Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   The present continuation-in-part application claims the benefit of application Ser. No. 10/117,572, filed on Apr. 4, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,037 which claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/349,940, filed on Jan. 18, 2001, both entitled “MODULAR DISPLAY RACK SYSTEM”, their contents are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 

   Modular display racks discussed herein generally relate to display racks for displaying merchandise items and, more specifically, to modular display racks that may be assemble and disassemble into different configurations. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Display racks having one or multiple display ladders are widely used in retail shops and departments stores to display merchandise such as clothing, toys, and food.  FIG. 1  is a semi-schematic isometric drawing of a prior-art ladder style display rack. Ladder style display racks, such as that shown in  FIG. 1 , are generally designed to be used with hangrail brackets  11  and shelf brackets (not shown). These hangrail brackets  11  and shelf brackets (not shown) engage the individual ladder steps  2  and provide extensions (similar to a shelf or an arm) to which hangers and folded clothing may be hung or spread out for display. 
   There are several disadvantages with the illustrated prior art display rack  1 . Among other things, the prior art display rack includes a welded upper rack portion  3  and a welded lower base portion  4 . The welded upper portion  3  includes ladders  5  joined together by a plurality of lateral support bars  6 . Because the joints between the lateral support bars  6  and the ladders  5  are welded, the upper portion  3  may be often quite large and heavy depending on the number of ladders used. 
   The base portion  4  may similarly be imposing to an individual handling and shipping the rack assembly  1 . The base portion  4  includes two end stabilizer bars  7  joined together by a cross-bar  8 . The end stabilizer bars  7  are usually also equipped with casters  9 . Thus, packaging and finding available couriers to transport the prior art rack system  1  may be burdensome. 
   Another deficiency with the illustrated prior art display rack  1  is that the welded joints between the stabilizer bars  7  and the ladders  5  may sometime crack or break due to the overall weight of the rack system  1 . In addition, due to the reasons discussed above, the rack system  1  may overall be heavy and difficult to manipulate. Furthermore, each configuration of the ladder rack system (i.e., a single ladder rack, a two ladder rack, a three ladder rack, and on occasions, a four ladder rack) requires separate inventory and production. This may be both expensive to produce and more difficult to minimize inventory. Among other things, several production procedures may be required for different rack configurations, making production more costly. Also, predicting which rack configuration to store may not be easy since the configuration that a customer is most likely to order may generally not be predicted. This may lead to the production and storage of multiple rack system with different configurations. 
   Accordingly, there remains a need for a modular display rack that is easily modifiable into different configurations. Such a modular display rack should, to the extent possible, be easier to assemble and disassemble then the display racks in the prior art. 
   SUMMARY 
   From a rack manufacturer&#39;s standpoint, display racks that are easy to assemble and disassemble have additional benefits. Racks of this type simplify inventory and are easier to package and ship via carriers such as UPS® and Federal Express®. In addition, modular racks that are capable of reducing into smaller components are easier to handle and require fewer workers and machines to manipulate. Such manipulation includes removing the components from their shelves and then packaging them for shipping. 
   Accordingly, the present invention utilizes detachable members to form a base and then permit individual components to removeably mount thereto to form a modular rack. To disassemble the modular rack into smaller components, the steps are simply reversed. 
   The modular rack can be installed as a single tower rack or as a rack of any tower size, limit only by the display area, by the addition or removal of the modular components such as the center stabilizer bars, removable cross-bars, center ladders, and lateral support bars. 
   The modular rack in accordance with practice of the present invention may include two ladder racks removably connected together by an upper horizontal bar and a lower horizontal bar, the two ladder racks each comprises two vertical braces and a base bar pivotally attached to a lower end of the two vertical braces via a pivot pin; and wherein the base bar is pivotable between a first position and a second position about the pivot pin. 
   Another modular display rack system provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention for displaying merchandise items may comprise a first end ladder rack comprising a first vertical brace having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface and a second vertical brace having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface; a plurality of cross braces connected to the inwardly facing surfaces of the first and second vertical braces of the first end ladder rack; a retaining aperture located on a lower portion of the inwardly facing surface of each of the first and second vertical braces; a base bar for supporting the first end ladder rack pivotally attached to the retaining aperture of each of the first and second vertical braces via a pivot pin; the base bar is moveable between a first position and a second position about the pivot pin; and wherein the first end ladder rack is removably attached to a second end ladder rack or a center ladder rack by a support bar, the support bar supporting the first end ladder rack and either the second end ladder rack or the center ladder rack laterally. 
   Still yet, another aspect of the prevention invention includes a method for erecting a modular display rack comprising attaching a first end ladder rack to either a second end ladder rack or a center ladder rack using support bar; the first end ladder rack comprising two vertical braces attached to one another by a plurality of cross braces; moving a base bar pivotally attached to the end ladder rack via a pivot pin from a first position to a second position; and fixing the base bar from pivotally rotating from the second position. 
