertically extending posts  12  and  12 ′. A plurality of transverse horizontal attachment rods  13  are immovably secured between the rearward posts  12  and the forward post  12 ′. The side posts  12  and  12 ′ are interconnected at a top end by a transverse horizontal member, herein constituted by an integrally formed transverse portion  14  of a rigid tubular rod constituting the vertically extending posts  12  and  12 ′ and the transverse top horizontal member  14 . This structure constitutes the vertical side frames  11  and  11 ′. 
     The vertical side frames  11  and  11 ′ are interconnected together in spaced parallel relationship by lower connecting cross-bars  15  and  15 ′ secured between a respective common one of the end posts  12  and  12 ′ of the pair of vertical end posts. The vertical side frames are interconnected at a top end by connecting means in the form of a top connecting cross-bar  16  secured between the transverse top horizontal members  14  and  14 ′. A plurality of wire-rod product support-and-display accessories  17  are 
     It is pointed out that the tubular rod of the side frames as well as the lower and top cross-bars may be formed of hollow tubular rods of square cross-section although not limited to this specific cross-sectional configuration, as will be described later with respect to the U-shape cross-section lower cross-bars. The top cross-bar can also act as a hanging bar for clothing or other use. The top and bottom cross-bars are also interconnected to the side frames by bolts  18  or other type fasteners capable of providing for ease and rapidity of installation and removal. 
     As shown more clearly in FIG. 1, the horizontal attachment rods  13  are elongated U-shaped rods defining opposed short right angle end sections  13 ′ and an elongated intermediate straight section  13 ″. The short end sections  13 ′ are connected to a respective one of the two spaced-apart vertically extending posts  12  and  12 ′ with the intermediate straight sections  13 ″ disposed to one side of the vertically extending posts  12  and  12 ′ and projecting slightly therefrom as can be seen from the lower end section of the right-hand vertical side frame  11 ′ illustrated in FIG.  1 . These straight sections project a predetermined distance from the vertically extending posts  12  and  12 ′ to provide a clearance gap for insertion of the support-and-display accessories  17  secured between the two vertical side frames. As also shown, the horizontal attachment rods  13  are disposed in spaced parallel relationship and extend a predetermined distance spaced from the transverse top horizontal member  11  and terminate just above the connection of the lower connecting cross-bars  15 . The cross-bars  15  and  15 ′ are U-shaped channels with the U disposed inwardly facing one another. Accordingly, the lower flange  15 ″ of the cross-bars can support a shelf such as shelf  22 ′. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, the right-hand vertical side frame is herein shown as an intermediate side frame  11 ′ and it is used in a two or more module display rack as illustrated more clearly in FIG.  4 . The intermediate side frame  11 ′ is provided with horizontal attachment rods  13  projecting from opposed sides thereof with the rods aligned with one another in horizontal parallel relationship. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the display rack modules  10 ,  10 ′ and  10 ″ are interconnected together by the top connecting bars  16 ,  16 ′ and  16 ″ and the lower connecting cross-bars  15  and  15 ′ of each module. The illustration in FIG. 4 shows different types of product support-and-display accessories  17  with some of the shelves such as  17 ′ being angularly and removably supported in one of the modules  10 . These accessories are all wire rod formed accessories with cross-rods welded together at their intersections, as is well known in the art, and some of the shelving may be provided with zig-zag reinforcing transverse end ribs  20  as is better shown in FIG.  1 . Further, all of these accessories are integrally formed with wire hook ends  21  which may vary in configuration depending on the accessory and its interconnection within the module. These accessories may be constituted by various types of shelving  22  or baskets  23  or other accessories as will be described later on but the present invention is not intended to be limited to any of these specific accessories. 
     Referring again to FIG. 4, there is shown the construction of a small display module  25  which is constructed exactly as the modules  10  but of a much smaller size and dimensioned in length to be equal to the width of the modules  10 . These small end modules  25  are hereinshown as disposed transversely against and outwardly of one or both vertical side frames  11 ′ of the display rack module  10 ″ or  10 . The end modules are aligned with a common one of the posts herein identified by numerals  26  and  26 ′ of the frames of the display module  25  disposed side-by-side with an associated one of the two spaced-apart vertically extending posts  11 ′ and  11  of the display rack module  10 ″. These adjacently disposed posts  11  and  26  and  11 ′ and  26 ′ may be interconnected together by removably securable clamps  27  which may be snap-fit connected or otherwise clamps opposed vertical posts. The clamps interconnect adjacent modules  10  and end modules  25 . 
