Expandable storage and dispensing system

A rack for storing and dispensing articles, comprising:

• a plurality of discrete tray modules, each tray module having a top side for storing and dispensing articles, and a bottom side;
• a first connecting member and a second connecting member adapted to join a plurality of the tray modules in a side-by-side relationship to form a shelf;
• at least one saddle attached to the bottom side of each tray module and adapted to receive the first and second connecting members, wherein the first connecting member passes through the saddles of a first group of the tray modules from one direction and the second connecting member passes through the saddles of a second group of the tray modules in the opposite direction, the first and second connecting members cooperating to join the tray modules of the first and second groups in the side-by-side relationship to form the rack;
• and
• means for preventing relative motion between the tray modules joined by the first and second connecting members.

A rack for storing and dispensing articles comprising:

• a plurality of discrete tray modules, each tray module having a top side, for storing and dispensing articles, and a bottom side;
• a plurality of connecting members adapted to join a plurality of tray modules in a side-by-side relationship to form a bottom shelf and a second shelf, each connecting member including an end portion extending beyond a side of the shelves and bent at a right angle to the connecting member, wherein the end portions of the bottom shelf connecting members are bent in an upward direction while the end portions of the second shelf connecting members are bent in a downward direction;
• at least one saddle attached to the bottom side of each tray module, and adapted to receive a first connecting member and a second connecting member, wherein the first connecting member passes through the saddles of a first group of the tray modules from one direction and the second connecting member passes through the saddles of a second group of tray modules from the opposite direction, the first and second connecting members cooperating to join the tray modules of the first and second groups in the side-by-side relationship;
• a plurality of spacing members adapted to support the second shelf above the bottom shelf, each spacing member adapted to connect with an end portion of a connecting member of the bottom shelf and an end portion of a connecting member of the second shelf, wherein the second shelf is supported above the bottom shelf to allow movement of articles on the bottom shelf;
• and
• means for preventing relative motion between the tray modules joined by the first and second connecting members.

A rack for storing and dispensing articles comprising:

• a plurality of discrete tray modules, each tray module having a front end, a rear end, a top side and a bottom side, wherein the top side is used for storing and dispensing articles;
• a plurality of connecting members adapted to join a plurality of tray modules in a side-by-side relationship to form a bottom shelf and a second shelf, each connecting member including an end portion extending beyond a side of one of the shelves and bent at a right angle to the connecting member, wherein the end portions of the bottom shelf connecting members are bent in an upward direction while the end portions of the second shelf connecting members are bent in a downward direction;
• first and second saddles attached to the bottom side of each tray module, each saddle having a first opening and a second opening adapted to receive a first and a second connecting member, wherein the first saddle is positioned near the front end of each tray module and the second saddle is positioned near the rear end of each tray module and wherein the first connecting member passes through the saddles of a first group of the tray modules from one direction and the second connecting member passes through the saddles of a second group of the tray modules in the opposite direction, the first and second connecting members cooperating to join the first and second groups of tray modules in the side-by-side relationship;
• and
• a plurality of screws, the screws being inserted into the connecting members in positions adjacent to the saddles to prevent the connecting members from being removed from the saddles and to prevent relative movement between the tray modules and connecting members.