   Other embodiments and variations may be implemented based on teachings of the disclosure and the drawings set forth herein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
       FIG. 1  is a semi-schematic isometric drawing of a prior art display rack; 
       FIG. 2  is a semi-schematic isometric drawing of a modular display rack in accordance with practice of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a semi-schematic isometric drawing of the modular display rack of  FIG. 1  in a double ladder configuration; 
       FIG. 4  is a semi-schematic isometric drawing of the modular display rack of  FIG. 1  in a single ladder configuration; 
       FIG. 5  is a front and side elevation view of an end ladder in accordance with practice of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a front and side elevation view of a center ladder in accordance with practice of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a front and side elevation view of a single unit ladder in accordance with practice of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a top plan view of a base bracket of detail A in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of a lateral support bar; 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of a flange mounted to the lateral support bar of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a front and side elevation view of a U-shape bracket of detail B in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the U-shape bracket of  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a top plan view of an end stabilizer bar in accordance with practice of the present invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a side elevation view of the end stabilizer bar of  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 15  is a top plan view of a joining bracket of detail C in  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a side elevation view of the joining bracket of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a top plan view of a center stabilizer bar in accordance with practice of the present invention; 
       FIG. 18  is a bottom plan view of a removable cross-bar of  FIG. 2  taken at line X—X; 
       FIG. 19  is a top plan view of a cross-style base of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 20  is a semi-schematic perspective view of an alternative modular display rack provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 21   a - 21   c  are semi-schematic perspective views of a quick connect/disconnect mechanism used with the modular display rack of  FIG. 20 ; 
       FIG. 22  is a semi-schematic perspective view of another alternative modular display rack provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention, which shows the quick connect/disconnect mechanism of  FIGS. 21   a - 21   c  in a folded upright position; 
       FIG. 23  is a semi-schematic exploded perspective view of a three tower modular rack system provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
       FIG. 24  is a semi-schematic perspective view of a six tower modular rack system provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
       FIG. 25  is a semi-schematic partial exploded perspective view of the three tower modular rack system of  FIG. 23  with a plurality of peripheral devices for displaying merchandise items; 
       FIG. 26  is a semi-schematic partial exploded perspective view of the three tower modular rack system of  FIG. 23  with a plurality of alternative peripheral devices for displaying merchandise items; and 
       FIG. 27  is a semi-schematic perspective view of the six tower modular display rack system of  FIG. 24  with a plurality of yet other alternative peripheral devices for displaying merchandise items. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the modular display rack in accordance with the present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the features and the steps for constructing and using the modular display rack of the present invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and structures may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, as denoted elsewhere herein, like element numbers are intended to indicate like or similar elements or features. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown an embodiment of a triple tower or a three-ladder modular display rack (hereinafter “display rack”), generally designated  10 . According to one embodiment, the modular display rack  10  may be disassembled into smaller components, allowing it to be portable and modular than prior art systems. The modular architecture of the display rack  10  allows it to be boxed up in small packages, assembled into a single ladder rack or multiple ladder racks, and inventoried by components instead of rack configurations since the single, double, and triple ladder racks do not have to be kept separately. 
   The display rack  10  according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2  includes an upper rack portion  12  and a lower base portion  14 . For a three-ladder rack system  10 , the upper rack portion  12  includes two end ladders  16  and a center ladder  18 . Assuming the vertical direction is the lengthwise direction and the horizontal direction is the direction of width of the ladder, the end and center ladders  16 ,  18  are interconnected by a plurality of removable lateral support bars  20  along the horizontal direction and to the base in the vertical direction, by a plurality of fasteners  21 . In an exemplary embodiment, there is an upper pair of lateral support bars  22  and a lower pair of lateral support bars  24 . These lateral support bars  22 ,  24  are removeably connected to the ladders by a detent-like arrangement. Each individual pairs of lateral support bars permit hangrail brackets  11  and shelf brackets (not shown) to be hung on either a first side  26  and/or a second side  28 . 
   The lower base portion  14  includes two end stabilizer bars  30 , a center stabilizer bar  32 , and two removable cross-bars  34  used to removeably connect the two end stabilizer bars  30  with the center stabilizer bar  32 . Each stabilizer bar  30 ,  32  is also equipped with casters  36 , which may be fixed or rail type casters. However, other casters may be used such as swivel stem style casters with breaks and locks. If used, these swivel stem style casters prevent the display rack  10  from moving when pushed accidentally. The stem style casters may screw or thread directly into the stabilizer bars  30 ,  32 , or, alternatively, thread into corresponding nuts (not shown) welded to the base of the stabilizer bars. Other casters and methods for installing the same are conventional in the art and may also be used as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a double tower or a two-ladder modular display rack  31 . Like the display rack of  FIG. 2 , the modular display rack  31  comprises an upper rack portion  12  and a lower base portion  14 . The upper rack portion  12  includes two end ladders  16  removeably secured to the base in the vertical direction by several fasteners  21 . The two removable end ladders  16  are attached to each other by an upper and a lower pair of lateral support bars  22 ,  24 . 
   The lower base portion  14  includes two end stabilizer bars  30  removeably secured to each other by a single cross-bar  34 . The lower base portion  14  also includes a plurality of casters  36 , which may be fixed or rail type casters. However, as discussed above, other casters may be used such as swivel stem style casters with breaks and locks. 
