US569715A - Display-rack - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 30 mm.) V l W. HENDERSON 8v 0 A. MORSE.

DISPLAY RACK. No. 569,715. Patented Oct. 20, 1896.

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W. HENDERSON 82; 0. A. MORSE.

DISPLAY RACK.

Patented 0613. 20, 1896.

Wv'inasses UNITED STATES PATENT rrinE.

WILLIAM HENDERSON AND ORSON A. MORSE, OF NEXV YORK, N. Y., AS-

SIGNORS TO THEMSELVES, AND HENRY STOCKDALE, OF NEWARK, NEXV JERSEY.

DISPLAY-RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 569,715, dated October 20, 1896.

Application filed MayZS, 1896. Serial No. 592,786. (No model.)

To all, wiwiw it may concern.-

Be it known that we,WILLIAu HENDERSON and ORSON A. )IORSE, residing in the city of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Display Racks or Frames, of which the following is a specification.

The subject of the present invention is a frame or rack for displaying a line of small goods, such as neckties, gloves, hosiery, handkerchiefs, the, and has for its object the production of such a device that can be readily and securely attached on a post, column, frame, corner, or other part which is either not ordinarily adapted for receiving hooks or other suspending devices or which would become objectionably defaced or injured if said devices were driven into the same.

Our frame or rack is of simple and durable construction, of attractive appearance, and, besides, is comparatively light and inexpensive.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and represent what we consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure l is a vertical elevation showing our improved rack or frame applied to a post or upright. Fig. 2 is a plan View of one form of the frame or rack. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken in the plane indicated by the dotted lines 2 2 in Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrow in said figure. These views, Figs. 2 and 3, illustrate the means for connecting the ends of the central clasping-band. Figs. 4: and 5 show modifications. Fig. i is a sectional plan view showing the application of the rack to the corner bar or molding of a show-window. Fig. 5 is a perspective View illustrating the most complete form of the invention, the frame-claspin g bands being bent to present horizontal loops projecting from between the facing-sections and serving to increase the spring of the bands and afford provision for hanging articles.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures Where they appear.

In the construction shown A A refer to upper and lower horizontal metal bands, which are divided at the rear.

lVe will employ supernumerals in connection with the reference-letters to designate dependent and intimately-related parts of the element represented by the general referencecharacter.

The bands A A are of spring character and sufficiently powerful to require some force to spread them. 13 is a band of similar diameter and character and located intermediately of the bands A A. It may be stated at this point that any number of bands may be employed, according to the length in tended and the use of the frame. The free ends of the bands A A terminate in bearing portions or heads A", rounded by curling the metal, as represented, while the corresponding ends of the band B are provided with an extensible spring M, carrying a hook B and a loop B, respectively adapted for mutual engagement.

A series of wires 0 extend vertically, as shown in Fig. 3, and formed with outwardlyprojecting hooks O of the shape illustrated most clearly in Figs. 1 and 3, the lower member of which is inclined to serve as a brace for strengthening the hook. The lower ends constitute extensions turned to form loops 0*, somewhat larger than the hooks C, and which may serve to give a large base-rest when the device is standing on a floor or counter.

The several bands A A and B are strongly connected by a series of vertical sections D, which may be of wood, aluminium, or other suitable material for affording strength and presentin g an ornamental facing and to secure lightness. Generally bamboo will be found satisfactory, and we will refer to them sometimes as bamboos. The sections each have a series of longitudinal slots or openings D sufficiently large to permit the hooks G to project through the same when the section is vertically adjusted on the frame. Rivets D which pass through the bamboo section D, can be riveted to the bands, to the end that the several parts can be firmly and positively secured together.

Externally on the strips of bamboo and adjacent to the points where they are connected to the several bands are the wires E, one end,

E, of each of whichis fastened to the adjacent hand A A or B and is then led to the nearest projecting hook 0, makes a pass around the wire forming the latter, and so on successively with the other hooks, each wire E forming a series of horizontal loops, as indicated in Fig. 2, serving as an additional pro vision upon which to hang various articles.

A preferred arrangement consists in giving increased length to each band A A and 13 and bending each to form a series of horizontal circular loops, as A, which extend around outside of the sections D, as shown in the modification Fig. 5, to receive and be connected to a bamboo section D, slotted and having projections O to enable articles to be hung thereon, as before. The loops A, besides the suspending function stated, will largely increase the spring character of the several bands. 7 The two bamboos at the ends of the bands, which Will be fixed, as on a plain ring, will fasten the sprin gs together securely the same as in other springs.

The construction described in the foregoing constitutes a light, durable, and attractive display-rack that may be sprung into engagement with a post or upright, the strong closing action of the bands causing them to hug the post so firmly that the frame will be sup ported at the proper point on the post.

The articles can be so suspended on the hooks C as tobe displayed to great advantage.

It will be noted that the curved heads A by reason of their smoothly-rounded form may bear against the same with considerable pressure without abrading or marking it.

