Display rack

Application filed February

This invention relates to a display device or rack and particularly to a device for exhibiting magazines or other periodicals.

In the sale of magazines, newspapers, 6 charts or other publications, the proper display of the article plays an important part.

Ordinarily, magazines, books or the like are displayed by arrangement on counters in overlapping rows or provided with clips and 10 suspended on strings about sales booths. Owing to the vast number of different publications, it is difficult to properly dispose all the different articles in a conspicuous manner and furthermore, the arrangement of the 15 magazines, etc., is a time consuming and laborious operation. Usually it is necessary for the vender to arrange his magazines each morning and to take them down at closing time.

An object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a simple and effective means for quickly and conveniently placing magazines or like articles on display.

Another object of the invention is to pro25 vide a portable device for the display of magazines or the like.

Another object of the invention is to pro. vide a device having means so arranged and constructed as to provide a predetermined so order of prominence for the certain selected articles to be displayed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be understood as the description proceeds. :.

₃₅ The invention is applicable for use in connection with all forms of publications and the word periodicals as used throughout the specification and claims, is intended to be construed as covering magazines, newspapers.

₄₀ charts, pamphlets and the like.

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a display ₄₅ board or rack constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the board shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front view of another form of ₅₀ display rack embodying the present inventive idea;

~ Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the rack taken on line 4—4 in Fig. 3; and,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of one of

2,1928. Serial No. 251,249.

the.lower clamps of the rack shown in Fig. 3.

An embodiment of the present invention may comprise a support-member or board 10 having feet or bracket members 11 arranged to hold the board 10 in a vertical position. It 60 is obvious that any suitable form of bracket members may be employed. The said board may be provided with means for attaching thereto magazines or other articles and may constitute a display rack. The articles may 65 then be conveniently and conspicuously displayed by positioning the board or rack in front of a store or sales booth.

For the purpose of holding magazines or the like, the rack is provided with spring 70 fingers or clamps and as shown in Fig. 1, support rods or shafts 12 may be secured to the board 10 by having the ends of the shafts bent at right angles and embedded in the board. Along the shafts are provided 75 spring fingers or clips 13 comprised in the present construction of wires bent to form helical springs 14 about the shafts intermediate the ends of an angular member 15, the said member having its ends looped about the 80 shafts. Each of the members 15 is held under tension by reason of the springs 14, one 'end of which engages the member 15, the other end being secured in the board. With this construction of clips, it will be evident 85· that the shafts 12 may be easily applied in any desired space relation and the clips 13 may be provided in any suitable number and given space relation. Fig. 1 shows one such arrangement whereby magazines of various go sizes may be held for display, it being possible to give certain selected magazines positions of prominence over others. Fig. 2 shows a plurality of sets uf shafts 12 arranged for holding a plurality of given size 95 magazines’ while at the top of the board and in the most desirable location, a pair of independent clips 16 and 17 are shown including short shafts 18, the general construction being the same as the clips previously de- 100 scribed.

Figs. 3 to 5 show another form of the present invention in which an upright or standard 20 is employed and provided with suitable supporting legs 21. Along the stand- 105 ard and in vertical spaced relation are provided a plurality of holders or clips 22. Each holder consists of a continuous piece of wire or rod having a loop or elbow 23, the ends of which are bent to helical form to provide 110

1,726,537 springs 24 having ends 25 threaded and extending through the standard 20 and secured thereto by nuts 26 and 27.

The construction of the clip 22 is such that 5 portions 28 are provided to support the edges of books or magazines and a plurality of such articles may be held not only for display but for vending purposes.

In addition to the standard for holding and 10 displaying articles the same may be equipped with a cross-piece 29 having a plurality of gripping-members or clips 30 disposed in spaced relation along the length thereof.

The said clips 30 may be of similar con15 struction. and mounted on a shaft or rod 31. Each of the clips 30 may comprise a length of wire bent to provide a gripper-finger 32 having portions bent to helical form to provide springs 33 surrounding the shaft 31. 20 The ends of the finger may be embedded in the cross-piece thus causing the gripper-fingers to normally press upon the cross-piece.

In the display of magazines or the like, it is desirable in certain cases to elevate the 25 articles as, for example, in crowded thoroughfares so that the articles may be seen above the heads of the persons in close proximity to the rack or stand. Heretofore, it has been found inconvenient to arrange ar30 tides in an elevated position since it was necessary to position the articles above normal reach to secure them in place.

For the purpose of aiding in the disposition of the magazines in the present elevated 35 rack, each clip 30 is provided with a lever 34 having one arm attached to a drop cord or rod 35 and the other arm secured to the gripper-finger 32 by a link 36.

A downward pull on the rod 35 will act to 40 lift the gripper-finger for the reception of a magazine and a release of the rod will cause the gripper-finger to secure the magazine or other article.

The advantage of the last mentioned means 45 for the display of elevated articles will be evident when it is appreciated that, whereas, it is normally impossible for the average height attendant to reach the clips to open them to secure an article, he may by means 60 of the rod 35, open the clip and by grasping a magazine at its lower end may quickly and conveniently insert the upper end under the clip. This operation may be repeated without the usual fatigue which has heretofore 55 accompanied the daily arrangement of magazines.

It is to be understood that the cross-piece as shown in Fig. 3 is only one example of its use. Many other uses will readily suggest themselves, for instance, strips of longer 60 length than the said cross-piece may be disposed along the upper edge of a booth or in a store where periodicals are sold to facilitate the disposition of articles overhead. Furthermore the rods 35 need not project 65 below the edge of the average size magazine so that when the magazine is in place, the rod will be invisible.

The present invention makes it possible for a salesman or book-store attendant to 70 quickly and conveniently display a large number of articles in conspicuous positions. ·.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described herein, it is to be understood that modifications may 75 be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.