   As readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, the double tower display rack  31  is a subcombination of the triple tower display rack shown in FIG.  2 . To create the double tower display rack  31  from the triple tower display rack  10 , the center ladder  18 , the two pair of lateral support bars  22 ,  24 , the center stabilizer bar  32 , and one of the removable cross-bars  34  are removed from the triple tower rack  10 . Conversely, to assemble a multiple tower rack, such as a four tower rack or higher, additional center ladders  18 , cross-bars  34 , and lateral support bars  20 , collectively referred to as rack components, are added. This eliminates the need for the advance production and storage of pre-welded multiple tower racks. Racks of different configurations may now be created via the addition or the removal of the rack components. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown and described a single tower or a single ladder display rack  38  in accordance with practice of the present invention. The single ladder display rack  38  comprises an upper rack portion  12  and a lower base portion  14 . The upper rack portion  12  includes a slightly modified single unit ladder  40 . It is slightly modified with respect to the end ladder  16  and the center ladder  18  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . As further discussed below, the single unit ladder  40  may be similar to the end and center ladders  16 ,  18  except for the lack of side mounted U-shape brackets. However, for ease of inventory or the minimization of components, an end ladder  16  or a center ladder  18  may be used in place of the single unit ladder  40  to provide the same overall functionality. 
   The lower base portion  14  of the single ladder display rack  38  includes a single cross-style base  42 . To minimize the number of different components, the cross-style base  42  may be assembled by removeably securing two half-bars  44  onto the center stabilizer bar  32 . Accordingly, one component used for the single tower that may not be present in the double tower and the triple tower rack is the half-bars  44  used in the single cross-style base  42 . 
   The cross-style base  42  also utilizes a plurality of casters  36 . As discussed above, these casters may be a fixed type, a flanged type, a swivel type and the like. Accordingly, minor changes between caster types are contemplated to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 5-19  are now referred for a detailed description of the various components embodied in the display racks of  FIGS. 2-4 . Specifically,  FIG. 5  is a semi-schematic diagram of the end ladder  16  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . According to one embodiment of the invention, the end ladder  16  includes a pair of U-shape brackets  46 . The end ladder  16  also includes a pair of vertical braces  48  taking the form of rectangular tubing pieces. The upper end  50  of each vertical brace  48  may be machined, rolled, or extruded (collectively “machined”) with a smooth finish for aesthetic appeal and for eliminating sharp edges. This upper end  50  may be shaped in a half-dome, half arrow, or any other shapes helping to eliminate sharp edges and providing a minimum aesthetic appeal. The lower end  52 , because it braces onto a stabilizer bar, is machined with a flat finish. 
   The pair of vertical braces  48  is fixedly secured together by a plurality of cross-braces  54 . The number of cross-braces in the ladder  16  depends on the length of the ladder. The vertical braces  48  and the cross braces  54  have the following configuration: L×W×D, where L is the length, W is the width, and D is the depth of the rectangular tubing (FIG.  5 A). In an embodiment where each vertical brace  48  has a width X, each of the cross-braces  54 , which may also be made from rectangular tubing pieces, have a depth that is less than half X. This provides, at each cross-brace to vertical brace welded location, space for accommodating a pair of cross-braces  54 . In other words, at the top cross-brace location  56 , two cross-braces  54 , one superimposed over the other but separated by a small gap, are welded to the pair of vertical braces  48 . Thus, two times the depth of the cross-brace plus the small gap should be the same as or slightly less than the width of the vertical brace  48 . Exemplary dimensions are further discussed below. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown and described a center ladder  18  in accordance with practice of the present invention. The center ladder  18  may be similar to the end ladder  16  except that the center ladder includes two sets of U-shape brackets  46  on each side of the vertical brace  48 . This allows the center brace  18  to be used in the center of any multiple ladder arrangements and be used to join adjacent ladders together by way of removeably securing lateral support bars to the U-shape brackets  46 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a single unit ladder  40  is shown and described. The single unit ladder  40  may be similar to the end ladder except for the lack of U-shape brackets welded to the vertical braces  48 . The U-shape brackets are not included in the single unit ladder  40  since it is used as a stand-alone tower rack, and not contemplated to be expanded into other configurations. 
