US 5,399,005 AGranted

Stackable locking display and dispensing structure

AssigneeSchafer Systems Inc.

InventorChristopher E. Schafer

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Abstract

A structure for the display and dispensing of tickets whereby top and bottom units are demountably attachable in a stackable arrangement. Each unit is of box-like configuration having a floor, a roof, a pair of sidewalls and an open rear end. A door is pivotally attached at a lower portion of the rear end and semi-permanently attachable in an opposite upper portion of the rear end of the unit to serve as a rear wall for the unit when in a closed position. The bottom unit has a front flange on the bottom portion of the front wall extending downward and rearward into a cavity in the top portion of the front wall to provide a forwardly extending lip portion engageable by the front flange of the top unit when the units are in a stacked relationship. The top unit also has a rear flange on its lower rear portion that extends through at least one opening in the roof of the bottom unit. The rear flange extends downwardly and rearwardly such that it may be engaged by a forwardly extending flange on the upper end of the door of the top unit when such door is in a closed position to lock the two units together in a semi-permanent relationship.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A stackable locking display and dispensing structure comprising:

(a) a base unit of box-like configuration having a floor, a roof, a pair of sidewalls and an open rear end, said roof having a rear edge with at least one opening;
(b) a base unit door pivotally attached at a lower portion of the rear end of said base unit and semi-permanently attachable at an opposite upper portion of the rear end of said base unit to serve as a rear wall for said base unit when in a closed position;
(c) a top unit of box-like configuration having a floor, a roof, a pair of sidewalls, a front end and an open rear end identical in shape and size to the base unit;
(d) a top unit door pivotally attached at a lower portion of the rear end of said top unit and semi-permanently attachable at an opposite upper portion of the rear end of said top unit to serve as a rear wall for said top unit when in a closed position;
(e) means for demountably attaching said top unit in association with the base unit in a stackable arrangement, said means including:
(1) first engagement means on the lower front portion of said top unit and an upper portion of said front wall of said base unit that coact to limit the movement of said units with respect to one another;
(2) second engagement means on the lower rear portion of said top unit and the upper end of said base unit door that coact when said base unit door is in a closed position to lock said units together semi-permanently;
and
(f) said second engagement means including:
(1) a rear flange on the lower rear portion of said top unit that is positioned through said least one opening in the roof of said base unit and having a lower end portion extending outwardly to the rear of said top unit;
and
(2) a forwardly extending flange on the upper end of said base unit door for engaging and overlying the lower end portion of the rear flange of said top unit when said base unit door is in a closed position.

9 more elements

A stackable locking display and dispensing structure comprising:

(a) a base unit of box-like configuration having a floor, a roof, a pair of sidewalls, a front end and an open rear end, said roof having a rear edge with at least one recessed portion;
(b) a base unit door pivotally attached at a lower portion of the rear end of said base unit and semi-permanently attached at an opposite upper portion of the rear end of said base unit to serve as a rear wall for said base unit when in a closed position;
said door having an upper end with a frontwardly extending flange;
(c) an upper portion of said front wall having a cavity to provide a frontwardly extending lip portion;
(d) a top unit of box-like configuration having a floor, a roof, a pair of sidewalls, a front end and an open rear end identical in shape and size to the base unit;
(e) a top unit door pivotally attached at a lower portion of the rear end of said top unit and semi-permanently attached at an opposite upper portion of the rear end of said top unit to serve as a rear wall for said top unit when in a closed position;
said door having an upper end with a frontwardly extending flange;
(f) a front flange extending downwardly from the lower front portion of said top unit;
(g) at least one rear flange having a lower end portion extending outwardly from the lower rear portion of said top unit;
and
(h) said top and base units are demountably attachable by placement of the top unit in association with the base unit so that said front flange of the top unit fits into said cavity of said base unit to engage said cavity lip, and said rear flange of said top unit extends through the recessed portion of said base unit roof so that when said base unit door is in a closed position, the flange of said door overlaps the outwardly extending end of said top unit rear flange and thereby semi-permanently secures said units together.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.