Patent Publication Number: US-2004055982-A1

Title: Product display system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
     [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/390,771, filed Jun. 21, 2002 and entitled PRODUCT DISPLAY SYSTEM, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0003] The present invention relates generally to systems for displaying products for in-store retail sales. More specifically, the present invention concerns a product display system that includes a base assembly supported above a conventional clothing rack and a plurality of display trays supported on the base assembly for displaying products above the rack in a readily apparent and easily accessible manner. The inventive display system enables cross-merchandising at the point of sale by utilizing previously unusable space above conventional circular racks while still complying with display requirements of most mass marketing retail stores. In a preferred embodiment, the base assembly is formed of modular sections that interconnect to form a sloped tray-supporting surface that extends radially beyond the perimeter of the rack to place the products supported thereon at an optimum position for viewing and access by the consumer. The preferred display trays are uniquely configured to enable them to be arranged in a circular arrangement on the base assembly to maximize product storage. The preferred modular base sections and display trays are complementally configured to enable the trays to “nest” in the modular sections for easy and convenient shipping, as well as space-efficient storage of the components when not in use.  
       [0004] 2. Discussion of Prior Art  
       [0005] In many retail clothing and department stores, articles of clothing are frequently displayed on clothing display racks that allow customers to view the articles of clothing while the articles are supported by hangers hung on the racks. For example, such clothing racks are commonly provided in the form of generally circular product display racks having a circular hangrail along the outer perimeter of the rack that is configured to support the hooks of conventional clothing hangers having articles of clothing disposed thereon. In this manner, the clothing-laden hangers can be readily slid along the hangrail to enable the clothing articles thereon to be examined or inspected by a consumer without necessitating removal of the article of clothing from the rack or from the hanger. To enable the clothing-laden hangers to freely slide along the hangrail, the hangrail must present a minimum diameter to provide the requisite clearance between diametrically opposed clothing items (e.g., twenty-four inches, thirty-six inches, forty-eight inches, etc.). Additionally, such clothing racks are generally configured so that the height of the hangrail is configured to suspend the supported clothing items in a position to prevent the clothing from coming into contact with the floor. As a result, typical circular product display racks are frequently configured in height so that the hangrail is at, or somewhat below, eye-level of consumers of average height. Given the practical diametrical and height requirements, the space within and above the hangrail has heretofore been considered generally unusable for effectively displaying products. Although not as problematic, other non-circular clothing racks for displaying hanger hung clothing items, such as the so called “four-way” rack—i.e., a rack having four transversely extending, generally straight hangrails that define a center square therebetween—also present generally unusable space within and above the hangrails heretofore not optimally utilized for displaying products.  
       [0006] There are prior art uses for the space within and above the hangrail or rails of conventional clothing racks. The most widely utilized prior art use is displaying signs, for example, a sign supported on a sign holder positioned at or near the center of the hangrail. A typical sign may indicate, for example, that a particular rack contains articles that bear a special feature, such as a particular brand or a discounted price. Such sign holders are clamped onto central support members that support the hangrail. Additionally, some known clothing racks include a substantially flat surface (e.g., a glass or wooden plate) that is supported slightly above the hangrail and is positioned inside the perimeter of the hang rail to support the sign holder or a free standing sign. It is also known to place additional products (e.g., clothing accessories such as socks, shoes, etc.) onto the flat surface in connection with or as an alternative to a sign holder.  