   Although the end, center, and single unit ladders of  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  7  are shown having a particular dimension with a particular number of cross-braces, a person skilled in the art should recognize that alternative dimensions and alternative number of cross-braces may also be used. The dimensions and number of cross-braces may also be customizable based on needs and requests of merchants and customers. Similarly, instead of welding a pair of cross-braces at each of the cross-brace to vertical brace location or using a U-shape bracket (for allowing hangrail brackets  11  and shelf brackets (not shown) to be mounted on either a first side  26  and/or a second side  28  of the rack), a single cross-brace and/or a single U-shape bracket may be used. If so, for a particular attachment location, only a single hangrail, a single shelf bracket, or a single removable lateral support bar may be used. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown and described a base bracket  58 , which is a blown up view of detail A indicated in FIG.  5 . According to one embodiment, the base bracket  58  is a flat steel plate having two through holes  60  machined therein. The base bracket  58  is fixedly secured to the vertical braces  48  by any number of known welding methods, including arc welding, brazing, and resistance welding. The two through holes  60  allow a pair of fasteners  21  to be inserted therethrough and to tighten the ladder against a stabilizer bar such as, stabilizer  30  or  32 . It is understood that any number of welding methods apply whenever the term “weld”, “welded”, or “welding” is used. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , there is shown and described an exemplary lateral support bar  20 , which can be the upper  22  or the lower lateral support bar  24 . The lateral support bar can be made from a rectangular tubing piece and is welded on each end by a flange  62 . The flange  62  includes an engagement tip  64  configured to engage a U-shape bracket  46  in a detent-like fashion. The flange  62  may be made from a flat steel plate. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , there is shown and described an exemplary U-shape bracket  46 , which is a blown up view of detail B indicated in FIG.  6 . According to one embodiment, the U-shape bracket  46  is a steel channel having two sides  66  and a base  68 . Each of the two sides  66  comprises a square finish  70  or a rounded finish, a first open face  72 , and a rear attachment face  74 . The open face  72  allows a lateral support bar  20 , when set in position, to slide in-between the two sides  66  and rest on top of the base  68 . Conversely, the rear attachment face  74  is configured to be welded to a main vertical brace  48  by its two end surfaces  76  (FIG.  12 ). As indicated, the base  68  terminates short of the rear attachment face  74  to form a receiving channel  78 . Accordingly, when a lateral support bar  20  is set in position inside the U-shape bracket  46 , the receiving channel  78  provides an opening or a gap for the engagement tip  64  located on the flange  62 , which, as discussed, is located on each of the ends of the lateral support bar  20  (FIG.  9 ). Accordingly, the engagement tip  64  and the receiving channel  78  interact to removeably secure one ladder with another ladder (such as securing one end ladder  16  to a center ladder  18 ). 
   In an exemplary embodiment, two U-shape brackets  46  are welded, side-by-side, to the main vertical brace  48 . In this fashion, the two U-shape brackets  48  may accommodate two lateral support bars  20  in a side-by-side fashion to provide two hanging surfaces for hangrails  11  and the like. In order to allow sufficient space for the engagement end of the hangrail to engage the lateral support bar  20 , the two U-shape brackets  46  may be welded with a flat plate (not shown) disposed therebetween. According to one embodiment, this plate serves to not only add structural rigidity to the two U-shape brackets, but also fix or define a gap in-between the U-shape brackets to enable the engagement end of the hangrail  11  to grab onto. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , there is shown and described an end stabilizer bar  30 , also referred to as a base bar, in accordance with practice of the present invention. The end stabilizer bar  30  includes two leg extension pieces  82  welded to a center load-bearing piece  80 . Again, all three pieces, the two leg extension pieces  82  and the center load-bearing piece  80 , may be made from rectangular tubing. In an exemplary embodiment, at the end  84  of each leg extension  82 , a tapered or slanted finish  84  is provided. This serves to both beautify the ends of the stabilizer bar  30  and eliminate sharp edges. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the center load-bearing piece  80  includes two through holes  86 . These through holes  86 , which extend the entire width of the center load bearing piece, are positioned so that when an end ladder  16  is mounted to the end stabilizer bar  30  by, for example, positioning the base bracket  58  directly over the center load bearing piece  80 , the through holes  86  align with the through holes  60  on the base bracket  58 . After the through holes  60 ,  86  are aligned, a pair of fasteners  21 , such as a pair of bolt and nut combination, may be inserted therethrough and tightened. A person skilled in the art should recognize that any other number of through holes may be used depending on the width of the center load bearing piece and the dimension of the holes. 
   A joining bracket  88  is provided which is welded to one of the axial ends of the center load-bearing piece  80 . A pair of nuts  90  are also provided and welded onto the joining bracket  88  to serve as gripping points for a pair of bolts (not shown). Thus, to join two end stabilizer bars  30  (or one end stabilizer bar  30  and one center stabilizer bar  32 ) together, a removable cross-bar  34  is placed over the joining bracket  88  in a telescoping fashion. A pair of bolts (not shown) are then inserted and tightened against the pair of nuts  90  to thereby removeably secure the cross-bar  34  to the end stabilizer bar  30 . As discussed above, the lower base portion  14  may be practiced with swivel type casters. When that is the case, the two leg extensions  82  are fitted or welded with a pair of swivel nuts  92 . The swivel type casters can then thread or screw directly into the swivel nuts  92  to be removeably secured the casters thereto. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , there is shown and described the joining bracket  88  discussed in reference with  FIGS. 13 and 14 , which are blown up drawings of detail C in FIG.  13 . In the illustrated embodiment, the joining bracket  88  is an extended L-shape bracket that includes a first tall side  94  and a second short side  96 . The second short side  96  allows access to the central portion where the nuts  90  can be welded to the bracket. In addition, because the joining bracket  88  is designed to fit into one of the ends of a removable cross-bar  34  in a telescoping fashion, the second shorter side  96  has the effect of reducing drag or friction as the removable cross-bar  34  engages the joining bracket  88 . Thus, because of the telescoping style arrangement, it is understood that the joining bracket  88  has a smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the cross-bar. A person skilled in the art should recognize, however, that instead of a tall side and a short side, two tall sides may be used to render a U-shape bracket. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 17 , there shown and described a top plan view of the center stabilizer bar  32  of FIG.  2 . The center stabilizer bar  32  may be similar to the end stabilizer bar  30  except that the center stabilizer bar includes two joining brackets  88  instead of one. This enables the center stabilizer bar  32  to be used in-between two end stabilizer bars  30  and be connected on each side by a removable cross-bar  34 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 18 , there is shown and described a removable cross-bar  34  taken along reference line X—X of FIG.  2 . According to one embodiment, the removable cross-bar  34  is made from rectangular tubing and is drilled on both ends with a pair of holes  98 . The holes are configured so that they align with the pair of nuts  90  welded to the joining bracket  88  (FIG.  15 ). Accordingly, when the removable cross-bar  34  is slid over the joining bracket  88  in a telescoping fashion, the holes  98  align with the nuts  90  on the joining bracket  88 . In this fashion, a pair of bolts may then be inserted to removeably secure the cross-bar  34  with one of the end stabilizer bars  30  or one of the center stabilizer bars  32 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 19 , there is shown and described a top plan view of the cross-style base  42  of FIG.  4 . The cross-style base  42  may be a center stabilizer bar  32  with two half-bars  44  mounted in a telescoping fashion with the two joining brackets  88 . Alternatively, the joining brackets  88  may be eliminated altogether by welding two half-bars  44  directly onto the center stabilizer bar  32 . This alternative method will produce a cross-style base  42  that is permanently fixed. 
