US2942831A - Display device - Google Patents

Description

June 28, 1960 w, E, ADAMS ETAL 2,942,831

' DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Oct. 21. 1954 y u ,ZATTORNEY United States Patent C)` ce DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Oct. 21, 1954, Ser. No. 463,734

. '3 Claims. (Cl. 248-307) 'This invention relates to display and storage devices and more particularly to devices which are attached to shelves, counters and the like to further utilize the space available in department stores, markets and similar establishments for stocking and displaying mechandise.

When shelves and counters in shops and markets are lled to`capacity with merchandise, it is common practice to attach racks and similar devices for storing and displaying merchandise to walls, counters, shelves and other surfaces. These devices generally consist of a mounting bracket or plate for attaching the device and a rod or arm extending from the bracket or plate upon which merchandise can be hung or otherwise supported. Most devices of this nature are unsatisfactory in that they require Aa relatively permanent installation. They are usually attached by using screws, nails, bolts, adhesives, or similar means VVand this results in making holes in or otherwise marringsthe surface to which they are attached. Once these devices are installed, removing or displacing them is time consuming and the surface to which they were attached usually requires refinishing. Y

In accordance vn'th our invention the objections to thes devices can be minimized and a simple, eicient display and storage rack for merchandise provided which is quickly and easily installed, removed, or displaced and which does not require the use of screws, nails and the like for installation. The device of our invention is especially suitable in utilizing available display and storage space directly underneath shelves and counters'which heretofore has not always been used. In this connection, the device is readily attachable to appliances in common use in shops and markets.

It is customary practice to aix a price card directly below or above merchandise to indicate the price of merchandise displayed on shelves and counters. As holders for such price cards there is usually provided a length of price channel molding secured to the edge of the shelf or counter. In cross-section, the price channel molding is generally in the shape of a very at U with the ends of the U slanted towards each other thereby forming a recess at the top and bottom of the molding within which the cards denoting the price of the articles of merchandise are placed and held in position. The device of our invention can be quickly and simply installed by attaching it to such channel molding.

To more fully understand the nature of the invention, reference is made to the attached drawings wherein a preferred embodiment is shown. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates an isometric view of devices embodying the present invention attached to conventional price channel molding which is affixed to the front edge of a shelf and further illustrates a way in which merchandise can be supported by the device for display and storage purposes;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines 2 2 of Fig. 1 and illustrates the manner in which the device is attached to price channel molding and further illustrates a way in which the device permits the use of '2,942,831 Patented June 28, 1960 space underneath shelves for display'and storage pur- Poses;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of the rack attached to price channel molding.

In the drawings, there is shown a sheft 1 upon which articles of merchandise are customarily stored and displayed. The front edge of the shelf has a length of price channel molding 2 secured to it by means of screws. In cross-section, the molding 2 is somewhat in the shape of a at U with the ends of the U converging thereby forming recesses 3 at the upper and lower parts of the molding extending throughout its entire length.

A rack 4 consisting broadly of a price channel molding engaging member or clamp 5 and a merchandise supporting member 6 is attached to the molding 2. .Clamp 5 may be a square or rectangular sheet of sheet spring steel approximately twelve thousandths (0.012) of an inch thick bent upon itself substantially in the form of a V to thereby give a flat upper part 7 and flat lower part 8 which together define the V. Preferably, the upper part 7 is made slightly longer than the lower part 8 to 'present an outside surface upon which can be indicated the price or type of merchandise hung on the rack.

Since spring steel is highly resilient, the upper and lower parts 7 and 8 respectively of the clamp 5 can be forced towards each other to form a more constricted V. The clamp resists such forces and when they are removed, the clamp returns to its original shape. This property holds the clamp securely in position in the molding as will be explained below. The ends of the upper part 7 and lower part 8 of the clamp are ilared outwardly away from each other to form lips or prongs 9 which are adapted to engage within the recesses 3 in the molding 2.