       [0007] However, these prior art methods of displaying products on a flat surface at or above the hangrail are problematic and suffer from several undesirable limitations. For example, these prior art methods do not optimally present the products for display to the customer and are inconvenient for product organization and inventory control. Products that are displayed in these prior art methods are subject to being moved around on the flat surface adjacent to the hangrail and to falling into the interstitial area between the hangrail and the edge of the flat surface. Moreover, these known display methods do not place the products in a position where they can be easily and readily viewed by a consumer who is standing adjacent the hangrail. That is to say, the products are typically far enough away from the consumer that the consumer must typically reach over the hangrail and pick up one or more of the products off of the flat surface in order to adequately examine the product. Furthermore, these prior art methods are incapable of displaying desired amounts of product above the hangrail and still comply with display requirements of most mass marketing retail stores. For example, many retail stores have height limits on how far products and signage supported on a display rack can extend above the floor. Common limits restrict products to fifty-four inches above the floor and signage to seventy-two inches above the floor. Accordingly, there is a need for a product display system that satisfies the above deficiencies and to provide a convenient way to display products to consumers in a manner that causes consumers to be interested in purchasing the products and to facilitate product stocking.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] The present invention provides an improved product display system that does not suffer from the problems and limitations of the prior art display methods detailed above. The inventive display system includes a base assembly supported above a conventional clothing rack and a plurality of display trays supported on the base assembly for displaying products above the rack in a readily apparent and easily accessible manner. In a preferred embodiment, the base assembly is formed of modular sections that interconnect to form a sloped tray-supporting surface that extends radially beyond the perimeter of the rack to place the products supported thereon at an optimum position for viewing and access by the consumer. The preferred display trays include retaining tabs that prevent the trays from sliding off the sloped supporting surface and are uniquely configured to enable them to be arranged in a circular arrangement on the base assembly to maximize product storage. The preferred modular base sections and display trays are complementally configured to enable the trays to “nest” in the modular sections for easy and convenient shipping, as well as space-efficient storage of the components when not in use.  
       [0009] A first aspect of the present invention concerns a product display apparatus for displaying products above a clothing rack wherein the clothing rack includes a generally circular hangrail for removably supporting clothing hangers by their hooks. The product display apparatus broadly includes a base assembly adapted to be received on the clothing rack and at least one display tray supported on the base assembly and defining an outer-most edge radially spaced from the center of the rack when the base assembly is received on the rack. The base assembly defines an outer-most margin radially spaced from the longitudinal center of the rack when the base assembly is received on the rack. The base assembly includes a tray-supporting surface spaced a hanger dimension above the hangrail when the base assembly is received on the rack wherein the hanger dimension is greater than the height of the hanger hooks so that the hooks can be removed from the hangrail when the base assembly is received on the rack. The display tray is supported on the tray-supporting surface. At least a portion of either the outer-most margin or the outer-most edge extends radially beyond the hangrail when the base assembly is received on the rack.  
       [0010] A second aspect of the present invention concerns a method of displaying a plurality of first products on the same display with a plurality of second products wherein the first products differ from the second products. The method broadly includes the steps of supporting the first products on a display rack, removably supporting a modular display base on top of the display rack, removably supporting a plurality of display bins on the display base so that at least a portion of each display bin extends over the outer perimeter of the display rack, and supporting the second products in the display bins.  
       [0011] A third aspect of the present invention concerns a modular product display apparatus broadly including at least one product display tray defining an internal product display bin, and a support platform for supporting the display tray on a product display rack. The display tray includes side-wall panels tapering inwardly toward the rear of the display bin. The display tray includes at least one retaining tab engagingly received in the support platform to thereby retain the display tray in an operative position on a support platform. The support platform includes a plurality of intercommunicating support segments that cooperate to form the support platform and each being adapted to receive the retaining tab. The support segments are positioned in a substantially circular or polygonal configuration on the product display rack.  
