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US 4,800,821 AGranted
Dispensing rack
AssigneeHarbor Industries, Inc.
InventorsThomas J. Nook, Henry G. Oltof
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dispensing rack has a knockdown construction that permits quick and easy assembly and disassembly without any tools. The rack construction is also modular to facilitate varying the size and shape of the rack, and to greatly reduce manufacturing and transportation costs. Hanging row dividers stabilize and separate adjacent stacks of articles. Adjustable shelf jacks and casters provide additional rigidity for the shelves, and facilitate moving the rack from one location to another. A header assembly permits use of common parts to construct a low profile version of the rack.
Claims41
A knockdown dispensing rack for stacked articles and the like, comprising:
- first and second end panels shaped to be supported on a surface in a laterally spaced apart, generally upright, and freestanding condition;
- said first and second end panels including generally closed corner brackets with at least first and second slotted portions respectively, which extend generally longitudinally therealong in a mutually parallel relationship, and define spaces with a transversely measured width within the interior of said corner brackets;
- said first and second slotted portions including at least first and second slots extending respectively therethrough, which are normally, generally laterally aligned;
- at least one shelf adapted to support articles thereon, and including a laterally extending, downwardly opening groove which extends along a substantial portion thereof;
- at least one support bar shaped to extend between said end panels, and being sufficiently rigid to laterally interconnect said first and second end panels, and support at least a portion of said shelf thereon, with said support bar being closely received in said shelf groove to rigidify said dispenser rack;
- said support bar including first and second ends shaped for close reception in said first and second slots respectively, with the width of said corner bracket spaces being substantially greater than the length of said bar ends to permit said support bar to shift laterally therein;
- said first bar end including a first, downwardly opening notch shaped to closely receive therein a lower edge of said first slot;
- said second bar end including a second, downwardly opening notch shaped to closely receive therein a lower edge of said second slot;
- said first and second notches being spaced apart a preselected distance substantially equal to the lateral distance between said first and second slots, such that said end panels are set spaced apart in the upright, freestanding condition for detachable assembly and interconnection in a knockdown fashion by said support bar, with the first end of said support bar being inserted into said first slot past said first notch, and said support bar is being then bodily translated longitudinally in the opposite direction to insert the second end of said support bar into said second slot until said first and second notches contemporaneously engage the lower edges of said first and second slots respectively, thereby facilitating quick and easy assembly of said end panels without either moving the same from their set position, or requiring any tools.
6 more elements
A modular rack construction, comprising:
- a pair of end panels, each having:
- a rigid, flat panel with an upper edge, a lower edge, and opposite side edges;
- a pair of elongated corner brackets rigidly attached to said panel and extending continuously along the opposite side edges of said panel between the upper and lower edges thereof;
- said corner brackets having a generally L-shaped lateral cross-sectional configuration, with first and second faces;
- at least one pair of slotted uprights operably connected with the first faces of an associated pair of said corner brackets on said end panels, and having a plurality of slots extending therethrough;
- at least one shelf adapted to support articles thereon;
- at least one shelf support bar shaped to extend between said end panels and abuttingly support at least a portion of said shelf thereon;
- said shelf bar having opposite ends shaped for insertion into selected slots in said uprights, and including means for releasably engaging the same, and wherein
- said corner brackets are each constructed from a length of elongated stock having a lateral cross-sectional shape that is substantially uniform along its length;
- said corner brackets each include first and second oppositely facing grooves in the first face thereof in which said slotted uprights are selectively received and retained;
- said corner brackets each include a third groove extending along the first face thereof, positioned exterior to said first and second grooves;
- and
- at least one back panel, having opposite side edges shaped for reception in said third grooves of a rearwardly oriented pair of said corner brackets.
10 more elements
In a rack for the type having end panels with at least two shelves extending therebetween, the improvement of an adjustable shelf jack, comprising:
- a sleeve-shaped jack housing, having a first end thereof, and a second end thereof adapted for abutting support on one of said shelves;
- said jack housing including at least one pair of laterally aligned apertures therethrough;
- a jack plate having a first end thereof telescopingly received in said jack housing, and a second end thereof adapted for abutting support on the other one of said shelves;
- said jack plate including a plurality of laterally extending, vertically spaced apart apertures therethrough positioned to selectively align with said pair of jack housing apertures;
- a jack pin shaped for lateral insertion through a selected one of said jack plate apertures and said jack housing apertures, and being operably retained therein to set said jack at a selected height for close reception between said shelves, whereby said jack can be easily adjusted to fit snugly between said shelves to provide secure vertical rigidity therebetween, and wherein
- said jack pin has a two-piece construction with interlocking male and female portions to prevent inadvertent removal from said jack housing;
- said jack plate includes a hanger bracket disposed along the second end of said jack plate, and includes opposite ends with means for releasably connecting the same with a lower portion of said other shelf, whereby at least a portion of said shelf jack is at least temporarily suspended from said other shelf to facilitate positioning said shelf jack;
- and
- said other shelf includes a lower portion, with a pair of barb-shaped grooves extending laterally therealong adjacent and rearward of said other shelf;
- said grooves being shaped to closely receive the opposite ends of said hanger bracket therein, and permit lateral translation of said hanger bracket therein, and permit lateral translation of said hanger bracket along said grooves to facilitate lateral positioning of said shelf jack.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.