The clamp 5, noted above, is preferably made of spring steel. However, it may be made in other forms and from other suitable materials, such as plastic, which possess the desired resiliency. The size of the clamp can obviously -be varied as desired. It is preferred, however, that it be slightly greater than three inches in width at the open end of the V since price channel moldings are usually from about one to three inches wide. A clamp this wide can be used with various sized moldings since the clamp may `be made to assume a narrower V shape by forcing the upper and lower parts 7 and 8 towards each other as noted above.

As a support for articles of merchandise, a rod 10, such as a steel rod one-eighth inch in diameter, may be secured to the underside of the bottom part 8 of the clamp 5. If the rod and the clamp are both made of steel, the rod may be secured to the clamp by spot welding. From the underside of the bottom part 8 of the clamp, the rod extends vertically downwardly, as shown in Fig. 2, a sufficient distance to clear the bottom of the shelf 1 and then horizontally to parallel the bottom of the shelf when the rack is attached thereto. The rod may extend rearwardly under the shelf a distance substantially the width of the shelf. At this point the rod extends vertically downwardly a short distance and is then doubled upon itself to extend towards the front. This permits merchandise to be strung on the rod from the front. The rod may be turned upwardly at the end 11 to prevent articles hung from the rod from slipping od.

The rack may be attached to the molding by grasping the outer surfaces of parts 7 and 8 of the clamp 5 with a thumb and foreiinger of one hand and pressing them together, thus forcing the clamp to assume a narrower V shape. The clamp is then placed into the channel molding 2 with the lips or prongs 9 in alignment with the recesses 3 in the molding. The pressure on the clamp is then released, thereby permitting the prongs 9 lto seat v Y 3 vvithin the molding recesses to the molding.

The foregoing illustration of the invention has been directed to embodimentof the inventionvI/hich has a snglestrai'ght arm or 'r'd for supporting articles of 1 ""r chandise.Y It is apparent, however, that more VthaiUin'fe rod may be attached to the cl'ar'np and that 'they may be in other desirable forms shapes. VItis Vtherefore 'to be understood that other modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made'inthe 'materials o'fjconstc'tion and inthe form of the 'device' illustrated vvithout depart'-Y ing frdmthe scope "of the appended claims.

What is 'claimed is:

an article supporting part having a/fr'ee "'e'nd'terninating under said clamp.

2. A display device adapted 'to be 'removably attached to a lgenerally llat U-shaped price channel molding having upper and lower 'recesses along its length, comprising 3 and thus securing the rack I a substantially V'shap'ed resilient clamp the ends of Which air outwardly to form prongs ladapted 'to engage said Vmolding in said recesses, and an elongated article' slipporting rod 'attached to said clamp, lsaid rod depending from beneath said clamp and lirst extending rearwardly and then forwardly vvith respect to the V ofY said clamp f in vertical spaced lrelationship to form an article supporting part having a free end terminating under said clamp.

3. In combination, a shelf, a at generally U-shaped price channel molding having upper and lower recesses along its length, said channel molding being mounted on the front edge of the shelf, a display device attached to said molding by means of a resilient clamp, said clamp having rearwardly disposed prongs engaging said molding in said recesses, and an `elongated article supporting rod attached to said clamp, said rod depending from beneath said clamp and rst'fextending rearwardly and then forwardly with respect to vsaid clamp in vertical spaced rela'- tionslu'p to forni 'anarticle supporting part disposed in parallel proximity to saidshelf, said article supporting l part having a free end terminating adjacent said clamp. l. A display device adapted t'o be removably attached ReferencesCited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 556,592 Trachsel Mar. 17, 1896 754,503 R'ubicam L Mar. 15, 1904 1,188,227 Woods June 20, 1916 1,223,998 Maynard- 1Apr. 24, 1917 `1,543,295 Parker ;June 23, 1925 1,754,366 Lissy Apr. V15, 1930 2,058,733 Smith Oct. 27, 1936 2,100,017 t 2,141,342 v2,166,708Y Sullivanv July 18, 1939 `2,206,588 Tritt July 2, 1940 2,246,120 Biska June 17, 1940 2,248,916 1941 2,342,542 1944 2,724,509Y 1955 2,761,230 1956 L FOREIGN PATENTS 857,430 Germany Nov. 27,

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