       [0012] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
     [0013] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:  
     [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a product display apparatus constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and shown supported above a circular hangrail of a conventional clothing rack;  
     [0015]FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view of two of the modular truss sections and the washer element of the base assembly, two of the product display trays, and the sign assembly of the display apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, with the sign assembly being rotated from its position in FIG. 1 for illustrative purposes only;  
     [0016]FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the display apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 shown supported above the clothing rack (shown in fragmentary) with hats being displayed in the display trays;  
     [0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective assembly view of a product display apparatus constructed in accordance with a preferred alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrating one of the product display trays supported on the wire base assembly;  
     [0018]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternative tab-receiving slot configuration for the wire base assembly of the display apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4; and  
     [0019]FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a second alternative tab-receiving slot configuration for the wire base assembly of the display apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0020]FIG. 1 illustrates a product display system  10  constructed in accordance with the principles of a preferred embodiment of the present invention and configured for displaying products above a conventional clothing rack R. The display system  10  is particularly well suited for displaying a plurality of smaller accessory-type products, such as baseball-type hats P as illustrated in FIG. 3. However, the principles of the present invention are not limited to displaying in particular type of product and equally apply to systems configured for displaying virtually any type of consumer product. The display system  10  is illustrated above a standard circular clothing rack R for displaying clothes supported on conventional clothing hangers (not shown), such as plastic or wire hangers having a hanging hook. In one manner well known in the art, the clothing rack R includes a generally circular hangrail H configured to removably and slidably receive the hanger hooks. The hangrail H is supported at the top of the rack R by a plurality of supporting legs L but the hangrail H is otherwise open at its center. The illustrated hangrail H presents a thirty-six inch diameter and is adjustably supported between forty-two and fifty-four inches above the floor, although various suitable dimensions could be utilized. Although the principles of the present invention are particularly well suited for displaying products above a circular clothing rack, the principles of the present invention are not limited to use with circular clothing racks and equally apply to other types of clothing racks for supporting hanging clothes, including non-circular racks. For example, the display system  10  could be configured to be supported above a standard “four-way” rack having four transversely extending, generally straight hangrails that define a center square therebetween. The illustrated product display system  10  broadly includes a base assembly  12  for supporting the other system components above the rack R, a plurality of product display trays  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and  28  supported on the base assembly  12  for displaying the products P, and a sign assembly  30  supported on the base assembly  12  for displaying product information and advertising indicia.  
     [0021] The base assembly  12  is adapted to be removably supported on the clothing rack R and is configured to support the plurality of display trays  14 - 28  in an optimum operative position above the rack R for displaying products therein in a readily apparent and easily accessible manner. Turning to FIGS.  1 - 3 , the illustrated base assembly  12  is modular in configuration and includes a plurality of modular truss sections  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46  that interconnect to define a tray-supporting surface  12   a . In more detail, the tray-supporting surface  12   a  is preferably generally conical in configuration so that when the display trays  14 - 28  are supported thereon, the contents of the trays  14 - 28 , such as the products P, are readily viewed by, and easily accessible to a consumer standing adjacent the hangrail H. That is to say, the tray-supporting surface  12   a  presents a generally circular outermost margin  12   b  and the surface  12   a  slopes downwardly generally from the center axis defined by the circular hangrail H towards the outer-most margin  12   b . To facilitate easy access to products supported on the base assembly  12 , the outer-most margin  12   b  projects radially beyond the outer perimeter of the hangrail H so that displayed products can be positioned directly above the hangrail H so as to be easily reached by the consumer (see FIG. 3). Furthermore, the tray-supporting surface  12   a  is sufficiently spaced above the hangrail H to enable hangers supported on the hangrail H to be slid along the hangrail H and removed therefrom and replaced thereon without interferingly engaging the surface  12   a . In this regard, the tray-supporting surface  12   a  is preferably spaced at least about two inches above the hangrail H and more preferably between two and four inches above the hangrail H.  