The ends of the band B are positively connected by distending the spring 13, carrying the eyeB, so that the latter can engage the hook B and the elastic force of the spring will contract the entire band.

The tendency to slip downward when eX- cessive weight is imposed may be effectually provided against by locating a pin or hook I in the post F or other support, and if the latter be of metal this can readily be accomplished by drilling or tapping a small hole therein for the hook. In most cases one of such hooks will be sufficient, as the tension exerted by the weight will cause the rack to cant to a slight extent and cause it to clamp with more force on the post or support.

\Vith a view to increasing the utility as well as ornamental appearance of the rack, a fabric J of suitable character may be arranged within the same to show through the liberal spaces between the sections of hamboo D, and may, if desired, be price-marked or tagged. The fabric may be retained in position by any suitable means. It can be stitched at one or more points to the wires or other convenient parts, or even. be fastened by cement. One arrangement consists in providing the sections D with inwardly-projecting spurs D which engage the fabric body.

The sections D form such rigid connections that when the central band B is spread or forced apart, the bands A A will be opened or spread to a corresponding extent, the movement of all the bands being simultaneous; or if the .strength of the operator is not suificient he can extend the uppermost band most and engage or partly engage it with the pillar or other upright 13, and then proceed to distend the band B, and finally the lower band A, thus effecting the application by installments.

The rack will be made of different diameters and lengths, according to requirements, and can, when preferred,be sufficiently long to embrace the post or support F throughout. When it is intended to be applied to a vertical section or molding F of wood, such, for instance, as forms the corner of a show-window frame, and the diameter of the molding is less than that of the display -rack, the hook-and-eye provision B B is omitted from the end portion of the band B, so that the ends will enter small holes provided in the molding and by the normal spring contraction of the band be retained therein, and thus preserve the whole from slipping down. With the ends of the band B in the position described the curved heads A of the bands A A will bear with such considerable pressure on the rear faces of the molding as will aid the engaged ends of the band B in holding the rack in position. In this application of the invention we pivotally connect to the inner side of the frame curved sections G G, terminating in an eye and hook, respectively, and of such length (see the modification in Fig. 4) that when engaged they will exert considerable tension on the sides of the frame tending to draw them toward each other, and thus effectively supplement the supporting action of the several bands A A and B.

Our frame can stand on the floor or on a bench or table. It may in this condition receive the whole or a portion of the articles which are to be exhibited. After such have been properly attached the frame with its load can be lifted and secured in place, embracing the post or other upright, and, finally, any additional articles may be attached to complete the display.

Modifications may be made without departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages of the invention. The rivets may be sufficiently sunk to avoid scratching the pillar or upright. We can use more than two of the elastic bands A A and more than one of the hooked bands 13. The form and disposition of the connecting-stays C may be varied, it being desirable to employ an arrangement that will be both light and strong.

There maybe several of the bamboo sections D in one or more of the horizontal loops. One is shown as thus provided in Fig. 5.

WVhile we have described our improved display-rack as applied simply to posts and the vertical moldings of window-frames, it will be obvious that we may use any desired number of said racks so applied one above an- ZOO other. e can use such also in connection with special stands provided for the purpose and each comprising a post or upright supported by a suitable base.

Parts of the invention can be used Without the whole. We can attain some of the advantages of the invention by dispensingwith the middle and lower band and having the upper one sufficiently strong and elastic to support the Whole alone.

'We claim as our invention- 1. The combination in a display rack or frame, of a plurality of clasping-bands having elastic contractile force sufficient to clamp a post and thereby sustain the frame and its load, attached together bya series of connections presenting projections adapted to engage the articles to be exhibited, substan tially as herein specified.

2. In a display rack or frame, the combination of one or more clasping-bands having a series of connecting-wires extending up and down, and intermittently bent horizontally to form projections adapted to engage the articles to be exhibited, substantially as herein specified.

3. In a display rack or frame, the combination of a plurality of clasping-bands connected together by a series of rigid and slotted facing-sections, and wires attached to the bands and bent horizontally through the slots to present projections adapted to engage the articles to be displayed, substantially as herein specified.

4. The combination in a display rack or frame having projections adapted to engage the articles to be exhibited, of a plurality of spring clasping-bands A, A, B, connected together, the bands A, A, having curved bearing-heads, substantially as herein specified.

5. The combination in a display rack or frame having projections adapted to engage the articles to be exhibited, of a plurality of spring clasping-bands A, A, including a band B, provided with a connection such as a hook and eye, for holding saidiband contracted, substantially as herein specified.

6. The combination in a display rack or frame having projections adapted to engage the articles to be exhibited, of a plurality of claspin g-bands connected together 13 y facin gsections D, having liberal intervening spaces and an inner fabric exposed through said spaces, substantially as herein specified.

WILLIAM HENDERSON. ORSON A. MORSE.

lVitnesses:

M. F. BOYLE, J. B. GLAUTIoE.

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