   In general terms, a multi-tower rack may be assembled in the following fashion with reference to  FIGS. 2-4 . In assembling the lower base portion  14 , two end stabilizer bars  30  are fastened with one center stabilizer bar  32  for creating a three-tower rack. A cross-bar  34  is slid over the joining bracket  88  of the end stabilizer bar  30  and tightened with a pair of bolts at the cross-bar holes  98 . The other end of the cross-bar  34  is then slid over the joining bracket  88  of the center stabilizer bar  30  and then tightened with another pair of bolts. This is then repeated on the other side with another end stabilizer bar  30  and another cross-bar  34  to form the base. After the lower base portion  14  is assembled, it may be disassembled by reversing the steps. 
   In assembling the upper rack portion  12 , two end ladders  16  are fastened on the two end stabilizer bars  30  by inserting a pair of bolts at the base bracket  58  through the through holes  86  of each end ladder  16 . The U-shape brackets  46  on each of the end ladders  16  are turned so that they face inward, toward the center stabilizer bar  32 . In the same fashion, a center ladder  18  is mounted over the center stabilizer bar  32 . Eight lateral support bars  20  are then used to removeably secure the two end ladders  16  with the center ladder  18 . This is done by lowering the flange ends  62  of the lateral support bars into corresponding pair of U-shape brackets  46 . The engagement tips  64  of the various flanges  62  should slide into their respective receiving channels  78 . Once the upper rack portion  12  is assembled, it may be disassembled by reversing the steps. 
   A modular display rack system  100  provided in accordance with other aspects of the present is shown in  FIG. 20 , which includes a lower base portion  14  having a quick connect/disconnect mechanism  102 , and an upper base portion  12  having an attachment mechanism  104 . The display rack system  100  is similar to the display rack system shown in  FIGS. 2-4  in that it also includes end ladders  106  removeably secured to one another by a plurality of lateral support bars  20 . The end ladders  106  are each formed by connecting a plurality of cross-braces  54  to two vertical braces  48 . As before, peripheral connecting devices  105 ,  108  for hanging and displaying merchandise items may be attached to the display rack system  100  along a first side  26 , a second side  28 , or even a third side  110 , which is perpendicular to the first and the second sides. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 21   a , a semi-schematic partial exploded view of the modular display rack system  100  of  FIG. 20  is shown. The lower end section  112  of one of the end ladder racks  106  include a joining bracket  114  for joining one end of a cross bar  34 , which then joins to another joining bracket of another end ladder rack  106  (or a center ladder rack) to form a display rack system (FIG.  20 ). In one exemplary embodiment, the joining bracket  114  is sized to be received in the opening  115  of the cross-bar  34 , which telescopically mounts over the joining bracket  114  to engage therewith. The joining bracket  114  may comprise a rectangular tubing welded to a lower exterior surface  116  of the vertical brace  48 , or to both vertical braces  48  for a center ladder rack, as further discussed below. Alternatively, a C-channel, an angle or L-channel, or other equivalent brackets may be used instead of the rectangular tubing for implementing the joining bracket  114 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 21   b  in addition to  FIG. 21   a , a fastener  118  is threadedly engaged to a first surface  120  of the joining bracket  114 . More preferably, the fastener  118  projects through an opening on the first surface  120  of the joining bracket  114  and fastens to a nut (not shown). The nut may be welded subjacent the opening on an underside surface of the first surface  120 . The cross-bar  34  may be joined to the joining bracket  114  by sliding the opening  115  of the cross-brace over the joining bracket and aligning a slot  122  positioned proximate the opening  115  around the fastener  118 . The fastener  118  may then be fastened against the to suface of the cross bar  34  to secure the cross-bar with the joining bracket  114 . For reference purposes, the lateral support bars  20  may be referred to herein as upper horizontal bars and the cross-bars  34  may be referred to herein as lower horizontal bars. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 21   c  in addition to  FIG. 21   a , a quick connect/disconnect mechanism  102  is shown for securing a stabilizer bar  124  to an end ladder rack  106  (or to a center ladder rack). The quick connect/disconnect mechanism  102  comprises a locking pin  126 , a locking flange  128 , and a resilient member  130 . In one exemplary embodiment, the locking pin  126  includes a longitudinal planar surface  132  extending the entire length of the locking pin and an optional pair of spaced part position locators or notches  134   a ,  134   b . A pair of spring clips, C-clips, or hairpin clips  135   a ,  135   b  may be utilized to engage the notches  134   a ,  134   b  if incorporated, or directly to the locking pin to frictionally grip the surface of the locking pin, if not incorporated. The locking flange  128  includes a chamfered opening  136  sized to receive the locking pin  126  and may incorporate any number of shapes, including a rectangle, a rhombus, a square, etc. The chamfered opening  136  includes a planar section  138  sized to abut the longitudinal planar surface  132  of the locking pin  126  to eliminate relative rotation between the locking pin and the flange  128 . 