     [0022] As indicated above, in the illustrated base assembly  12 , the interconnecting modular truss sections  32 - 46  cooperate to define the tray-supporting surface  12   a . Particularly, the illustrated truss sections  32 - 46  are virtually identically configured and thereby form eight generally equivalent portions of the surface  12   a . In this regard, only the truss section  40  will be described in detail with the understanding that the truss sections  32 - 38  and  42 - 46  are similarly constructed. Turning to FIGS.  2 - 3 , the truss section  40  presents a generally triangular shaped top surface  40   a  that forms one-eighth of the tray-supporting surface  12   a . The top surface  40   a  presents an arcuate outer-most margin  40   b  that forms one-eighth of the outer-most margin  12   b . The truss section  40  includes a support arm  48  extending generally perpendicularly and downwardly from one of the lateral edges of the surface  40   a . The support arm  48  includes a lateral arm portion  48   a  and a longitudinal arm portion  48   b . The lateral and longitudinal arm portions  48   a , 48   b  are offset relative to each other by an acute angle. This angle is preferably between about sixty and eighty degrees and more preferably about seventy-five degrees. In this regard, when the longitudinal arm portion  48   b  is aligned adjacent the longitudinal arm portion of the opposing truss section  32 , the acute angle provides the preferred sloped configuration for the top surface  40   a  (see FIG. 3).  
     [0023] The lateral arm portion  48   a  is configured to removably support the truss section  40  on the hangrail H. In this regard, the lateral arm portion  48   a  includes a rail-receiving notch  50  that engages the hangrail H to thereby support the truss section  40  thereon. For purposes that will subsequently be described, formed between the lateral arm portion  48   a  and the top surface  40   a  are a pair of coupling tab-receiving slots  52  and  54  and formed in the arm portion  48   a  between the slots  52 , 54  is a larger retaining tab-receiving slot  56 . The longitudinal arm portion  48   b  is configured to be coupled to the longitudinal arm portions of the other truss sections  32 - 38  and  42 - 46  to provide strength and proper positioning for the assembled base assembly  12 . Particularly, the longitudinal arm portion  48   b  includes a washer-receiving groove  58  formed in the inside lower edge of the arm portion  48   b . The illustrated base assembly  12  further includes an endless washer element  60  for joining the longitudinal arm portions of the truss sections  32 - 46  together. The illustrated washer  60  is a disc having eight slits  60   a  formed therein to receive the longitudinal arm portions. The washer  60  is configured to ride in the washer-receiving grooves, such as the groove  58  in the truss  40 . When the longitudinal arm portions of the truss sections  32 - 46  are joined together by the washer element  60 , the longitudinal arm portions are spaced from the rack R, including the hangrail H, so that the base assembly  12  is entirely supported on the rack R by the engagement of the lateral arm portions and hangrail H. In this manner, the base assembly  12  can be quickly and easily placed on top of the conventional clothing rack R and easily removed therefrom.  
     [0024] The illustrated truss section  40  further includes a side panel  62  extending generally perpendicularly and downwardly from the opposing lateral edge of the surface  40   a . Unlike the support arm  48 , the side panel  62  does not include a longitudinal arm portion but rather is configured to cooperate with an adjacent support arm to support the base assembly  12  on the hangrail H (see FIG. 1). That is to say, the side panel  62  is sized and dimensioned so that it complements the adjacent rail-receiving notch and cooperates therewith to space the tray-supporting surface  12   a  a uniform distance from the hangrail H. Formed in the side panel  62  are a pair of coupling tabs  64  and  66  that extend perpendicular to the panel  62  and generally parallel to the top surface  40   a  (see FIG. 2). The coupling tabs  64 , 66  are sized and configured to be received within the coupling tab-receiving slots in the adjacent support arm of the truss section  42  to join the adjacent truss sections  40 , 42  together. For purposes that will subsequently be described, formed in the side panel  62  between the tabs  64 , 66  is a retaining tab-receiving slot  68  configured similarly to the slot  56  in the support arm  48 . The support arm  48  and the side panel  62  further cooperate to enable one or more of the other truss sections  32 - 38  and  42 - 46  to be nested within the truss section  40  for convenient storage when the base assembly  12  is not in use. Additionally, as will be further detailed below, one of the display trays  14 - 28  can also nest within the truss section  40  for compact storage and/or shipping.  
