Display rack

July 14, 1942.

R. A. BRENHOLT

DISPLAY RACK

Filed Jan. 6, 1941

2,289,751

Sheets-Sheet 1

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July 14, 1942

R. A. BRENHOLT

DISPLAY RACK

2,289,751

Filed Jan. 6, 1941

Sheets-Sheet 2

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Patented July 14, 1942

2,289,751

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

Claims. (

This invention relates to a display rack.

An object of the invention is the production of a simple and efficient holding and display means for certain articles or goods offered for sale to the public.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a novel and efficient display rack that is especially adapted for holding certain types of containers, and attractively displaying the containers to the trade, while at the same ] time the container can be quickly removed from the display rack, with another container automatically moving into, the position of the detached container, whereby the clerks have always ready at hand a displayed container, which : can be easily removed from the rack.

A still further object of the invention is the construction of a display rack which has one or more adjustable guiding frames, whereby different sized containers, such as spice holders, can be efficiently stored on the rack, and admirably displayed, ready for sale.

It is also to be understood that my invention provides particularly a spice rack for grocery stores. It is a common practice in stores to pile or stack the spice cans on the shelves, which arrangement is neither neat or handy for the clerks. When using my improved display rack the spice containers have their front row always fully exposed and in neat appearance; as one container, of each row is removed, another drops into its place immediately. It is a simple matter to replenish the supply of containers or holders of the spice, as the rack is susceptible of such refilling. However, when the containers or cans are piled on the shelf, the clerk must reach back and pull the old cans forward, placing the fresh supply behind, which is very unhandy, and which is entirely eliminated by using my improved display rack. Of course, it is to be understood that many other goods can be offered for sale on my display rack, such as cigarettes contained in packages, etc.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a display rack constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view.

Figure 3 is a view in front elevation.

2,289,751

DISPLAY RACK

Richard A. Brenhott, Chetek, Wis.

Application January 6, 1941, Serial No. 373,338 (Cl. 211—49)

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the display rack.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view in elevation of one of the locking means for the adjustable guid5 ing frames.

Figure 6 is another embodiment of the locking means.

Figure 7 is another embodiment of the locking means.

Referring to the drawings, in which I have shown the preferred embodiments of the invention, the primary frame I comprises two front uprights 2 and two rear uprights 3. In this embodiment the horizontal rod 4 at each side is an integral part of an upright 2 and an upright 3. The rear uprights 3 are connected and reinforced by crossed rods 5. At each corner of the primary frame i is a washer-like disc 6.

Connected to the uprights 2 and 3, near their upper ends is a fixed guiding frame 7, which frame 7 acts in an efficient manner to stabilize the whole rack. This frame 7 is preferably made of wire or bar-like members, including the parallel rods or bars 8, between each two of which is placed the containers that are to be displayed upon the rack.

There are three auxiliary or supporting frames 9 that include preferably a one-piece rod-like frame 11 to which is fixedly secured supporting rods 11. Each supporting rod is fastened at its rear end to the rear end of the frame i 0, while the front portion of rod I i is bent downwardly at 12 to engage the front end of frame 19, with the outer platform end 13 of the rod bent slightly upwardly, for better receiving and retaining the container 14, dotted lines, Fig. 6. It is to be noted that the platform end 13 extends slightly beyond the outer edge of the guiding frame, or frames, of the rack, Fig. 6.

I In the rack there are preferably two adjustable guiding frames 15. Each adjustable guiding frame comprises a rod or bar-like outer frame 16 which is fixedly secured near its rear end and at its two sides to the two rear uprights 3. The frame 16 has sufficient resiliency to permit it to be raised and lowered at its front end to different positions, to accommodate different height containers in the rack. The parallel rods 17 of the adjustable guiding frame 15 are fixedly secured at their ends to the front and back portions of the frame 16. These spacing rods or bars 17 are arranged similarly to the like rods 8 of the fixed guiding frame 7, Fig. 3.

To retain the adjustable guiding frames in adjusted positions, on the front uprights 2 are

15,

2,289,751 placed sets of racks 18 (Fig. 5) that are engaged by the adjustable frame. Each rack 18 is suitably fixedly secured to the upright, and is provided with a plurality of sockets 19 into which fits the adjustable frame 15. In experience, it has been found that the adjustable frame can be easily sprung or moved out of the registering sockets, in one position, and quickly moved up or down to place the frame in a new position, as clearly indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 1. 10 The advantage of this novel structure resides in the fact that different height containers are often displayed, and it is desirable to have the rack readily adaptable for displaying the different height containers. 15

In Figure 6 the locking means consists in bending outwardly at 20 the upright 2, producing sockets 21 into which is sprung the adjustable guiding frame 15.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 7 the 20 locking means consists of forming sockets 22 in the two front uprights 2, into which the adjustable guiding frame is positioned.

Price tag holders 23 are secured to the rear portion of the fixed guiding frame 7. Each holder 25 23 comprises two uprights 24 formed into integral double clamping loops 25, between which loops 25 a card, sign, or the like can be secured.

Between each two contiguous rods are bars 17, the containers (Figs. 4 and 6) rest upon two sup- 30 porting rods 11. These rods 11 constitute a chute whereby the containers freely slide towards the front of the rack, with the foremost container resting in a well-displayed manner upon the platform ends 13. The clerk or operator can 35 easily and quickly grasp the bottom of the container, pulling it outward, to remove the same, whereupon the container next in position will slide down to the exposed position upon the platform end of the supporting frame 9, ready to be ⁴⁰removed by the quick snapping jerk of the clerk’s hand thereon.

When relatively low containers are desired to be displayed upon a supporting frame 9 the cooperating guiding frame 15 is removed to its 45 lowest position on the cooperating locking means of the front uprights 2. When taller containers are to be displayed upon the same supporting frame, the operator exerts an upward pressure on the front end of the guiding frame, causing the SO front end of the frame to rise up from its lowest position, and move into the higher-up notches, depending upon the position that the operator desires the guiding frame to assume.

In this specification and claims the terms 55 “rods,” “bars,” “uprights,” etc. are used in a broad sense, meaning any suitable structure or member or unit which may be used in carrying out this invention. Further, the word, “container” is used in a broad sense, meaning any package, can or the like that can be exposed upon or vended from the display rack herein described. The containers may hold spices, cigarettes or any other goods offered for sale.

The containers may, therefore, be of metal, 65 paper, or other suitable material, as the display rack is admirably adapted for the efficiently accommodating and exposing for sale any suitable merchandise contemplated in a general way by the foregoing description.

While I have described the preferred embodiments of my invention and illustrated the same in the accompanying drawings, certain changes or alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which, this invention relates during the extensive manufacture of the same and I, therefore, reserve the right to make such changes or alterations as shall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.