     The end display modules  25  also have smaller sized product support-and-display accessories  28  supported between its attachment rods  13 . As previously described, these end racks are of the same construction as the main rack modules  10  but of much smaller size and provide for an end display. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, two of the multi-configurational wire display racks as shown in FIG. 4 are interconnected together in side-by-side relationship by further clamps  27 ′ although not essential, which are conveniently positioned along adjacent vertical extending posts  12  and  12 ′. The display rack structure as shown in FIG. 5 is a very large structure and is accessible from all four sides. As can readily be seen, because the display rack is constructed of wire-rod accessories, light easily permeates through the entire rack making all of the articles visible. Also, because articles intended to be positioned thereon all have different type and coloured packaging, it makes the entire display rack very attractive. Another important feature of such large wire display rack structures, as shown in FIG. 5, is that the accessories of each of the modules can be independently modified by simply removing the accessories and replacing them with another type of accessory to either divide a shelf section, provide a different type shelf, convert the shelf into a peg board, or simply move the accessories to different locations. Flexibility of the wire display rack as shown in FIG. 5 is practically unlimited. 
     Another use of the multi-configurational wire display rack module  10  of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.  6 . As hereinshown, casters  30  are secured to the bottom of the vertically extending posts  12  and  12 ′ of each of the vertical side frames  11  and  11 ′ whereby to construct a mobile display rack or a mobile dolly for use in transporting various type products such as for use in hospitals, grocery marts, etc. Of course, solid wall trays or boxes may be positioned on the shelving  22  of the mobile rack. The casters may also be provided with brakes. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 7A to  7 C, there is shown the construction of specific accessories although a multitude of these may be provided. As shown in FIG. 7A, the shelving  22  is formed by a plurality of parallel spaced wire rods  32  welded together at their junctions with the re-enforcing transverse zig-zag ribs  20  and cross-rods  33  at their respective ends. These reinforcing zig-zag ribs  20  provide rigidity for shelves having long spans between the attachment rods  13 . As hereinshown, the rear end of the shelf has an upturned wire wall  34 . 
     In FIG. 7B, there is shown the construction of a shallow wire rod basket  23  and like the shelf  22 , it is provided with integrally formed hook ends  21  for attachment to the horizontal attachment rods  13 . Hook ends are also formed with the bottom wall  35  of the basket as well as the top edge  36  to provide attachments at the bottom and top level. 
     FIG. 7C shows a wire formed peg board  37  and it is formed of a plurality of spaced apart horizontally disposed wire rods  38  and transverse rods  39  welded together. These peg boards can be attached either horizontally or vertically within the frame by various attachment means or integrally formed hooks or inturned end wall sections  40 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B there is shown the construction of a further wire formed peg board  50 . As hereinshown the peg board is formed by a plurality of spaced apart horizontally disposed wire rods  51  and transverse rods  52  welded together at their intersection. Some of these horizontal rods  51  or U-shaped hooks  53 , formed of wire rods sections, are also welded adjacent opposed corners of the rectangular peg board  50 . These U-shaped hooks define a mouth opening  54  whereby to receive therein the transverse horizontal attachment rods  13  of the side frames. Accordingly, it can be seen that the peg board  50  can be disposed at any location along opposed side frames  11  and  11 ′ and at any depth between the side posts  12  and  12 ′. Various support rods or brackets (not shown) are removably secured to the peg board to support stacked articles thereon. These peg boards can also be secured over the lower connecting rods cross-bars  15  between the attachment rods  13  to form a lower basket over the bottom shelf  22 ′. 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B show a further construction of the vertical side frames  11  and  11 ′. The modified side frame  55  as hereinshown is provided with a center post  56  and an end post  57 . Short transverse horizontal attachment rods  58  extend between the end post and the center post. Accordingly, only half of the side frame is provided with attachment rods to support shelving or other type accessories as disclosed herein and obvious to a person skilled in the art. The attachment rods  58  also extend on both sides of the posts  56  and  57  as illustrated in FIG.  9 B. 
     FIG. 10 shows a further modification wherein the side posts  60  and  60 ′ are round posts and provided with attachment sleeves  61  in the corners of a lower shelf  62  and a top interconnecting frame  63 . The shelves have transverse end trusses  64  and side trusses  65  for reinforcement. The side trusses  65  constitute the crossframes such as cross-bars  15  and  15 ′ illustrated in FIG.  1 . This round post design is well known in the art but not when used in the present wire display rack system. 
     The top of the side posts  60  and  60 ′ of the side frames  11  are also interconnected together and with the posts of the other frame  11 ′ (see FIG. 1) by the top interconnecting frame  63  comprised of attachment sleeves  67 , a cross-wire truss  68  and a pair of side wire trusses  69 . Only one end of the frame is herein shown but the other end is identical. Further, the pair of side wire trusses  69  could be replaced by a single central wire truss, as is obvious to a person skilled in the art. The transverse horizontal attachment rods  66  are secured to the posts  60  and  60 ′ by top and bottom clips  70  or could be welded thereto. 
     It is pointed out that it is within the ambit of the present invention to cover any obvious modifications of the preferred embodiment described herein provided such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.