   The locking flange  128  further includes a pair of male detents or tabs  140  for engaging a pair of locking apertures  142  of the stabilizer bar or base bar  124 . The locking apertures  142  are positioned adjacent a central opening  144  of the stabilizer bar, which is adapted to receive the locking pin  126 . The locking apertures  142  and the central opening  144  may extend the width of the stabilizer bar, i.e., are present on both surfaces of the stabilizer bar. The stabilizer bar  124  may include a pair of stationary or rotatable casters  36  for facilitating moving the modular display rack. 
   As previously discussed, the vertical braces  48  of the end ladder rack  106  (and of the center ladder rack, as further discussed below) may generally be made from rectangular tubing. The vertical braces  48  each comprises an inwardly facing surface  146  and an outwardly facing surface  148 . For reference purposes, inwardly facing surfaces of a pair of adjacent vertical braces  48  (of either a center ladder rack or an end ladder rack) face one another. A retaining aperture  150  may be located at or near the lower end section  112  of each inwardly facing surface  146  of each vertical brace  48 , but not on the outwardly facing surface  148  of the same vertical brace. The retaining aperture  150  comprises a chamfered opening and includes a planar section  152  sized to abut with the longitudinal planar surface  132  of the locking pin  126  to eliminate rotation of the locking pin relative to the vertical brace  48 . However, it is envisioned that alternative quick connect/disconnect mechanisms may be made to operate with retaining apertures  150  positioned on the outwardly facing surfaces instead of or in addition to the inwardly facing surfaces of the vertical braces. For example, such retaining apertures may be incorporated to enable the locking pins to extend through the vertical braces. 
   The quick connect/disconnect mechanism  102  is mounted to the stabilizer bar  124  and the end ladder rack  106  by first inserting the locking pin  126  through the central opening  144  of the stabilizer bar  124 . The locking pin  126  should be inserted so that the notches  134   a ,  134   b  on the locking pin  126  straddle either side (on the outside surface) of the stabilizer bar  124 . The clips  135   a ,  135   b  are then engaged with the notches  134   a ,  134   b  on the locking pin  126  to confine the stabilizer bar  124  to an area between the two notches  134   a ,  134   b , i.e., the stabilizer bar should be fixed axially along the locking pin between the notches. 
   The opening  136  on the flange  128  is then mounted over the locking pin  126 , on either end of the locking pin until the male detents  140  on the flange engage the locking apertures  142  of the stabilizer bar  124 . The resilient member  130  is now assembled over the end of the locking pin  126  on the end where the flange  128  is positioned. The quick connect/disconnect mechanism  102  and the stabilizer bar  124  are now assembled to the end ladder rack  106  by forcing the two ends of the locking pin into the retaining apertures  150  of the inwardly facing surfaces  146  of the vertical braces  48 . The vertical braces  48  will momentarily and reversibly deflect or bend to enable the pin of the quick connect/disconnect mechanism  102  to be received by the retaining apertures  150  of the inwardly facing surfaces  146 . Alternatively, a spring bias telescopic rod may be used for the locking pin  126 , two or more resilient members  130  may be used instead of one, and a tongue and groove arrangement instead of a chamfered surface for rotational control of the components of the quick connect/disconnect mechanism may be used. Other variations for implementing a quick connect/disconnect mechanism are also contemplated and are deemed to fall within the scope of the present invention. 
   Another modular display rack system  101  provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 22 , which incorporates the quick connect/disconnect mechanism  102  of  FIGS. 21   a - 21   c . The display rack system  101  comprises an end ladder rack  106  joined to a center ladder rack  154  by a plurality of lateral support bars  20  and a cross bar  34 . The center ladder rack  154  is then connected to either an end ladder rack or another center ladder rack (not shown) via another set of lateral support bars  20  (partially shown) and cross bar  34  (partially shown). An end stabilizer bar  124  is connected to the lower end section  112  of the end ladder rack  106  and to the center ladder rack  154  using the quick connect/disconnect mechanism  102  of the present invention. The center ladder rack  154  differs from the end ladder rack  106  in that it has joining brackets  114  and U-shaped brackets  46  on the exterior surfaces  116  of both of its vertical braces  48 . As previously discussed, there may be one or two U-shaped brackets  46  at each U-shaped bracket location. 