     [0025] The illustrated truss section  40  is preferably formed from a material that provides sufficient strength and durability to the base assembly  12  yet enables the truss section  40  to be efficiently and cost-effectively manufactured. In this regard, the truss section  40  is preferably formed from a corrugated material, such as paper or plastic, and more preferably from corrugated plastic. For example, in one manner known in the art, the truss section  40  could be formed as a flat blank with suitable fold lines and punch outs formed therein that correspond to the desired assembled configuration. One such suitable blank is disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/390,771, which was previously incorporated herein by reference above. However, it is within the ambit of the present invention to form the base assembly  12  from various suitable materials, including more durable materials, such as various metals, to provide the base assembly  12  a more permanent configuration.  
     [0026] As previously indicated, the truss sections  32 - 38  and  42 - 46  are configured virtually identically to the truss section  40  detailed above. The truss sections  32 - 46  are interconnected, using the coupling tabs and the washer element  60 , to form the base assembly  12 . However, it is within the ambit of the present invention to utilize various alternative configurations for the base assembly, including, for example, assemblies that are not modular in configuration, or are modular but are joined by methods other than the tabs and washer, or that present a flat supporting surface, etc. However, it is important that the supporting surface presented by the base assembly be supported on top of the clothing rack and configured to support at least a portion of the display tray over the hangrail.  
     [0027] The product display trays  14 - 28  are supported on the base assembly  12  for displaying the products P. The illustrated display trays  14 - 28  are each associated with a corresponding modular truss section  32 - 46 , respectively, and each tray  14 - 28  is removably supported on the associated truss section  32 - 46 . Each of the display trays  14 - 28  are virtually identically configured and therefore only the product display tray  22  will be described in detail with the understanding that the display trays  14 - 20  and  24 - 28  are similarly constructed. Turning to FIGS.  2 - 3 , the display tray  22  is removably coupled to the truss section  40  and defines an internal storage bin  22   a  for storing a plurality of the hats P for display. In the illustrated product display tray  22 , the storage bin  22   a  is defined by a bottom wall  70 , a pair of oppositely spaced sidewalls  72  and  74 , a rear wall  76 , and a front wall  78 . In more detail, the bottom wall  70  is generally flat and presents a generally hexagonal shape. In addition to the aesthetically pleasing quality of the hexagonal shape, as detailed below, this shape enables the trays  14 - 28  to be arranged in a polygonal arrangement on the base assembly  12 . The sidewalls  72 , 74  extend upwardly from the bottom wall  70  and each includes a rear panel  72   a  and  74   a , respectively, and a front panel  72   b  and  74   b , respectively. The rear panels  72   a , 74   a  follow the hexagonal configuration of the bottom wall  70  and therefore taper inwardly from the front panels  72   b , 74   b  to the rear wall  76 . In a similar manner, the front panels  72   b , 74   b  taper inwardly from the rear panels  72   a , 74   a  to the front wall  78 . In this manner, the intersection of the front panels  72   b , 74   b  with the rear panels  72   a , 74   a  defines the greatest bin width of the internal bin  22   a . The front panels  72   b , 74   b  are cut away so as to be shorter than the rear panels  72   a , 74   a  to provide better viewing of the products P displayed in the bin  22   a . Additionally, the hexagonal shape allows product information indicia to be placed on the front panels  72   b , 74   b  where it can be viewed by the consumer when the trays  14 - 28  are arranged in the polygonal arrangement. Such product information indicia could include for example a team name or logo associated with the particular hats P stored in the bin  22   a . An example of suitable product information indicia is shown in the U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/390,771 previously incorporated herein by reference.  
     [0028] The rear wall  76  extends between the rear panels  72   a , 74   a  of the sidewalls  72 , 74  and extends upwardly from the bottom wall  70 . The rear wall  76  is sized and configured to fit within the boundary of the triangular top surface  40   a  of the truss section  40  when the display tray  22  is coupled thereto. Additionally, the rear wall  76  is spaced from the center axis of the hangrail H when the tray  22  is coupled to the truss section  40  to facilitate arranging the trays  14 - 28  into the polygonal arrangement. As further detailed below, the illustrated tray  22  is preferably formed from a corrugated blank and therefore, in one manner well known in the art, the rear wall  76 , when assembled, includes assembly tabs  76   a  and  76   b  integrally formed with the sidewalls  72 , 74  that are inserted into the rear wall  76  to secure the tray  22  in its assembled condition. The front wall  78  is oppositely spaced from the rear wall  76  and extends between the front panels  72   b , 74   b  of the sidewalls  72 , 74  and extends upwardly from the bottom wall  70 . The front wall  78  presents a height that is less than the height of the rear wall  76  to facilitate the consumer viewing the products P stored in the bin  22   a . In a manner similar to that described above with respect to the rear wall  76 , when assembled, the front wall  78  includes assembly tabs (not shown) integrally formed with the sidewalls  72 , 74  that are inserted into the front wall  78  to secure the tray  22  in its assembled condition.  
     [0029] In the illustrated display tray  22 , the front wall  78  defines the outer-most edge  78   a  of the display tray  22  when the tray  22  is coupled to the base assembly  12  (see FIG. 3). The outer-most edge  78   a  is radially spaced from the center axis of the hangrail H when the display tray  22  is coupled to the base assembly  12  on the rack R. The display tray  22  is configured so that at least a portion of the outer-most edge  78   a  extends radially beyond the hangrail H. In this manner, the products P displayed in the bin  22   a  are positioned directly above the hangrail H so as to be readily viewed and easily reached by the consumer (see FIG. 3). Although in the illustrated system  10 , both the outer-most margin  12   b  and the outer-most edge  78   a  extend radially beyond the hangrail H, it is not important that the outer-most margin  12   b  extend over the hangrail H as long as the display tray  22  can be supported on the tray-supporting surface  12   a  so that the outer-most edge  78   a  extends over the hangrail H.  
     [0030] As indicated above, the display tray  22  is removably coupled to the base assembly  12  and when coupled thereto, is generally prevented from sliding down the sloped tray-supporting surface  12   a . In this regard, the illustrated display tray  22  includes a pair of retaining tabs  80  and  82  configured to be received within the tab-receiving slots  68  and  56 , respectively, to removably couple the tray  22  to the truss section  40 . Each of the illustrated retaining tabs  80 , 82  are integrally formed with the rear panels  72   a , 74   a  and extend perpendicularly below the bottom wall  70 . In this manner, when the display tray  22  is positioned on the truss section  40 , the retaining tabs  80 , 82  engage the slots  68 , 56  to prevent the display tray  22  from sliding down the sloped tray-supporting surface  12   a.    
     [0031] The display tray  22  is sized and configured to nest within the modular truss section  40  to facilitate shipping and/or storage of the associated components  22 , 40 . For example, the truss section  40  can be assembled and turned upside down and the tray  22  can be assembled, filled with the products P, and placed inside the truss section  40  between the support arm  48  and the side panel  62 . Additionally, the hexagonal configuration of the display tray  22  enables the tray  22  to be nested adjacent three other of the display trays  14 - 20 , 24 - 28  to form a compact presentation for shipping and/or storage. These nesting capabilities cooperate with the removable nature of the display tray  22 , to enable the products P to be shipped prepacked in the bin  22   a  and either stored in this display-ready configuration in a space-conserving manner, and/or readily placed on the base assembly  12  to replace a previously depleted display tray.  
     [0032] The illustrated display tray  22  is preferably formed from a material that facilitates the disposable nature of the replaceable trays that is cost-effective to manufacture yet is sufficiently durable to enable the tray  22  to be shipped and stored with product P prepacked therein. In this regard, the display tray  22  is preferably formed from corrugated paper. For example, in one manner known in the art, the display tray  22  could be formed as a flat blank with suitable fold lines and punch outs formed therein that correspond to the desired assembled configuration. One such suitable blank is disclosed in the U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/390,771 previously incorporated herein by reference above. However, it is within the ambit of the present invention to form the display tray  22  from various suitable materials, including more durable materials, such as corrugated plastic, to enable the display tray  22  to be utilized as a more permanent display bin that is periodically restocked with new products.  