   In one embodiment, the end stabilizer bar  124  may be rotated from a first normal support position ( FIG. 20 ) to a second folded upright position (FIG.  22 ). The rotation of the end stabilizer bar  124  from the first normal support position to the second folded upright position may be accomplished by moving the flange  128  to compress the resilient member  130 . A finger gripping portion may be incorporated on the flange to facilitate manipulating the flange to compress the resilient member. The compression action causes the tabs  140  of the flange  128  to disengage from the locking apertures  142  of the stabilizer bar  124 . The stabilizer bar  124  is then free to rotate about the locking pin, which acts as a pivot pin, until a bar end  156  is positioned in the folded space  158  of the end ladder rack  106  (or center ladder rack  154 ). The folded space  158  is defined by the lower most cross brace  54  and portions of the two vertical braces  48  near the lower end section  112  of either the end ladder rack or center ladder rack. The flange  128  may then be released and when released is urged by the resilient member  30  against the end stabilizer bar  124 . The two tabs  140  of the flange now engage with the edges of end stabilizer bar  124  to maintain the end stabilizer bar in the second folded upright position. Alternatively, if the stabilizer bar  124  is in a first normal support position (FIG.  20 ), it may be moved to a second folded upright position ( FIG. 22 ) in a reversed manner as discussed above. 
   The end stabilizer bar  124  may be attached to either the end ladder rack  106  and/or the center ladder rack  154  at the manufacturing plant and shipped to a retailer, a department store, or an end user in the folded upright position. Alternatively, the end stabilizer bar  124  and the quick connect/disconnect mechanism  102  may be shipped separately and assembled on site to use in the manner and fashion described in the foregoing paragraphs. To form the modular display rack system  101  of  FIG. 22 , a cross bar  34  may be mounted over a joining bracket  114  ( FIGS. 21   a  and  21   b ) of the end ladder rack  106  and to one or more center ladder racks  154  to form a three or more modular tower display rack system. Lateral support bars  20  are then attached to adjacent U-shaped brackets  46  of adjacent ladder racks to provide lateral support to two adjacent ladder racks (i.e., to either two end ladder racks, two center ladder racks, or one end ladder and one center ladder rack). 
     FIG. 23  shows a semi-schematic exploded perspective view of a three tower modular display rack system  160  provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The modular display rack system  160  comprises two end ladder racks  106  and one center ladder rack  154 . The two end ladder racks  106  may be removably joined to the center ladder rack  154  using two cross bars  34  to connect with the joining brackets  114  located near the lower end  112  of each of the ladder racks. Four sets of lateral support bars  20  are used to engage with 8 sets of U-shape brackets to support the ladder racks laterally, i.e., perpendicular to the height of the ladder racks. Each set of lateral support bars and U-shape brackets may comprise two lateral support bars and two U-shaped brackets or just one of each. End stabilizer bars  124  may be mounted to the lower end of the ladder racks  106 ,  154  to support the modular display rack system  160 . The ladder racks  106 ,  154  may be supplied with the end stabilizer bars  124  mounted at the factory or separately installed on site, as previously discussed. In either scenario, the end stabilizer bars  124  must be rotated to the normal support position ( FIG. 20 ) before the modular display rack may be used to display merchandise items. 
   A semi-schematic perspective view of another modular display rack system  162  provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention is shown in FIG.  24 . The display rack system  162  is similar to the display rack system  160  of  FIG. 23  except that three additional center ladder racks  154  and corresponding number of cross bars  34 , lateral support bars  20 , and end stabilizer bars  124  are added to form the six ladder rack modular display rack system  162 . Alternatively, fewer or more center ladder racks  154  may be added to decrease or increase the size of the modular display rack system. 
   The display rack system  160  of  FIG. 23  is again shown in  FIG. 25  along with several peripheral devices  105 ,  108 ,  164 . One peripheral device can be a straight arm hangrail  105  having an engagement bracket  166  for engaging a vertical brace  48 , a lateral support bar  20 , or a cross brace  54 . The straight arm hangrail  105  comprises a beam surface for hangers, hooks, and the like to hang on. Another peripheral device is a U-shaped hanging bracket  108 . The U-shape hanging bracket  108  comprises two outwardly extending arms  168  connected to one another by a connecting arm  170  to form a U-shaped surface for hangers and the like to hang from. The ends of the outwardly extending arms  168  each comprises an engagement bracket  166  for engaging with a vertical brace  48 , a lateral support bar  20 , or a cross brace  54 . The engaging brackets  166  may comprise C-channels and C-channels with notches and slots cut out in the walls of the channels to engage with the vertical brace  48 , the lateral support bar  20 , or the cross brace  54 , or any combination thereof. 
   A peripheral device comprising a shelf  164  may also be used with the modular display rack system  160  of the present invention. The shelf  164  may comprise two or more engaging brackets  166  formed on the underside of the top shelf surface  170  to engage with either the vertical brace  48 , the lateral support bar  20 , or the cross brace  54 . Once mounted, the shelf  164  may function as display surface for merchandise items, such as clothes, toys, food, etc. The shelf  164  may be made from steel, wood, thermoplastic, fiberglass, or other materials having sufficient hardness and rigidity to provide support for merchandise items. 