     [0033] As previously indicated, the product display trays  14 - 20  and  24 - 28  are configured virtually identically to the display tray  22  detailed above, and each is associated with a corresponding one of the modular truss sections  32 - 46 . In this manner, the display trays  14 - 28  can be arranged in a polygonal configuration around the base assembly  12 . Particularly, the illustrated display trays  14 - 28  are arranged around the conical tray-supporting surface  12   a  so that their rear panels are adjacent each other to form a closed, eight sided figure as shown in FIG. 1. When arranged in this polygonal configuration, the rear walls of the display trays  14 - 28  are each spaced from the center axis of the hangrail H to form an octagonal open space therebetween. Additionally, when arranged in this polygonal configuration, the outer-most edges of the display trays  14 - 28  are each positioned to extend radially over the hangrail H. A plurality of display trays  14 - 28  are preferred to facilitate displaying several different types or sizes of a similar product P (e.g., baseball hats having the logos of several different sports teams, etc.). However, it is within the ambit of the present invention to utilize various alternative configurations for the display trays, including, for example, trays that are variously shaped and configured and that can be arranged in various groups (e.g., six, ten, twelve, etc.) to form virtually any arrangement, or trays that are permanently fixed to the base assembly. However, it is important that the outer-most edge presented by the display tray extend radially at or beyond the outer perimeter of the hangrail H.  
     [0034] As previously indicated, the sign assembly  30  is supported on the base assembly  12  for displaying product information and advertising indicia. The illustrated sign assembly  30  includes a sign support hub  84  removably supported on the tray-supporting surface  12   a  and a sign  86  removably supported on the hub  84 . In more detail, the illustrated sign support hub  84  is generally octagonal in shape and is sized and configured to fit within the interior space defined between the display trays  14 - 28 . In this regard, the hub  84  includes eight legs  84   a  sized to correspond with the rear wall height of the display trays  14 - 28  so the top surface of the hub  84  is positioned at or above the display trays  14 - 28  as shown in FIG. 1. The top surface of the hub  84  includes a pair of slits  84   b  for removably coupling the sign  86  thereto. The sign  86  is a simple triangular display sign and includes tabs  86   a  sized and configured to be receive within the slits  84   b  for interconnecting the sign  86  onto the top surface of the hub  84 . The sign  86  is operable to display product information and advertising indicia (not shown), such as pricing information, brand information, etc., common to one or more of the products P displayed on the system  10  and/or the clothing products hanging on the rack R. The illustrated sign assembly  30  is preferably formed from a paper or plastic blank. Suitable blanks are disclosed in the U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/390,771 previously incorporated herein by reference above. The sign assembly could be variously alternatively configured and it is within the ambit of the present invention to use the product display system without utilizing a sign.  
     [0035] The illustrated base assembly  12 , the display trays  14 - 28 , and the sign assembly  30  are configured to cooperate to comply with standard display limitations and requirements of most mass marketing retail stores. In this regard, the entire product display system  10  is sized and configured to be supported on top of the clothing rack R, adjusted to present the hangrail H at fifty-four inches, and present the upper-most margin of the sign  86  within seventy-two inches of the floor. However, the system  10  could be variously sized and configured to cooperate with a variety of differently sized racks and to satisfy virtually any display requirements and/or limitations.  
     [0036] In operation, clothing products, such as T-shirts (not shown) are hung on hangers (not shown) that are in turn hung by their hooks onto the hangrail H of the rack R. Next, the modular truss sections  32 - 46  are assembled and then interconnected by sliding the coupling tabs (e.g., coupling tabs  64 , 66  of the truss section  40 ) into the coupling tab-receiving slots (e.g., slots  52 , 54  of the truss section  40 ) and then encircling the longitudinal arm portions of the support arms (e.g., longitudinal arm portion  48   b  of support arm  48 ) with the endless washer element  60 . The assembled base assembly  12  is then placed on the rack R so that the assembly  12  is supported on the hangrail H by the lateral arm portions and the side panels (e.g., lateral arm portion  48   a  and side panel  62 ). When the base assembly  12  is properly positioned over the rack R, the tray-supporting surface  12   a  will slope from the center axis fo the hangrail H downwardly to the outer-most margin  12   b  and the outer-most margin  12   b  will extend radially over the hangrail H.  
     [0037] Next, the accessory products such as the hats P are packaged into the assembled product display trays  14 - 28  and the loaded display trays  14 - 28  are placed on the base assembly  12 . Particularly, the retaining tabs (e.g., the tabs  80 , 82  of the tray  22 ) are placed into the retaining tab-receiving slots on the truss sections (e.g., the slots  68 , 56  of the truss section  40 ) to place each of the display trays  14 - 28  in the operative position in a polygonal arrangement around the base assembly  12 . In the operative position, each of the outer-most edges (e.g., the edge  78   a  of the tray  22 ) projects radially beyond the outer perimeter of the hangrail H. The product display trays  14 - 28  can be nested with each, and/or nested with the modular truss sections  32 - 46  for shipping and/or storage. Once the products in a product display bin becomes depleted, the display tray can be simply removed from the base assembly  12 , discarded, and replaced with a new, prepacked, display tray.  
     [0038] As indicated above, it is within the ambit of the present invention to utilize various alternative configurations for the product display system, including alternatively configured base assemblies. One such preferred alternative embodiment is the product display system  100  illustrated in FIG. 4. The system  100  is similar in many respects to the previously described system  10  and is likewise configured for placement above a conventional clothing rack, such as the previously described rack R. The system  100  broadly includes a base assembly  102  and a product display tray  104 . Although not shown, the system  100 , just as with the system  10 , includes a plurality of product display trays, each configured and arranged in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the system  10 . It will further be appreciated that the system  100  could also include a sign assembly (not shown) similar to the previously detailed sign assembly  30 .  
     [0039] However, unlike the previously described base assembly  12 , the base assembly  102  is formed of metal wire to facilitate a more permanent display (e.g., a base assembly that is used over time to support several different product lines in numerous different disposable display trays). The base assembly  102  presents a non-solid tray-supporting surface  102   a  and a non-circular outer-most margin  102   b . The outer-most margin  102   b , unlike the margin  12   b , does not extend radially beyond the outer perimeter of the hangrail when supported thereon. However, the outer-most edge of the display tray  104  does extend radially beyond the outer perimeter of the hangrail. Unlike the solid tray-supporting surface  12   a , the surface  102   a  is primarily formed by the slotted tab-receiving frames  106 . The frames  106  support a portion of the bottom wall of the tray  104  as well as receive the retaining tabs of the tray  104 . Although the base assembly  102  is designed to be a more permanent display structure, the illustrated assembly  102  could be modular or permanently interconnected. For example, the assembly includes eight wire truss sections  108  interconnected by eight connecting rods  110 . The rods  110  could be removably connected to the truss sections  108  or permanently fixed thereto (e.g., welded, etc.).  
     [0040] The slotted tab-receiving frames could be variously alternatively configured and suitable preferred alternative embodiments are the frames  200  and  300  illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively. The frame  200  is similar in configuration to the frame  106 , however, the frame  200  is designed to enable the frame  200  to be formed by bending a single strand of wire, rather than having to fix separate components together. The frame  300  is designed to receive a laterally extending retaining tab. That is to say, the frame  300  is operable to receive a retaining tab that extends parallel to the tray-supporting surface rather than perpendicular thereto. Such a retaining tab could be integrally formed with the display tray or a separate component that slides under the tray to support the tray on the base assembly.  
     [0041] The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
     [0042] The inventor hereby states his intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.