   A semi-schematic perspective view of the modular display rack  160  of  FIG. 25  is again shown in  FIG. 26  with alternative peripheral devices. In one embodiment, the modular display rack system  160  may include one or more T-hangrails  172 , one or more rising hangrails  178 , one or more sloping arm hangrails  180 , and one or more display boxes  182 . The T-hangrail  172  shown comprises a first arm section  174  having an engaging bracket  166  attached to one end thereof and a second arm section  176  attached to the end opposite the engaging bracket. The ends of the second arm section  176  may include flanges  62  (See, e.g.,  FIGS. 9 and 10 ) to shield sharp edges of the second arm section and to provide a stop ledge for clothe hangers and hooks, i.e., to prevent the same from sliding off of the second arm section. 
   The rising hang rails  178  shown include a first arm section  174  having an axis attached to an engagement bracket  184  having a different axis. The axis of the first arm section  174  is offset from the axis of the engagement bracket  184  to enable the rising hangrail  178  to be hung from the second set of cross brace  54   a , third set of cross brace  54   b , and so forth. This offset configuration allows the rising hangrail  178  to be hung without the first arm section  174  or the second arm section  178  of the rising hangrail hitting or abutting any part of the tower rack or any part of the display tower, i.e., the offset provides clearance for the rising hangrail to be hung on any of the cross braces along the height of a particular ladder rack. 
   A sloping arm hangrail  180  may also be used with the modular display rack system  160  of the present invention. The sloping arm hangrail  180  comprises an arm section  186  attached to an engagement bracket  166 , and more particularly to a side of the C-channel of the engagement bracket at an angle. The arm section  186  comprises a plurality of spaced apart bumps  188 , which act to distribute hangers or hooks that are hung on the sloping arm hangrail  180  to prevent them from collecting together. 
   Display boxes  182  having a width W, a height H, and a depth D may also be used with the modular display rack system  160  of the present invention. The display boxes  182  may be made from wood, thermoplastic, thin sheet metal, and the like and attached to one or more stabilizer bars  124  to provide shelf space for merchandise items. The width D, height H, and depth D of the display boxes  182  may vary depending on needs and aesthetic appeal of the end user. 
   A semi-schematic perspective view of the modular display rack  162  of  FIG. 24  is shown in  FIG. 27  with a plurality of peripheral devices mounted thereto for providing surfaces for displaying merchandise items. Although the plurality of peripheral devices are shown concentrated on the first three ladder racks, they may be mounted anywhere on the modular display rack system  162  in any fashion a user desires. For example, the peripheral devices may be spaced apart along the first side  26 , the second side  28 , or the third side  110  of the modular display rack and along all six tower racks  106 ,  154 . 
   As shown, a U-shaped hanging bracket  108  is hung on a first side  26  of the modular display rack  162 . The U-shaped hanging bracket  108  may also include a wire meshed basket hung on the frame of the U-shaped bracket to provide a pocket, such as a drawer, for displaying items, such as socks, packaged food, etc. Another peripheral device shown is a shelf hangrail  190  comprising a shelf surface  192  hung to either the cross braces  54  or lateral support bars  20  of the modular display rack system  162 . An angled shelf hangrail  194  comprising a shelf surface  196  positioned at an angle to two or more engagement brackets (not shown) is also shown. As readily apparent, the particular peripheral devices shown are exemplary only and variations in the structures and the manner and fashion in which peripheral devices are used with the modular display racks of the present invention to display merchandise items are contemplated. 
   Listed below are exemplary rectangular tubing and bracket dimensions. However, it is understood that these are exemplary only and that other dimensions, thickness, etc. may be altered without changing the scope of the invention. Accordingly, a mere change in size or dimension is contemplated within the present invention.
         Main vertical brace  48 —1338 mm L×38 mm W×12.7 mm D   Cross-brace  54 —102 mm L×34 mm W×12.7 mm D   Base bracket  58 —4″ L×1.5″ W× 1/16″ -⅛″ thick   U-shape bracket  46 —25.4 mm L×40 mm W×17.2 mm D×2 mm thick   Lateral support bar  20 —508 mm L×35.6 mm W×12.7 mm D   Flange  62 —47.6 mm L×12.7 mm W× 1/16″ to ⅛″ thick   Extended L-shape bracket  88 —50.8 mm L×54.5 mm W (tall side)×36.6 mm D×19 mm W (short side)× 1/16″ to ⅛″ thick   Leg extension piece  82 —282.5 mm L×60.2 mm W×40.6 mm D   Center load bearing piece  80 —127 mm L×60.2 mm W×406 mm D   Tubing can have a range of 11—20 gauge, and where necessary 3/16″ or even ¼″       

   Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described with some specificity, the description and drawings set forth herein are not intended to be delimiting, and persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications may be made to the embodiments discussed herein without departing from the scope of the invention, and all such changes and modifications are intended to be encompassed within the appended claims. Various changes to the modular display rack may be made including manufacturing the entire rack out of square tubing, changing the dimension of the tubing pieces, adding more or fewer cross-braces and U-shape brackets, changing the metallurgy, changing the finish (from nickel to grinded steel finish or brush steel finish), using posts instead of casters, and changing the type of casters. Other changes may also include using different means to practice the quick connect/disconnect mechanism disclosed herein, including using a spring loaded telescopic pivot pin, using two resilient members, using fewer or more clamps, etc. Accordingly, many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 1